Acacia falls on road, hurts no one

CEBU, Philippines - A century-old acacia tree yesterday fell on the national highway in Barangay Poblacion, Badian pinning a motorcycle and a tricycle parked along the road.

Fortunately no one was hurt during the incident but an eatery and portion of a bakery were damaged. The incident also stalled the vehicle traffic on the highway for almost an hour, said Police Officer 1 Randy Balansag.

Balansag said it did not take long to clear the road of the fallen acacia because the personnel of the Department of Public Works and Highways who were having a project nearby responded to the incident.

There were also personnel from the Local Government Unit who helped cut off the branches of the tree. Personnel of the Cebu Electric Cooperative were also quick to repair the damaged power lines.

 It was the second time within the month that an old acacia tree was uprooted because of heavy rains.

Last August 4, jeepney driver Clenio Bontuyan, 63, was pinned to death when an old acacia tree along Sikatuna St. in Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City fell on the PUJ he was driving while waiting for the green light.

The six passengers, including the man seated beside Bontuyan at the front seat, were safe after they were able to jump off from the jeepney upon noticing the falling tree with an estimated weight of 20 tons.

Following the incident, Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama ordered an inventory of big trees and pruning of its branches to avoid similar incident in the future. — (FREEMAN)