DPWH seeks Gov’s help to remove trees
ROAD HAZARDS: DEAD TREES
LINGAYEN—Portions of the highway along the Manila North Road (Rosales-Sison stretch) have been widened but there still remains one thing that needs to be done but can’t just easily be done – to remove all hazards to motorists
According to District Engineer Emmanuel Diaz, he had written a letter to Gov. Amado Espino Jr. seeking his intercession to allow the removal of the dead cut trees that remain on the extended portions because they pose danger to the public.
He said while DPWH is mandated to remove all hazards but its hands are tied because it committed to respect and abide by the Pangasinan Provincial Resolution prohibiting the cutting and removing of trees along roads in Pangasinan.
The provincial board of Pangasinan took up on Monday Diaz’s letter during their regular session and the members of the Committee on Environment have been asked to submit their recommendation in reaction to Diaz’s letter.
In his earlier letter to Espino dated July 14, Diaz already expressed fears that the trees along the highway would not be able to withstand strong winds making these hazardous both to residents and motorists.
Fernando Estrada Jr., the Community Environment and Natural Resources Officer based in Urdaneta City had also written to Diaz about his observation that some girdled trees, particularly the mahogany trees, along the MNR particularly inside the Binalonan and Pozorrubio section have already died and while others were already dying.
“This is to inform you of their state which pose danger to motorists especially during the height of typhoons,” Estrada wrote.
Diaz said their DENR permit to cut has long expired and he had received instructions to comply with the provincial board’s resolution prohibiting further cutting of trees in the province.
He said only a clear go-signal from the provincial board with the help of the governor can clear the highway of the dead trees that remain as obstructions on the extended portions of the road. (Tita Roces)
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