Mayor: Spare trees along Manila North Road

MABALACAT CITY - Mayor Marino Morales said he will not allow the trees along the national highway (Manila North Road) here to be cut to give way for the road-widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Morales said the century-old trees lined up along the MacArthur Highway have become part of the city’s heritage and serve as a natural canopy benefitting motorists and the general public.

The mayor said the full-grown trees, which are mostly rain trees or acacia, also help greatly by absorbing harmful gas and floodwaters.

In relation to this, Morales said he will ask the Clark Development Corporation to restore the old perimeter road inside the Clark Freeport to serve as an alternate road of private vehicles going to and from the city proper.

Several environmentalist groups and barangay officials here opposed the cutting of the trees when the DPWH started rehabilitating the highway more than three years ago.

Morales said environmental protection is part of his agenda for a better Mabalacat City.

The DPWH is presently continuing its widening project in Barangays Camachiles, Dau, and Mabiga, where the national highway passes through.