Help protect Subic trees, public urged

An official of the Association of Major Religious Superiors of the Philippines (AMRSP) yesterday called for more public awareness and vigilance to ensure that the 300 trees threatened by a casino-hotel project at the Subic Bay Freeport, are protected.

“There should be continued monitoring of the developments with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to preserve the trees,” said Fr. Victor Diolata Jr., AMRSP executive secretary.

Diolata said they helped organized a tour of the freeport last Saturday for representatives of colleges and universities and non-government organizations.

The DENR has revoked the power of the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) to issue environmental clearances and other permits.

Diolata said the 300 trees were still intact when they visited the site of the planned casino-hotel by Korean firm Grand Utopia Inc.

“All the trees are special and we are blessed because of them. Our objective is to make the stakeholders, such as the residents in the area, become aware that the trees are important because they serve as our protection against climate change,” he said.

Diolata said SBMA administrator Armand Arreza “gave his oath to preserve the trees and to follow and implement the environmental laws.” “He gave his word of honor that no trees would be cut,” he added.

In a recent forum at the Columban College in Olongapo City, architect Felino Palafox Jr., who withdrew from the casino-hotel project to protest the cutting of the trees, said, “We just tried to save those trees and we opened a can of worms of corruption.”

“I’m just here to tell the truth – for God, for our country, the planet earth and future generations,” he added.          – With Bebot Sison Jr. and Ma. Elisa Osorio