Hazardous trees removed

CEBU, Philippines - Of the trees in Cebu City listed and identified to be hazardous, 30-40 percent were already removed.

This was reported by Cebu City Parks & Playgrounds Commission when it presented its accomplishments for 2012.

“We have removed 15 trees identified to be hazardous along major roads in Cebu City,” parks administrator Arlie Gesta told reporters.

Gesta added it is usually the barangay heads who will report the location of the trees and file formal request for their office to cut the trees.

“The request is used in securing permits from our CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources) who is also a member of our team. So the response is fast. The trees are removed at the soonest possible time,” commission consultant and chairman Dr. Librado Macaraya explained.

The trees that the office have listed as hazardous include buli, coconut and narra species.  Poblacion and Cogon in Pardo, Tejero, Apas, and Guadalupe are some of the barangays they are closely coordinating with for the removal of these trees that pose danger to pedestrians and residences nearby, Macaraya added.

He claimed that there are few cases involving hazardous trees due to the collective efforts of the barangay and the city government.

“As you can see, very minimal ang reported cases kay ato man nang tangtangon with the barangay’s request. As to those not located along the roads, our city disaster risk reduction department is acting on it. Either way, the government is working to address these concerns,” Macaraya said.

Part of the commission’s task is to maintain 10 parks, nine center islands and roadsides, trimming of trees, plant propagation and nursery maintenance, as well as tree surgeries and rehabilitation.

In 2012, about 2,270 trees along the roads have been trimmed and over 44,000 assorted plants were propagated at the city nursery, Gesta said. —/JPM (FREEMAN)