15 trees set for cutting

MORE than 15 trees were recommended to be cut along the drainage canal of Dacudao Avenue, an official from the Davao City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro) said.

Cenro chief Engr. Elisa Madrazo, speaking in Thursday's I-Speak Media Forum at the Davao City Hall, said this was based on the report on tree tagging they had conducted last year, which was submitted to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

"Ang uban man gud didto (trees) gi-anay na, so we have to take them out bago pa mag-spread out (Other trees there have been infested by termites so we have to take them out before it spreads out)," she said.

Since the report is with DENR, she said that it depends on the proponent, the Davao City Drainage Management Unit (DMU), to follow-up and secure a permit for the cutting of trees.

"The report was already submitted to the DENR because they will be the one to give the permits so it's up to the project proponent to follow it up with the DENR," Madrazo said.

DMU chief retired Colonel Yusof Jimlani earlier said that the trees fence off the canal, giving them a hard time cleaning the silt.

Madrazo also said that if ever DMU will finish cutting and cleaning the canal, they will conduct landscape verification and adding of other trees "appropriate" in the area.