Epson advances mission to protect Metro Manila’s vital green spaces

INSIDER SPOTLIGHT

• Epson deepens its environmental push in Metro Manila’s last green lungs
• Employee volunteers plant native trees to help restore La Mesa watershed
• Company ties reforestation to long-term sustainability commitments

Epson Philippines is sharpening its environmental focus as it expands reforestation efforts aimed at protecting Metro Manila’s remaining green spaces, particularly the La Mesa Eco Park —one of the region’s last forested areas and a critical watershed supporting millions of residents.

Why it matters

Urban development has placed enormous pressure on the metro’s ecological balance, shrinking green spaces that naturally filter air, regulate temperature and retain water. 

By reinforcing La Mesa’s forest cover, Epson is positioning its volunteer-driven effort as both climate action and community protection.

Driving the news

The company recently organized a tree-planting activity in Quezon City where employees planted 221 native seedlings across designated parts of the park. 

The species selected were chosen to enrich biodiversity and strengthen degraded sections of the watershed. This follows a similar July activity where 150 seedlings were planted, bringing the total to 371 this year.

What they’re saying

“Caring for the environment is part of who we are as a company,” Masako Kusama, president and director of Epson Philippines, said in a press release on Dec. 5, 2025. 

“Our employees show this commitment through the work we do every day and through activities like this tree planting. Each seedling at La Mesa Eco Park reflects our shared responsibility to protect the natural resources our communities rely on.”

The bigger picture

La Mesa Eco Park is widely regarded as the metro’s “lungs,” providing critical air filtration and supporting watershed health amid dense urbanization. 

Epson’s continued engagement reinforces the idea that corporate environmental stewardship works best when sustained over time rather than delivered as one-off commitments.

Between the lines

• Native trees stabilize soil and enhance water retention in the La Mesa Reservoir
• Regular engagements enable volunteers to monitor progress and support ongoing rehabilitation plans
• Private-sector participation helps fill gaps in long-term conservation work
  

Zoom in

Epson frames its environmental programs as extensions of its sustainability philosophy— pairing technology-driven initiatives with hands-on community work. 

Encouraging employees to participate in conservation activities is part of the company’s effort to build a workforce that sees environmental responsibility as a shared mission.

What’s next

The company is expected to continue strengthening partnerships with conservation groups as it prioritizes environmental action in Metro Manila’s remaining green spaces, focusing on long-term resilience for surrounding communities. —Vanessa Hidalgo | Ed: Corrie S. Narisma