Reyes wants Palma to review interview

CEBU, Philippines - Fr. Robert Reyes is asking Cebu Archbishop Jose Palma to review interviews with the media from which he was quoted as saying that he supports the cutting of the century-old acacia trees in southern Cebu.

In that interview, Palma said he supports cutting the trees down because they were found to be hazardous to public safety after they were found to be "diseased."

Reyes has since been fighting the cutting of the trees, even climbing up one of them in Naga City to show his protest.

Yesterday afternoon, Reyes' group went to the Archbishop's Palace in the hope to see Palma but the archbishop was not present.

Reyes said he believes Palma was only misquoted and it is possible that he may just be agreeing to the idea of pruning the trees. 

"I just gave my letter to him (Palma) asking him to review his interviews because I believe that the archbishop is one of the stand of the church which is pro-life. I believe that he did not say it," Reyes said.

"The statement of the archbishop is very strong kasi, pwede siyang maging basis for the future action of the local government units, and the concerned agencies," Reyes added.

Reyes, together with four members of the Inter-Mountaineering Society ran from the Provincial Capitol to the Archbishop Palace yesterday.

"I also wanted to talk with the governor, but we were so early, so we decided to jog heading the Archbishop Palace," Reyes said.

He said they brought three Narra trees named "Archbishop Jose Palma" trees and planted them in Naga City near where the location of the acacia trees that have been cut down.

He said they will return to Cebu to talk personally with the archbishop, Governor Hilario Davide III, Mayor Michael Rama, the Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, and environmental groups.

"Mas mabuti po kasing magkausap lahat so that we have to understand everything and dapat walang agency should be dominating," he said, adding that everyone should consider the trees before implementing projects.

Reyes likened the cutting of the acacia trees to the killing of people who are already old and sickly. — (FREEMAN)