DENR, city gov’t to assess trees

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Cebu City Parks and Playground Commission will be assessing about 2,000 trees identified to be affected once the construction of the Bus Rapid Transport system commences.

These government agencies are calling the proponent of the Cebu-BRT project to send communication feelers to their offices immediately for the assessment and inventory of the affected trees.

“As of today, we have not received a formal request from the proponent of the BRT. However, since more than 2,000 trees may be affected by the project, there should be a thorough and comprehensive consultation with the concerned LGUs, civil society groups, and other stakeholders,” said DENR-7 information officer Eddie Llamedo.

Llamedo said that clearance from the Department of Public Works and Highway Secretary should be obtained before DENR accepts the applications.

“The city mayor and barangay LGUs should have a certification interposing no objection,” he said, adding that environmentalist groups will also be invited during the consultation.

“But we hope that cutting of trees will be prevented while the project is implemented. Most of the trees to be affected are narra along Osmeña Boulevard,” he said.

Llamedo said that it is during the assessment or inventory that the department would recommend what to do with the trees; whether these are to be earth balled, cut down or just pruned.

CCPPC Chief Arlie Gesta said the office has already advised Rafael Yap of the City Traffic Operations Management fast track the request in order not to stall the P10.6-billion BRT project which is expected to operational by 2017.

“Daghan ra kaayo ang i-earth ball. These trees need to be assessed thoroughly and individually para ma-save nato kay dili baya dali magpatubo,” he said.

However, he said the city can accommodate these trees once earth balled, which will be replanted on empty spaces in Natalio Bacalso, V. Rama, Guadalup, Plaza Independencia, Magellan’s Park, Senior Citizen’s Park, S. Osmeña, Radisson site and Fuente Osmeña Circle.

Meanwhile, Movement for Livable Cebu said they were saddened after hearing reports of the possible cutting or earth balling of trees.

“The cutting of the affected trees for the project is very hard to understand because the city is very polluted, and if mawala ang trees mosamot gyod siya,” said Louella Alix, MLC convenor.

Alix said that MLC has written a letter addressed to the Office of the Mayor and CITOM proposing alternative routes of the BRT in order not to affect thousands of trees and to retain the beauty of the road.

“We oppose sa ilang proposed routes. Nag-propose mi sa alternative routes from Bulacao, Pardo, P. del Rosario, Imus, MJ Cuenco, Cabancalan, and Talamban. We know that these routes are densely populated and the project would be a great help for the people residing the areas,” said Rudy Alix of MLC.

He said that they will meet with Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama and CITOM officials next week to discuss their letter. —/BRP (FREEMAN)