PROTEST. Environmental advocates in Bacolod City hold a protest against the felling of fully-grown trees along Araneta Street, beside the old Bacolod airport on Thursday (April 15, 2021). Of the 35 trees, some 26 have been cut, which according to the Department of Public Works and Highways, now implementing projects in the area, has been granted a permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. (Photo by Erwin P. Nicavera)
BACOLOD CITY – The cutting of fully-grown trees along a major thoroughfare here has caused an uproar among environmental advocates, prompting top officials to look into the incident.
Several days after photos of the cut trees made the rounds on social media, campaigners from various groups held a protest on Thursday to “mourn the death” of the 26 trees along Araneta Street, beside the old Bacolod airport.
Among those who gathered at the site of the felled trees were educator Rhoderick Samonte and Fr. Chris Gonzales, director of the Social Action Center of the Diocese of Bacolod.
“A silent protest, a loud voice on behalf of the fallen trees, trees whose value is priceless. Without trees, none of us will live,” Samonte said on Facebook.
He called on the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the city government to admit their mistakes, apologize and make amends.
“Repair the damage that had been done. How? Do not uproot the tree stumps. Instead, water them, heal them, and allow them to regrow and recover,” he added.
Youth leader Elmeer Meeynard Calimpos of Green Alert Network also aired his sentiment.
“We have been fighting for our remaining forest cover in Negros Island yet many can’t still realize the value of trees as our natural climate solution. The old airport trees served as the Negrosanons natural waiting shed while waiting for buses going south,” Calimpos said in his Facebook post.
He added that to restore the damage, they demand that the City Council pass a resolution stating that at least 35,000 endemic trees should be planted.
According to the DPWH-Bacolod headed by District Engineer Jaime Javellana, it has been authorized by the DENR to cut 35 trees, including 15 molave, 12 narra, seven mahogany, and one eucalyptus to give way to ongoing projects.
Of the 35, some 26 trees have been cut, and after Bacolodnons aired their protest, lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya wrote Javellana on Tuesday, asking for an investigation.
“In this light, this representation requests an investigation on the cutting of the trees along the area, an explanation as to why such a course of action was undertaken, and to ensure that the remaining trees in the vicinity remain unharmed,” Gasataya said.
He added that while he “appreciates the commitment of the District Engineering Office to infrastructure development,” there should be “exertions to ensure that infrastructure projects are sustainable and should maintain a balance between development and preservation of nature”.
On Wednesday afternoon, Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he instructed city police director, Col. Manuel Placido, to stop the cutting of trees, and issued an executive order creating a joint committee to investigate the incident.
“The trees were some of the treasures of Bacolod that people marveled at, and we considered those trees as part and parcel of the city,” Leonardia said, adding that “what is most important now is we must make sure a similar incident does not happen again”.
In media interviews, Javellana said they needed to cut the trees for the safety of pedestrians, commuters, and motorists, considering that the roots have already damaged the sidewalk and posed danger to the public.
Ongoing projects include the improvement of the sidewalk and installation of streetlights from the Bacolod public plaza to the Old Bacolod airport with a budget of PHP32 million. (PNA)
