EDITORIAL – Of trees and the need to remove them

There has never been any public outcry regarding the removal of different trees growing along the two roads in barangays Capitol Site and Kamputhaw in Cebu City to give way to the expansion projects by the Department of Public Works and Highways.

At least 14 trees, mostly narra and mahogany, were cut down by the DPWH in Central Visayas along M. Velez Street and F. Sotto Drive as the agency is racking up the widening of these roads. The DPWH said the removal of those trees has the blessing of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

Aside from urban planner engineer Nigel Paul Villarete, a former City Hall official, there has been no strong opposition from local officials. Environmental advocate and Law professor Benjamin Cabrido Jr. said his class is preparing a case against the DPWH and DENR.

Well, we understand the deafening silence of our local officials. It seems that for them nothing will be gained from any effort to vehemently resist the move removing those trees considering that it’s useless to spruce up their political image since the elections have already been held.

However, if the elections were coming, these politicians would have been scrambling for means in their offensive against the removal of those trees. But any interference now would gain them no political advantage.

But that is not really the point here. That is because whether or not those politicians and environmentalists would come to unite and lodge legal action against the removal of the trees obstructing the flow of road traffic is a matter that is already too late.

On the other hand, the DPWH has a valid reason for removing those trees since, aside from the widening projects, their continued presence is putting motorists at serious risk, something that environmentalists and others who oppose it should consider.

Cutting down those trees, especially those in the middle of M. Velez Street, may have been a condemnable act. But the obligation to widen the road and prevent any accident arising from their presence far outweighs the need to fight for the right to spare them.