Philippine property giant Megaworld Corporation has been bullish about developing premier townships with world-class amenities all over the country. But more than having real estate development, the company is bent on pursuing sustainable living and care for the environment. All these are greatly underscored and visible at The Upper East in Bacolod City. Read more about this exciting new eco-development in Western Visayas.

First Lady Liza Marcos at The Upper East

In all their developments, Megaworld Corporation is careful to work with and around the environment, preserving existing trees and also replacing unhealthy ones.

Last MassKara Festival weekend here in Bacolod City, the company marked a milestone for its 34-hectare township, The Upper East, by welcoming First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos. They dedicated a Bitaog tree in her honor inside the township.

Planted inside the township near twin acacia trees that are about 100 years old, the native Bitaog tree symbolizes the rejuvenation of this historic location in Bacolod City.

Endemic to the Philippines and the rest of Southeast Asia, the Bitaog tree (scientific name: Calophyllum Inophyllum) is revered for its strength, beauty, and fragrant flowers. It usually acts as a natural barrier along coastal areas because of its ability to withstand typhoons and other calamities.

Cementing the Thrust on Environmental Conservation

Megaworld is working to develop its properties while preserving the environment.

“We are privileged to dedicate this Bitaog tree in honor of First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos. We are delighted to have this tree become a part of our developmental efforts here in The Upper East. As we have shared in the past, the location of this township is the former site of the Bacolod-Murcia Milling Company (BMMC), a historic institution that the First Lady’s father used to manage as head of operations. Dedicating this tree to the First Lady is very symbolic for us as it will soon witness the rise of Bacolod’s modern central business district, just like how the century-old trees currently inside the township witnessed the history of BMMC together with Mr. Araneta himself,” says Kevin L. Tan, chief strategy officer, Megaworld.

That same afternoon, President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. also visited The Upper East where he unveiled the township marker.

Preserving the Environment Inside The Upper East

Inside The Upper East, Megaworld is preserving about 100 native trees as part of its thrust to highlight sustainability and care for the environment in its township developments across the Philippines. Moreover, they keep on planting more, as a lot of the old trees already have infestation due to neglect.

Plans are also in place to make The Upper East into a “smart development,” where residents and guests of the township can enjoy free WiFi in select locations or explore the entire development either by riding e-vehicles or traveling from one point to another on foot with smart crosswalks.