Plans to cut remaining trees on Pampanga highway scored

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Philippines – Environmentalists in this province yesterday accused officials of the environment and public works departments of treachery for reviving plans to cut the remaining acacia and other trees to give way to the widening of a 18-kilometer stretch of the MacArthur Highway here toward Angeles City.

The Save the Trees Coalition (STC), led by environmentalist Cecile Yumul, expressed surprise over a notice allegedly from Alfredo Tolentino, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), saying that his agency is set to cut 36 acacia and other mature trees along the highway.

Tolentino was reportedly in a meeting yesterday and could not be reached for comment on the issue.

“The real beneficiaries of the project are DPWH, DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) and other government officials as we all know that most of the projects in government are tainted with corruption,” the STC said in a statement.

Last year, some 100 trees were cut along the highway, some portions of which were being widened to six lanes, but the STC raised a howl and saved the 36 remaining trees.

In a “tree summit” in July last year, officials of the DPWH, DENR and the city government made a promise to the STC that the remaining trees would no longer be cut.

“During the summit last year, the DENR vowed that no cutting of trees would be done without any public consultation and without consulting the STC. Also, the City of San Fernando also declared that the cutting of the trees was against its policy to make the city a habitat for human excellence,” the STC said in a statement.

“Like thieves, they are cutting the trees one by one at night. Gone are the remaining trees in Barangay Camachile at Pilar Village, as well as those in front of the San Fernando Hospital, those at the PTT gas station, as well as those at the church of San Agustin. We have awaken to only the roots of the trees remaining,” the STC said.

The STC cited a study by the Pampanga Medical Society showing that cases of respiratory ailments have increased since the 100 trees along the highway were cut last year.

The group also said flooding worsened in Barangay Sindalan and other parts of this city since the trees were gone.