Environment office told to submit report on earth-balled trees

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) for a report on all earth-balled trees, their transfer locations and monitoring for the period beginning January 2020 to present.

Councilor Joel Garganera sponsored a resolution with regard to the matter which was earlier approved by the City Council.

Earth-balling is a measure by which trees are transferred or relocated to a different area, keeping most of its root system intact and undisturbed in order to maintain the genetic makeup and historical value of the said tree.

Garganera said monitoring the different earth-balled trees in the city allows for its continuous protection and maintenance, as it is the main purpose of its earth-balling.

Last March, he submitted a proposed ordinance related to earth-balling of trees.

The proposed ordinance is entitled “An Ordinance providing for the Regulation of earth balling, cutting or removal of trees within the territorial jurisdiction of the City of Cebu, whether for residential, commercial, or public purpose, and providing for the procedure and requirements to be complied with and providing penalties thereof.”

“It is imperative for the CCENRO to submit an updated report on the status of the earth balled trees, the location where they are transferred and the monitored deaths of the said trees in aid of legislation of the abovementioned ordinance,” said Garganera.

Section 16 of the proposed measure provides for the monitoring and evaluation of the affected trees. It shall be the duty of the CCENRO to conduct an independent monitoring and evaluation and submit a report for such as to the status and suitability of the transferred trees in its new environment to be submitted to the committee for feedback purposes.  — KQD (FREEMAN)