Capitol, LGUs to help: Cutting of Acacia trees Tuesday

CEBU, Philippines - Following a coordination meeting yesterday, the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 have finally agreed on the date to cut nine century-old acacia trees located by the roadside in southern Cebu.

After a thorough discussion, DPWH-7 finally committed to lead the cutting activity in the City of Naga, where century-old acacia trees are prioritized for posing danger to the public on August 5.

Aside from DPWH-7 and DENR-7, officials of the local government units of Naga, San Fernando town, and Carcar City also attended the meeting.

“We have come to an agreement that the trees in Naga City will be cut this August 5. We will start at 9 o’clock in the morning to give way to students and employees. Hopefully we do not cause much traffic,” said DPWH-7 Director Ador Canlas, during a press conference that followed the closed-door coordination meeting.

Canlas said there is a possibility that cutting the trees may take more than a day since what are involved are huge trees.

After earlier expressing concern over the tree replacement ratio set by DENR-7 of 100 tree species should be planted for every tree it cuts, he said yesterday that they are committed to cooperate.

This was after the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources pledged to contribute by providing the needed seedlings for the planting of 900 replacement trees on August 12 in Tuyan, Naga.

The Naga City government has promised to participate in the clearing by taking care of traffic management together with the Naga Police Station.

The city expects heavy traffic during the cutting of the trees since what would be affected is a major access road to and from south Cebu.

The city government also said it would help monitor the growth and survival of the replacement trees for a period of three years.

“Naga City will help monitor and maintain the tree replacement. We have identified a timberland in Tuyan, Naga as the planting site,” said Naga City Councilor Carmelino Cruz Jr., who is also involved in the city’s disaster preparedness.

DPWH-7 and the Capitol are tasked to provide the necessary equipment, such as chainsaws and trucks.

DENR-7, represented by Forest Management Services Regional Technical Director Eduardo Inting, has approved the revised delegation of tasks in terms of tree replacement, monitoring, and maintenance.

“We are amenable as long as replacement and monitoring is assured. That is our main concern—that these trees be properly replaced as per guidelines. It is good that we have all come to an agreement that trees cut should be replaced and that the PENRO has assured as of the seedlings needed for the planting,” Inting said.

He echoed the sentiments of DENR Regional Executive Director Isabelo, who approved of the agreement during yesterday’s coordination meeting.

“I updated RED Montejo on the progress and developments in the meeting. And he does not object,” Inting said.

A memorandum of agreement involving DENR, DPWH, and the LGUs concerned, including Naga City and the Cebu Provincial Government is being prepared.

Meanwhile, running priest and environmental advocate Fr. Robert Reyes yesterday went to Naga City and wrapped white ribbons around the century-old trees, which were diagnosed by environment authorities as diseased and hazardous.

Reyes pushed for the saving of the trees as well as tree replacement and ensuring the survival of newly-planted trees.

While he would have wanted that no tree be cut, Reyes said he is not opposing the cutting of the said trees provided that proper replacement and maintenance leading to full survival is assured.

Canlas said Reyes putting white ribbons around the trees and campaigning for tree replacement is a “very good gesture.”

“We are all for the saving of trees but if these are posing danger then they cannot be saved,” Canlas said.—(FREEMAN)