Some PB members okay with cutting century-old trees

CEBU, Philippines - Some members of the Provincial Board are in favor of the cutting century-old acacia trees affected by the road widening project in Naga City.

The PB invited representatives from the Department of Public Works and Highways and Department of Environment and Natural Resources during their regular session yesterday in order to be apprised of the situation.

Jose Cleo Cary Colis, chief of the Forest Resource Development of DENR-7, informed the body that they are now conducting comprehensive assessment for the remaining trees that will be affected by the project.

There are 155 trees of various species affected by the road widening project 25 of which are century-old acacia trees.

Of the 25 acacia trees, nine are considered hazardous and were recommended for cutting with endorsement from the provincial government and the local government of Naga City.

PB members who are frequent users of the road favored cutting the century-old trees.

PB Member Wilfredo Caminero said the road going south needs to be widened for the safety of the motorists, he asked what should prevail between sentiment and safety.

Board Member Julian Daan also pointed out that trees have a lifespan and will fall down while the road will stay forever.

“Ang kahoy dunay kinutoban, matumba gyud na,” Daan said.

Project Engineer Marilyn Ojeda reported that roots of some acacia trees are already surfacing from the ground and the trunks are hollow inside.

Board Member Sun Shimura suggested a detour of the other lane of the road to keep the trees.

Ojeda said that the suggestion was already considered. Board Member Jose Ribomapil Holganza Jr. also suggested to name the portion of the road after the late governor Dionisio Jakosalem in honor of his planting the said trees. 

Vice Governor Agnes Magpale said that after hearing updates from DENR and DPWH, the body may come up with a stand on the issue. Meanwhile, the Philippine Earth Justice Center, Inc. (PEJC) condemned the proposed cutting of the trees.

PEJC co-founder Gloria Estenzo-Ramos said that this project, which accommodates the wishes of First District Rep. Eduardo Gullas is grossly insensitive to the desire of the Cebuanos to preserve their natural heritage, amid the degraded environment and the climate change impacts that we are highly vulnerable to.

“Can our conscience allow the tree-cutting rampage considering that Cebu has a forest cover of less than one percent, and ranks 8th among the top twenty provinces in the country highly vulnerable to landslides, with environmental laws not even implemented?,” the statement read.

Gullas, in a separate interview, said “it is not my will and not my wish” to cut the trees.

Gullas said the decision will all depend on DENR and DPWH being the ones truly behind the road widening project, as he said his job is merely to source out the funding. He reiterated his earlier statement and said inasmuch as he wanted to save all these trees, it is always the two departments that have the last say. with Garry B. Lao/BRP  - THE FREEMAN