CCNERO says plant more, instead: Request to cut trees denied

MANILA, Philippines — The Cebu City Council has denied the application for the cutting down of at least 23 trees along A.S. Fortuna Street in Barangay Banilad following an inspection by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resource (CCENRO) that reported that the trees pose no threat to motorists.

The legislative body made the decision following a motion by City Councilor Joel Garganera, committee on environment chairman, who sought the adoption of the May 21 CCENRO inspection report.

The request for the cutting of the trees was made by Cebu City Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE)-South Executive Director Kevin Anthony Sanchez to CCENRO last May 5.

“I have observed that certain trees on the center island have grown to a point where they are obstructing visibility and potentially posing risks to both pedestrians and motorists,” Sanchez said.

“Given their unidentified nature, it becomes even more imperative to take action to ensure the safety and aesthetics of the surrounding environment,” he further said.

Sanchez said that while they understand the importance of preserving the city's greenery and biodiversity, the trees have become a “hindrance” rather than an “asset” to the community.

CCENRO, though, said that when its team checked the street on May 21, there was no indication that the trees in the center island caused any obstruction to pedestrians or motorists.

“As of the time of inspection, the trees did not pose any risk or danger to the lives and properties within the vicinity of the center island. It is also noted that these trees are located securely inside a newly painted picket fence,” CCENRO said.

During the inspection, the office made an inventory of all the trees, measuring their height and diameter, and noting that saplings of Talisay trees were thriving under the Mahogany trees.

“It is also observed that the immediate vicinity of the center island needs brush cutting and enhancement activity,” CCENRO said.

CCENRO reported that the trees actually do not pose any immediate threat or risks to people or to vehicles, adding that what needs to be done is brush cutting, trimming, and enhancement activities like planting of additional trees.

It reminded that Cebu City is one of the five cities in the country identified as a pilot city recommended by the Biodiversity Management Bureau to implement an “Urban Biodiversity Management Plan.”

“With the scarcity of areas to be planted with trees and or plants in order to expand the city's overall canopy cover, center islands are identified as one of areas for the greening and biodiversity management in Cebu City's urban areas,” CCENRO said.

CCENRO also cited Presidential Decree No. 953, which deemed it unlawful for any person to “cut, damage, destroy, or injure naturally growing or planted trees of any kind,” as well City Ordinance No. 2623, which made it illegal for any person to cut or remove trees on public or private land.

“Therefore, the team recommends not removing the trees identified during the inspection; instead, the team strongly recommends enriching the center island with native trees to improve the biodiversity of the area and to help mitigate the effect of climate change,” it said, to which the City Council agreed.