Sharing the Cebu CSO Position Paper highlights prepared for the Naga Tree Reassessment meeting in Capitol yesterday afternoon:
“We are for Sustainable Development, beneficial for all people and our planet.
“We recognize that in the midst of our present climate emergency “with our planet warming at an alarming rate, threatening wildlife extinction and rising sea levels, trees are our most powerful weapon in the fight against climate change.” The benefits of trees, from carbon sequestration to soil stability and biodiversity enhancement are established facts.
“The trees of Naga are resources for all; the oxygen the trees produce crucial for all, not only for those in the City of Naga. Therefore, we stand for saving, not cutting our trees, including those in Naga.
“The road widening project in Naga has been completed. Yet, there are those who want to cut the trees because they claim the trees are hazardous for people, especially for the motorists.
“Most of the 32 trees, however, that are the subject of tree cutting are now located in the sidewalk. They do not pose, or should not even have appeared to pose any hazard had proper, regular care and maintenance been applied since 2014, soon after Dr. Ernesto Militante, a certified tree pathologist and retired Professor of the University of the Philippines Los Baños, made his professional recommendations.
“If those responsible for the road widening project sincerely had the welfare of the motorists and people, we ask why did the authorities not do anything since 2014 about the so-called tree hazards they raised then and are again raising now in 2019? Why did they not, since 2014, follow Dr. Militante’s recommendations to 1.) Remove concrete a foot around tree base, 2.) Prune top heavy and dead branches, 3.) Treat pruning wounds, 4.) Monitor rehabilitated trees, and 5.) Conduct surgery?
“Except for the present seven trees recommended for cutting and replacement and together with 28.9 thousand signatories, let us save the trees of Naga and protect people!
“Trees, a crucial solution to climate emergency, should not be sacrificed for road widening. Why cannot road widening projects incorporate trees, or the environment for that matter, in its design?
“In the first place, for whom are widened roads built? Were the affected Naga residents and communities surveyed and informed/consulted about the project’s positive/negative impacts? Was the welfare of the pedestrians considered?
“We ask because the present widened roads do not have any pedestrian lane that would allow for safe crossing. The lives of the residents, especially the children and the elderly, are endangered by poor planning. Did the concerned agencies conduct safety training for the affected residents?
“We ask these questions because we are puzzled. The road widening project is completed. The so-called hazards to motorists are not really problematic if the trees are immediately treated and maintained. Why, then, is there a lingering and urgent insistence on cutting the trees?”
“Finally, we are for collaborative partnership for sustainable projects beneficial for our people, our beautiful island home, and our planet. Shall we all move forward together, united, in creating our peaceful, prosperous society and planet for our people?
“Can we start by halting the tree cutting in Naga and elsewhere in Cebu? Can we have the questions and requests made in this position paper promptly addressed?
“Can we propose that CSO representatives, selected by the CSOs, be officially included in the planning, deliberation, approval, implementation, and monitoring phases of major infrastructure projects for the province of Cebu?”
“We are committed with you all in collectively creating a better Cebu for all.”