CEBU, Philippines - Mayor Michael Rama is eager for the construction of the controversial P1.2-billion Ciudad project in Barangay Apas to begin because it will bring development to the city.
The mayor instructed his staff to coordinate with the concerned parties involved in the project so they can discuss and look for ideas on how to solve matters delaying the implementation of the project.
Rama was dismayed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources rejected the application for Environmental Compliance Certificate filed by the Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp., the developer of the project, due to some technicalities.
The DENR officials said that the developer failed to apply for a permit to cut some of the trees that will be affected by the project within the province-owned lot along Gov. M. Cuenco Ave.
Jonji Gonzales, spokesman for the developer, said “while the protection of trees is important to save mother earth, there is also a paramount need to balance development and the environment.”
Based on two tree inventories carried out it was found out that there are individual 332 trees belonging to various 23 species inside the proposed project site. Of those trees less than 10 percent are premium and endemic trees, others are short-lived and industrial.
Gonzales said that based on their study, these non-endemic trees have a lifespan of less than 10 years and have very little carbon sink capabilities. Carbon sinking is the capacity of trees to capture carbon emissions to ensure clean air and reverse global warming.
“Even amateur foresters and blue-blooded environmentalists usually say its better to have 1,000 square meters of premium and endemic trees in some places than 10,000 square meters or a hectare of short-lived, non-endemic or non-premium trees with very minimal carbon capture capabilities,” he added.
The City Planning and Development Office had already issued a locational clearance to the Fifth Avenue Property Development Corp. for the Ciudad project.
It was Cebu City South District Rep. Tomas Osmeña who filed charges before the Ombudsman against DENR officials to stop them from issuing a permit to the developer of the project.
But Gonzales said their company is ready and willing to earth ball every single affected tree like what the city did with some of the old Acacia trees in Plaza Independencia during Osmeña’s term as mayor were they were earth balled transferred to the South Road Properties. (FREEMAN)