182,900 seedlings planted to replace cut trees

By October 4, 2015Headlines, News

LINGAYEN—An official of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) regional office said about 182, 900 seedlings of various tree species had been planted in about 387.20 hectares in Umingan and San Manuel towns as replacement of trees cut for the road-widening project in Pangasinan along the Manila North Road (MNR).

Assistant Regional Director Gwendolyn Bambalan told provincial board members Monday that this replacement scheme is in compliance with the terms of the memorandum of agreement between the DENR and the Department of Public Works and Highways that undertakes the MNR project.

She said the 182,900 seedlings were replacements for the estimated 1,800 trees supposedly to be cut during the first cutting permit issued by the DENR central office.

The priority areas where the replacement trees would be made are in Umingan, Binalonan, Pozorrubio and San Manuel that have forest lands.

However, no replacement trees were planted in Urdaneta City, whose trees along the MNR were cut, because as “it has no or limited forest lands”, Bambalan said.

She added that the trees cut so far were donated to the following local government units: Pozorrubio (132.83 cubic meters), Sison (178.33 cu. m.), Rosales (4.578 cu.m.), Villasis (82.39 cu.m), Binalonan (180.25 cu.m.). The total volume donated was 672.25 cubic meters all covered with deed of donation, Bambalan said.  

She added they have a standing policy to give priority to the Department of Education as its beneficiary for trees cut in line with an executive order issued by the President.

She said, however, none of the LGUs have reported how the donated lumber was used. – (Tita Roces)

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