THE Bacolod City Council has authorized the City Engineer's Office (CEO) to apply for tree cutting permit for the widening project of Lupit Bridge at Lacson Extension, an official said on Sunday, February 24.

Councilor Cindy Rojas, chair of the City Council committee on environment and ecology, said the tree cutting permit is part of the requirements of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The road widening project has two phases.

Rojas said City Engineer Belly Aguillon complied the requirements such as endorsement letters from Community Environment and Natural Resources Office, Environment and Natural Resources Office, and the affected barangays.

The councilor noted that under Republic Act 7160, Section 16 of Chapter 1 of the Local Government Code, “every local government unit shall exercise the powers expressly granted, those necessarily implied therefrom, as well as powers necessary, appropriate, or incidental for its efficient and effective governance, and those which are essential to the promotion of the general welfare.”

The CEO is expected to cut the trees in Barangays 39, 40, and Singcang- Airport.

Aguillon also submitted a letter for the proper utilization of the trees, she added. (MAP)