DPWH to seek approval on proposed revision of plans to save trees

BACOLOD. The cut trees along Abuanan Road in Bago City. (Carla N. Cañet)
BACOLOD. The cut trees along Abuanan Road in Bago City. (Carla N. Cañet)

THE Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in the Fourth District of Negros Occidental through Project Engineer Jerry Garbanzos will seek the approval of their regional office regarding suggestions to revise the development plan to save the trees that symbolized the Philippine-Japanese friendship ties forged 30 years ago.

Bago City Mayor Nicholas Yulo has gathered the concerned government agencies such as the DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Organization of International Spiritual and Cultural Advancement (Oisca) represented by couple Shigemi and Thelma Watanabe and concerned citizens who raised opposition to the cutting of trees through the mainstream and social media.

Watanabe expressed his disagreement with the cutting of trees along Abuanan Road in Bago City as they were instrumental in planting and growing those trees that shaded the streets as the tree branches overlapped each other.

"When they cut those trees, it seems that they also destroyed the friendship of both countries which is painful," he said.

He also proposed the narrowing of the widening of the Sum-ag-Abuanan Road to save the trees.

Yulo also echoed the sentiments of those concerned citizens who really made waves in the mainstream and social media.

Gigi Campos, a concerned citizen, and her group asked why cut those trees when they have not yet obtained the necessary permits.

Garbanzos explained that there was proper coordination among the agencies concerned in the local level, citing the certification and resolution from the Barangay Council of Barangay Tabunan, Bago City endorsing such development project.

They also sought the approval of the DENR where they also furnished them the inventory of trees.

Fourth District DPWH district engineer Genaro Panganiban wrote City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) head Joan Nathaniel Gerangaya for a permit, relative to the implementation a road widening project in the area.

There were 292 trees composed of 135 acacia, 133 kamunsil, 10 coconut trees, eight mahogany trees, and six Indian mangoes.

Cenro has also recommended it for approval.

It is our practice that when the local agencies recommend or endorse the project, they just proceed with the implementation of the project as not to affect the timeline of completion of the project, Garbanzos said.

There was also a proposal that the standard 3.53 meters of each side for widening should be reduced between 2 to 1.5 meters to the save the trees.

Garbanzos said that if that will be the case, there will be a reclassification of the project because that size will no longer be considered as widening.

This project has been funded already and if there are revisions, there is a possibility that the funds intended for the approved project will be reverted to the main source of funds.

He said that he cannot promise how their regional office will take these suggestions because normally when they implement development projects and there are trees that are within their road-right-of-way, they usually cut those trees as long as it is backed with permits.

Prune properly

Yulo said they proposed that the DPWH should properly prune the cut trees and apply it with pruning paints to prevent bacteria from developing in the trees.

Furthermore, the moratorium or suspension of work stays.

They promise to come back on Thursday to inform Yulo regarding the decision of the DPWH regional office.

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