Showdown looms over more cutting of trees
SAN FERNANDO-DAGUPAN ROAD WIDENING
LINGAYEN–A storm is brewing anew in Pangasinan over the impending cutting of trees along the San Fernando-Dagupan road.
The provincial government is reportedly poised to object to the plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to proceed with its highway widening project along San Fernando-Dagupan road at the expense of the trees.
The provincial board has indicated it will not endorse the application of DPWH seeking permit to cut trees along that stretch before the DENR, a copy of which was furnished the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Dagupan.
The board members are reportedly keen on standing pat on its previous resolution opposing the cutting of any standing trees affected by road widening projects that started with the Manila North Road.
Field personnel of the DPWH who attended the KBP Forum in Dagupan last week, estimated that more than a thousand trees are set to be cut down for the widening of San Fernando-Dagupan road.
They said that for each tree that will be removed, 100 seedlings will be planted in identified forest plantation sites.
“For how can the highway widening be effected if the trees are still there?” asked Diosdado Lomibao, who represented Second Highway District Engineer Rodolfo Dion in that forum.
He said the tress along the right of way must be removed for the safety of motorists.
When asked why tree balling cannot be made an alternative to cutting trees, a condition that the DENR imposed and DPWH agreed to for the Manila North Road, Assistant District 3 Engineer Edith Manuel said the technology is too expensive and is not easily available in the Philippines.
All DPWH personnel however said the decision on the matter is left between top officials of DPWH and DENR.
The provincial board learned that all the trees along the Manila North Road were indiscriminately cut and not a single tree was earth-balled to the dismay of the Save the Trees Movement led by Fr. Robert Reyes, the running priest, and environment protections advocate Virginia Pasalo. (Leonardo Micua)
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