53 more trees to be cut for Talisay road project

CEBU, Philippines- At least 53 more trees are at risk of being cut to pave way for a road widening project in Talisay City.

Personnel of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-7 and the Department of Public Works and Highways-7 have recently conducted an inventory and assessment of the trees that will be affected by the P80.8-million widening project in Sitio Camp 2, Barangay Jaclupan in the said city.

Forest ranger Lucito Sardañas and foresters Arnold Omandam and Lucio Cañete Jr. have identified the affected trees as Mahogany, G-melina, Kolo, Lanete, Caimito and Balabog, with equivalent volume of 7.99 cubic meters.

DPWH-7 director AdorCanlas requested for an inventory as their basis to apply for a permit to cut.

These trees are on top of the 54 that were earlier illegally removed from the same area without DENR’s concurrence. The area is identified as a timberland, being part of the Central Cebu Protected Landscape.

DENR is set to file a case against contractor QM Builders before the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office next week for cutting the trees in violation of the provisions of sections 77 and 78 of Presidential Decree 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines.

DENR-7 spokesperson Eddie Llamedo said they will also demand payment for the 54 trees earth-balled amounting to over P240,000. The amount was based on the totaled 7,000 tree board feet at P30 per board foot.

With the violation, DENR also issued a cease and desist order against QM Builders last July 9 for cutting the 54 trees without permit.

DENR has yet to lift the CDO pending the contractor’s submission of requirements.

DENR-7 director Isabelo Montejo said DPWH, as the implementing agency, has to secure a certification from its secretary.

“Let us be clear on this. CENRO Cebu City cannot accept the special tree cutting application from the DPWH without a certification from the DPWH Secretary that the said application has been vetted or thoroughly reviewed,” Montejo said.

 Apart from certification, DPWH-7 is mandated to conduct meetings or public consultations with concerned stakeholders in the area to discuss the importance of the project, the removal of the trees, and tree replacement, and to resolve potential issues that may be raised, including an endorsement from the Protected Area Management Board.

Other requirements are application letter, photographs of trees to be removed, sketch map showing the location of trees to be removed, endorsement of local government unit concerned, environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and minutes of public consultation.

“We should consider the social acceptability component here and the communities should be consulted,” Montejo said. (FREEMAN)