THE City Government of Bacolod will not remove the center island along Narra Avenue Extension and Tindalo Avenue at Shopping area in the city.
This was stressed by Councilor Carlos Jose Lopez, chairperson of the city council committee on environment, after he led the public hearing Thursday, November 14, at the City Council’s session hall.
Lopez said the hearing was attended by personnel of City Engineer’s Office (CEO), and City Planning and Development Office (CPDO) where it was recommended that the island and trees in said areas should remain.
“If ever there are trees that will be removed it’s because they are the ones that are actually causing damage of our roads,” he said.
Lopez noted that the CEO is also not in favor of the removal of the center island, but they will cut down about nine trees that are damaging the roads.
“Only two percent of the trees will be removed and the CEO will beautify the area and plant some trees that will not damage our roads,” he said.
Lopez will submit his committee report on their next regular session next week.
The City Council earlier approved a resolution, which was authored by Councilor Dindo 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He said the island along Narra Avenue Extension and Tindalo Avenue seems to have outdated its original purpose and these spaces may be used to maximize road use.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, also said that she’s happy that the center island will remain in the area.
She said most of the residents along Shopping were also opposing the removal of trees because it’s a big help in the environment.