5 Manipis trees set for cutting

CEBU, Philippines – At least five “hazardous” Mahogany trees within the school campus of Manipis Elementary School will be cut down after officials secured special tree-cutting permits from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7.

City information officer and disaster risk head Vince Monterde yesterday said the trees, upon the recommendation of the barangay officials of Manipis and approval from the DENR, must be removed to avoid incidents of trees falling on students and teachers.

“Mamutol mi og kahoy sa Manipis Elementary School karong Wednesday kay naa nama’y approval from DENR,” Monterde said, adding that the school head of Manipis and the barangay officials secured DENR permits amid concerns on the safety of students.

Statutes provide that prior to the approval of the cutting of trees, the DENR will conduct an assessment on the condition of the trees.

A certification from the school principal, barangay and local government unit chiefs indicating their non-objection to the tree-cutting have to be obtained.

Special tree-cutting permit applications will then be forwarded to the DENR central office for approval. Regional offices are not authorized to issue such permits.