ABS-CBN Foundation ends stewardship of La Mesa Ecopark after over two decades

La Mesa Ecopark will now be under the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System (MWSS) after being managed by ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. for almost 25 years. 

ABS-CBN and the nature reserve organization made the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 8, stating that the stewardship will officially end on Feb. 15. 

The transition is in line with projects like the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) to develop a sustainable watershed by 2047 “as sources of clean and safe water.” 

“The handover aligns with the Integrated Watershed Management Roadmap for Angat, Ipo, and La Mesa (IWMRAIL) led by MWSS, which ensures the protection and preservation of the three watersheds,” the official statement read. 

They also advised the public that the La Mesa Nature Reserve and the La Mesa Ecopark will be temporarily closed starting Feb. 12 until further notice. 

It also assured that affected employees will receive severance packages during the closure. 

“The La Mesa Nature Reserve will be turned over to the Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewerage System – Corporate Office, or MWSS-CO, and its concessionaires," MWSS Administrator Leonor C. Cleofas, CESO IV said in the statement. 

"In addition, the La Mesa Ecopark, an ecotourism, recreational, and educational facility for the public, shall be turned over to MWSS-CO, in cooperation with the local government of Quezon City."

The stewardship is among ABS-CBN Foundation Inc.’s initiatives for protecting the environment under its Bantay Kalikasan arm. One of the key people who led the rehabilitation and renovation of the eco-public park was the late environmentalist Gina Lopez.