The partnership between ASEZ and the Villar Foundation, which joined forces for environmental protection in January, is now translating into action on the ground. On June 10, ASEZ held the 10th ASEZ Cleanup Campaign with the Villar Foundation at the Las Piñas–Parañaque Wetland Park (LPPWP) in Las Piñas City, the Philippines. The activity put into practice the two organizations’ continued commitment to environmental protection under the memorandum of understanding (MOU) they signed on January 28 this year.
Through the MOU, ASEZ and the Villar Foundation agreed to cooperate on regular activities aimed at conserving biodiversity in LPPWP and raising environmental awareness in the local community. Moving beyond the signing of the agreement, university students have continued to visit the site and take direct action to protect its ecosystem, and the two organizations’ cooperation has developed into concrete environmental action. LPPWP, where the activity took place, is a major coastal ecosystem located along the East Asian–Australasian Flyway and provides habitat for a wide variety of migratory and resident birds. With diverse ecosystems including mangrove forests and tidal flats, the wetland plays an important role not only in conserving biodiversity but also in reducing flood risks and strengthening climate resilience.
Taking the ecological characteristics of the area into consideration, ASEZ members carried out the cleanup in accordance with the wetland park’s environmental protection guidelines. While collecting waste, they took care to minimize their impact on wildlife and the surrounding environment. Their efforts went beyond simply cleaning the area, reflecting an understanding of and respect for the ecological value of the protected wetland.
Cynthia Villar, Chairperson of the Villar Foundation, thanked ASEZ members for their participation, saying, “Protecting the environment is a shared responsibility for all of us. We must participate, serve, and take action together. Every small effort can create lasting change for future generations.” An ASEZ member said, “Taking part in activities like this reminds me that our environment is not an unlimited resource. All of us who live on this planet have a responsibility to care for the place we call home. It is meaningful to be able to take direct action to protect the environment together with ASEZ.”
Building on their MOU, ASEZ and the Villar Foundation continue to carry out regular environmental activities while broadening the scope of their cooperation. This cleanup campaign is another example of how their agreement is being translated into concrete environmental action in the field. Through continued partnership and hands-on efforts, the two organizations plan to encourage greater community participation in environmental protection and contribute to conserving natural ecosystems for future generations.
