Go signal given to cut trees in Naga school

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources – 7 has given the go signal to cut 79 trees inside a school in Naga City to make way for more classrooms.

Regional spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said they issued the special tree cutting permit followed by the approval and endorsement from the central office.

Half of the 79 trees, Llamedo stressed, have been found to be decayed.

DENR undersecretary for Field Operations Demetrio Ignacio, Jr. issued a memorandum dated September 23 to DENR 7 Executive Director Isabelo Montejo to inform the latter that the undersecretary has granted the clearance upon the request of Naga City Environment and Pollution Control Officer Engr. Jose Ramiro Hilado.

The cutting of the trees, roughly aged seven to 10 years old, with a total volume of 35.43 cubic meters was justified by the permitee as the area where the trees were planted is the proposed site of the city’s track and field oval.

The oval is to be constructed inside Naga City Central School.

Llamedo said the school administration also plans to construct additional classroom building within the same area and requested that the cut trees be donated to them to be used for tables and chairs. DENR has yet to respond to the request.

The special tree cutting permit will be valid within 50 days from receipt of the permit, which was issued on October 24.

The city government of Naga has assured to provide equipment and manpower on November 4, the initial schedule of cutting.

The track and field oval is a joint project of the city government and the Department of Education.

Apart from Naga, DENR also granted tree cutting permits to eight other schools in Central Visayas this year, including the Lawaan National High School in Talisay City, Cebu (five trees), Argao Central Elementary School (1 acacia), Bae Elementary School in Negros Oriental (19 mahogany), Jilabangan Elementary School in Tayasan, Negros Oriental (18 trees), Guihulngan National High School (six trees), Suquib Elementary School also in Tayasan (two trees), Ilaya-Tayasan Elementary School (11 trees), Batinguel Elementary School in Dumaguete (one tree), Compostela Central School in Cebu (five trees).

Following the issuance of Executive Order 23 or the moratorium on the issuance of tree cutting permits, government projects, as well as those approved by the central office provided proper justification, are exempted. – Jessa J. Agua/JMO (FREEMAN)