IN THE midst of public outcry over the death of 49 trees, Moldex Realty announced another 60 will be felled next year to give way for development.
Rey Ignacio Diaz, consultant to the board for Moldex, said during the city council meeting Monday, June 3, at least six dozen more trees will be cut to make way for two more buildings to complete their seven-building plan, asserting all permits to cut trees in the area were given a green light by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the city mayor’s office.
“The permit in question now is our 4th permit, the first permit was in 2013. All of these are issued by the DENR. Our third permit, three years ago, at that time there was a moratorium in the Cordilleras, all cutting permits were forwarded in Diliman in Quezon City [and was granted],” Diaz said.
Diaz added the entire project spans 3.1 hectares and consists of seven buildings including a three-story underground parking building which will accommodate 300 cars, fulfilling the mandate to provide space for parking by the building code of the city.
No permits has been issued nor requested for the plans for more buildings next year.
The Moldex consultant said building in the area of development will only consist of less than 10,000 square meters.
“It was most convenient for us to scatter the parking slots all over the property but that alternative will be adverse to all other parties concerned because we have to cut all of those trees so we came up with a single parking building so we can put all parking there and save the 70 percent of property. The roof deck is to be converted into a park, you won’t see the parking building which is underground ... we are helping to preserve as much as possible, we are just seeking the indulgence of stakeholders in the 1 hectare but the 2 hectares will be a virgin park reserve,” Diaz added.
Diaz said of the 3.1 hectares or 30 percent is the built up areas (site of the 7 buildings) while the 70 percent (2.1 hectares) consists of open spaces to be used as a natural park reserve, picnic ground, hiking trail with 200 trees which will not be touched.
The city council is investigating the death of 49 trees under the development areas of Moldex in a bid to scrutinize of the guidelines of the Local Government Code and the Environment Code were followed in the tree cutting.
The incident has triggered an online petition to President Rodrigo Duterte to stop the cutting of all trees in the city which has gathered thousands of signatures.