BACOLOD City officials clarified Friday, October 18, that the City Engineer's Office is still conducting a study to consider the removal of an island along Narra Avenue Extension and Tindalo Avenue at Shopping area in the city.
Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, chairperson of the City Council committee on environment, said they are open for any improvement to address the traffic situation in the city, but it is not yet final that the city will remove the center island along Shopping area.
"Let's wait for the result of the study of the City Engineer's Office (CEO), but for me, I'm not in favor to remove the trees. We can improve the area but not to remove the trees," he said.
The City Council earlier approved a resolution, which was authored by Ramos, requesting the CEO through the office of the city mayor to consider the removal of the island.
Ramos earlier said the increasing numbers of vehicles cause traffic congestion in the streets of Bacolod City, and traditional and creative solutions have been instituted to improve the over-all traffic condition in the city.
He said the island along Narra Avenue Extension and Tindalo Avenue seems to have outdated its original purpose and these spaces may be used to maximize road use.
Councilor Cindy Rojas, chairperson of the City Council committee on health, said they will wait for the result of the study of the CEO, but she is not in favor to remove the trees in the area.
She said most of the residents along Shopping were also opposing to remove the trees because it's a big help in the environment.
"The city will improve the area especially, the center islands. The CEO already started cleaning the area for the planting of some plants," she added.
Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran also said earlier that he is not in favor of removing the trees along Shopping.
Last week, some netizens also aired their sentiments on social media, opposing the removal of the island in the said area.