City Council orders inspection of trees

CEBU, Philippines — The Mandaue City Council has approved a resolution requesting for an inspection of trees within Mandaue City's territorial jurisdiction.

The resolution, authored by City Councilor Jennifer del Mar, is requesting Mandaue City Environment and Natural Resources Office (MCENRO), the Mandaue City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MCDRRMO), and the General Services Office (GSO) to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Visayas (DENR-7) for the inspection.

The council, through the resolution, stated the need to inspect the condition of trees located within Mandaue City to ensure they do not pose any risk or danger to the safety of Mandauehanons and to avoid untoward accidents.

The approved resolution also encourages Mandauehanons to report any trees situated in privately-owned land within the city that may pose an imminent danger to life or property, so the MCDRRMO can conduct the necessary inspections.

The concerned agencies and offices are tasked with determining whether or not the trees pose imminent danger to life or property and to take prompt and appropriate action based on the inspection results.

In line with the constitutional mandate to uphold the people’s right to a balanced and healthful ecology, the City of Mandaue reaffirms its commitment to environmental protection through the enforcement of City Ordinance No. 15-2021-1620, which seeks to preserve and nurture trees on both public and private properties.

Additionally, Sections 7 and 8 of the ordinance allow for the immediate cutting of trees if it is determined that they pose imminent danger to human life and/or property.

This resolution comes after a tragic incident in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia, where a decayed buri tree collapsed and killed a six-year-old boy on April 1, 2025.

As reported, the city government is still conducting an internal investigation to determine accountability for the delay in acting on a prior request to cut the very tree that caused the fatal accident.

Mandaue City Administrator Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan said that the MCDRRMO, MCENRO, and the barangay are among those being investigated.

Calipayan explained that the reports will be consolidated based on interviews conducted by personnel from the mentioned offices.

He added that they have not set a specific deadline for the investigation, as it depends on the availability of the individuals to be interviewed. However, they are making every effort to finish it immediately.

“As soon as possible, this will be resolved and a resolution will immediately be issued by our special investigating team,” said Calipayan.

Following the incident, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) began cutting down similar trees in the area.

To recall, Mayor Glenn Bercede issued a memorandum creating a special investigation team composed of representatives from the Mayor’s Office, the City Administrator’s Office, and the City Legal Office.

Calipayan said the investigation began last April 4, 2025, with the team conducting interviews and collecting sworn statements.

The final report from the investigation team is expected to include recommendations for appropriate actions by the city.

Bercede, as reported, assured the public that those responsible for the failure to act will be held accountable, especially in light of the death of six-year-old Christian Quilaton Jr. due to the uncut tree. — (FREEMAN)