Press Release
May 22, 2015

Villar SIPAG signs greening program deal with Cavitex

Villar SIPAG (Social Institute for Poverty Alleviation and Governance) and Cavitex Infrastructure Corporation (CIC) today signed a memorandum of agreement for the greening program which will be implemented at the Manila-Cavite Express Way and the Las Piñas-Parañaque Critical Habitat and Ecotourism Area (LPPCHEA).

Sen. Cynthia Villar, Villar SIPAG director, and Jose Luigi Bautista, CIC president, signed the agreement at PEATC Compound, Cavite Expressway, San Dionisio, Parañaque City.

"We are very happy to partner with CIC in the worthwhile undertaking of protecting LPPCHEA and the greening of communities surrounding Cavitex. More than the ornamental function of trees, trees are also our best defense against flooding and storm surges," Villar said.

The Nacionalista Party senator noted that the MOA signing marks the World Biodiversity Day, celebrated annually in May 22, to raise awareness on the importance of the Earth's biological resources to humanity's economic and social development.

Under the agreement, CIC will provide the seedlings to Villar SIPAG for the latter's tree planting activities at LPPCHEA and/or shores of Manila Bay.

Villar has been in the forefront of efforts to protect and preserve the mangrove forest at LPPCHEA, a critical habitat as declared by Presidential Proclamation Nos. 1412 and 1412-A, and a Ramsar-listed Wetland of International Importance.

CIC manages the 14-kilometer Manila-Cavite Expressway, also known as Cavitex or Coastal Road, which is located along the shores of Manila Bay starting from the south of Roxas Boulevard in Parañaque City, southwards through Las Piñas City, and ending in Kawit, Cavite and owned by the Public Estates Authority Tollway Corporation;

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility Program, CIC maintains a mangrove nursery from which it could obtain mangrove seedlings that could be planted along the shores of Manila Bay, including LPPCHEA.

According to the MOA, the greening program is "with the end in view of not only preserving the expressway for the safety of motorists but also of cleaning up, rehabilitating and preserving the waters and shores of Manila Bay pursuant to its voluntary commitment to participate in government and private programs and endeavors relative to environmental conservation."

"Whereas, Villar SIPAG is capable of and willing to organize tree planting activities wherein participants will plant mangrove seedlings to be provided by CIC in identified areas suitable and appropriate for mangroves along the shores of Manila Bay, including LPPCHEA," part of the MOA read.

CIC also partnered with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- National Capital Region, represented by Regional Dir. Lourdes Wagan, for the provision of technical support in the maintenance of its mangrove nursery.

An agreement was also signed between CIC and the Armed Forces of the Philippines, 7th Marine Brigade, represented by Gen. Benjamin Espiritu and the Binakayan National High School, represented by its principal, Adela Talactac. The soldiers and the students and school officials will participate in the tree planting activities of CIC.

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