Mayors, LGU employees show support to tree-cutting
LOCAL government officials and employees of four towns and one city in eastern Pangasinan have rallied to show support to the Manila North Road widening project, which entails the controversial cutting of decades-old trees along the old highway.
The mayors of the towns of Rosales, Villasis, Binalonan, Pozzurubio, and Sison and Urdaneta City led groups last March 11 in their respective localities to voice their backing on the road project.
Urdaneta Mayor Amadeo “Bobom” Perez IV said the road widening improved the traffic flow in the city, which attracted more investors to put up businesses.
Mayor Artemino Chan of Pozorrubio pointed that since the roads in his municipality were widened, vehicular accidents were reduced.
“Before when our national highway was just two-lane, it was accident prone but now we are confident that it is now safer somewhat, especially for our students who usually walk along the highway”, Tan said who was accompanied by some students aside from the municipal employees.
Binalonan Mayor Ramon Guico III claimed that one of the biggest causes of deaths in his town is road accidents along the stretch where some old trees were located.
“We want to make the roads safer. We in Binalonan are in favor of progress,” Guico said.
At least 1,200 out of the 1,829 listed trees have already been felled and the Department of Public Works and Highways has temporarily halted cutting after the 90-day permit issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) expired last February 1.
Meanwhile, former 5th District Rep. Mark Cojuangco, who has earlier owned responsibility for the intiative to widen the highway, said one of the biggest things holding back economic development is inefficiency as he maintained his defense of the cutting of the trees.
Cojuangco, speaking during the resumption of the inquiry before the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) on March 10, said “The intangible personal and economic effects over time will be incalculably positive and large. It will also greatly increase efficiency, lowering per vehicle fuel consumption to more competitive norms.”
SCHOOL CHAIRS
Mayors Perez and Abrenica also clarified reports that the lumber from the chopped trees are in the hands of “one influential person”.
The two, along with Pozorrubio Mayor Artemio Chan, said the logs are still in the custody of the local government units and will be used to make chairs in public schools.
Other mayors who joined the rally were Susan Casareno of Rosales and Mina Joy Pangasinan of Sison.
The mayors also agreed that the cut trees should be replaced through vigorous tree-planting in the municipalities.–Dada Austria and LVM with report from PIO.
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