Palma favors tree cutting

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma has added his voice to those wanting to cut the century-old acacia trees that dotted the highway in the cities of Naga and Carcar and the town of San Fernando in southern Cebu.

He said the trees pose danger to the public, and recalled an incident in Barangay Zapatera, Cebu City two years ago, when an acacia fell on a public utility jeepney driver, instantly killing him.

The archbishop said that while he respects the advocacy of environmentalists and running priest Robert Reyes, there is also a need to weigh things.

Reyes had described the cutting of old and sick trees as similar to the killing of those who are already old and sickly.

Palma, though, said that if the issue is on the widening of the road, a study should be commissioned to come up with alternative solutions that exclude the removal of the trees.

Cutting of the trees was temporarily stopped after Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje ordered DENR-7 to recall the special tree cutting permit issued to the Department of Public Works and Highways-7.

Later, DENR-7 also issued a statement stating that prior to the said order, cutting of the trees actually has approval from their higher office, contrary to reports that came out.

DENR-7 Public Information Officer Eddie Llamedo said their central office knows the operation on cutting of trees because it is the one that gave the clearance for the issuance of a special tree cutting permit to DPWH-7.

He said, though, that the diseased trees that they identified for cutting down were those that cannot be cured.

DENR-7 also expressed its willingness to have a third party assessment to verify its findings since environmentalists from different places have already come to stop cutting of the trees.

Dumanjug Mayor Nelson Garcia has also joined in, saying he would request the League of Municipalities of the Philippines to help pressure DENR to continue the cutting of the trees.

He, too, said he is planning to sue DENR for cancelling the special tree cutting permit it earlier issued. — /RHM (FREEMAN)