BRT to affect 2T trees

CEBU, Philippines - Following the issue on the cutting of century-old trees in the south, environmentalists might soon have their hands full after it was revealed around 2,000 trees along the route of Cebu Bus Rapid Transit system may be affected once the mass transport system construction starts.

This was contained in a Department of Transportation and Communication’s environmental impact assessment final report.

Most of the existing trees, vegetation and landscapes that may be affected by construction along the proposed BRT corridor are part of the city greening program.  The most important tree species inventoried are Narra trees numbering to about 749 as reported by Woodfields Consultant Inc., which DOTC commissioned to conduct the BRT study.

Areas directly affected by the project works include Fuente Osmeña, which has over 100 trees, and Osmeña Boulevard.  Cebu City Traffic Operations Management Executive Director Rafael Yap said these trees will soon be cut, trimmed down or earth-balled. He clarified that the memorial fountain at Fuente Osmeña Circle will not be affected by the construction.

“Yes the trees will be cut. But the Fuente circle will not be touched but rather it will be improved,” he said.

Yap added that the mitigation plan for the trees and the environmental management guidelines will be incorporated in the terms of reference for the detailed engineering design consultants “to ensure that environmental management plans are prepared as part of the detailed engineering design”.

Yap said the detailed engineering design is set to commence early next year and run for eight months.

For the tree-cutting and replanting guidelines, these will be agreed with Department of Environment and Natural Resources prior to commencement of construction “to avoid indiscriminate tree-cutting”.

Pursuant to Presidential Decree 953, which was a memorandum from the DENR secretary, providing for the “Guidelines and Procedures on the Planting, Maintenance and Removal of Trees in Urban Areas and in Areas Affected by Government Infrastructure Projects”, there is currently a moratorium on the cutting of all trees.

Any exemptions will need to be obtained from DENR and Department of Public Works and Highways and compensatory planting will be required.

The P10.6-billion BRT project is expected to be operational by 2017. The BRT corridor will be around 23 kilometers and will run from Barangay Bulacao in the southwestern end of the city to Barangay Talamban in the north. There will be 31 passenger interchange terminals including those in Talamban, Bulacao and Cebu Business Park.

The route will pass four intersections: Osmeña Boulevard/Colon Street, V. Rama Avenue/M. Velez Street, M.J. Cuenco Avenue/J. Luna Avenue; and Gorordo Avenue/Salinas Drive. Pocket lanes will be built in different locations in the city.  — /BRP (FREEMAN)