DENR: Cutting of century-old trees needs our approval

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources yesterday issued a statement on the plan to cut down trees along the national highway in Carcar to give way to the road widening project.

“Heritage trees, those with historical and cultural significance as certified by the National Historical Institute or by other appropriate agencies, and landmark trees as certified by the concerned LGU shall be preserved, nurtured and applied with tree maintenance practices as necessary,” said DENR-7 director Maximo O. Dichoso.

In a press statement, DENR cited Presidential Decree (PD) No. 953, which says, “Requiring the planting of trees in certain places and penalizing unauthorized cutting, destruction and damaging and injuring on certain trees, plants and vegetations”, and the policy of the State to protect and advance the right of the Filipino people to a healthful environment and to establish a holistic ecosystem approach in public places and certain areas was made mandatory and/or voluntary for environmental protection purposes, enhancement of the aesthetic value of the area and contribute in addressing impacts of climate change. The cutting of trees and other vegetation and conduct of tree maintenance practices in urban areas and in areas to be covered by government projects such as, road right of ways, road widening and other infrastructure projects shall primarily be in the interest of public welfare and safety.”

“Removal of trees in urban areas can be through earth-balling or cutting, however, when establishing infrastructure projects, removal of the trees shall be the last option and the design of the projects shall complement the presence of existing vegetation,” Dichoso said.

Accordingly, a road widening project affecting alleged century-old trees would start from Naga City to Carcar City and would cost about P27 million. It is undertaken by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

“The application for the removal of trees causing obstruction to building construction and other infrastructure projects like road widening and road right of way shall be filed at the nearest DENR office,” Dichoso added. The requirements are application letter, photographs of trees to be removed, sketch map showing the location of trees to be removed, endorsement of local government unit concerned, and environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and minutes of public consultation concerning the removal of trees,” Dichoso pointed out.

“The CENRO office concerned shall cause the conduct of the necessary inspection and evaluation of the area including the inventory of trees covered by the application to determine the necessity to remove, prune or trim the trees,” he added.

Generally, trees and other vegetation, both planted and naturally-growing, with diameter of 15 centimeters and below may be earth-balled. The transplanting of earth-balled trees shall be the obligation of the permittee, to be conducted in an area jointly pre-identified with the DENR. They shall maintain and protect the transplanted tree for a period of at least one year.

Meanwhile, around 300 from the academe, local government units, national government agencies, business sectors and other stakeholders are expected to participate in today’s launching of “Tarp-to-Tree” project and community tree planting in Barangay Inagayan, Naga City, Cebu in celebration of the world water day (WWD).

The DENR-7, Aboitiz Equity Ventures Inc. and Barangay Local Government Unit of Inayagan, Naga City Cebu will sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the “Tarp-to-Tree” project which includes tree planting, development and maintenance of a five-hectare tree plantation in Barangay Inayagan, Naga City, Cebu. — /WAB (FREEMAN)