CCENRO asked to do check obstructions to electric posts, wires

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Council has requested the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to make a field survey in all city streets and national thoroughfares within the city’s territorial jurisdiction.

The City Council wants the streets and thoroughfares with “tree branch-road obstructions” adjacent to electrical posts and growing through and between electrical wires identified.

The Visayan Electric Company (VECO) is also urged to implement a “Tree-Trimming Operation for Safety Roads” in selected areas, as determined from the field survey of CCENRO.

A resolution on the matter sponsored by Councilor James Anthony Cuenco was approved by the City Council. Last August 4, 2021, the council requested the CCENRO to trim all trees obstructing the city streets and national thoroughfares for the safety of all motorists, especially the large public utility vehicles (PUVs), modernized public utility jeepneys (MPUJs), and public utility buses (PUBs) by conducting a “Tree-Trimming Operation for Safety Roads”.

Cuenco earlier said that several MPUJ units plying selected streets in the city have reported complaints of damages due to street obstructions such as outgrown branches of trees.

The CCENRO, headed by Engr. Editha Peros, has commenced the tree trimming operations in selected areas since August 12. They are being assisted by the Parks and Playgrounds personnel.

Cuenco said upon CCENRO’s inspection, many city streets and national thoroughfares have trees with “tree branch-road obstructions” adjacent to electrical posts and some with branches growing through and between electrical wires.

“There is a need to implement these tree-trimming operations with the assistance of the Visayan Electric Company (VECO) to prevent accident and damage to electrical posts and wires in selected city streets and national thoroughfares,” said Cuenco.

The council also earlier exempted these operations from the numerous requirements and processes under Section 3 of Presidential Decree No. 953, stating that the prohibition against tree-cutting and pruning is not applicable when such activities is for public safety. — FPL (FREEMAN)