Flood control projects affect 15 trees

CEBU, Philippines — At least 15 trees along the Tejero Creek and Lahug River are set to be uprooted by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to give way to the flood control projects in the city.

Councilor Jerry Guardo, chairman of the committee on infrastructure, said the DPWH thru the Unified Project Management Office-Flood Control Management Cluster (UPMO-FCMC) has already applied for a tree cutting permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Guardo said a resolution from the City Council endorsing the cutting of the trees is among the requirements of the DENR in the issuance of the permit. He urged his colleagues in the council to pass the required resolution to hasten the implementation of the flood control projects.

“DPWH is asking for a cutting permit, and I am also appealing to the council na ma aprubahan ni na project kay ultimately ang objective ani kay ma sulbad ang flooding sa Colon, sa downtown area,” Guardo said.

The project includes widening and dredging of the Tejero Creek and Lahug River to accommodate as much water to prevent the city streets from flooding.

An ocular inspection was already done and it is allegedly hard to have the trees earthballed and transfer them somewhere else. According to Guardo, these trees are rooted in the riverbanks thereby blocking the water flow.

He said the P218-million project will help address the flooding in the downtown area during heavy downpour.

“This will help the Tejero and Lahug River, unya mo-connect na ni sa Bonifacio. So hopefully mopaspas na ang flow once ma-complete na ang construction, we can expect na ma-reduce ang flooding, so ang ato direction ani kay masulbad nato ang flooding,” Guardo said.

He said the concerned barangays have already approved the permit with no objection.

Guardo said that during the public hearing the residents supported the project.  FPL (FREEMAN)