THE Mandaue City Government is looking into the possibility of outsourcing tree-cutting services to third-party contractors, following the death of a six-year-old boy who was fatally struck by a falling palm tree in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia on April 1, 2025.
City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan said in an interview on Monday, April 7, the City is now studying the option of contracting professional services to handle hazardous trees, instead of relying solely on the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).
“We are studying the possibility of sourcing out the service because tree-cutting is not easy, especially when the tree is surrounded by houses, live wires, or other structures,” Calipayan said.
He explained that palm trees, in particular, are heavy and dense, and improper removal could result in property damage or injury; thus technical expertise is required.
Risks
The City is also considering allowing barangays with the proper capability to handle such tasks, provided they coordinate with CDRRMO and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office.
Calipayan noted that the current process of tree-cutting is complicated and technical, as even identifying whether a tree is dead or poses a risk can be difficult without proper training.
“There are many factors to consider before cutting down a tree. We can’t just cut immediately. Sometimes, it’s hard to even determine if a tree is already dead,” he said.
If the City moves forward with outsourcing, the contractor will be responsible for providing the necessary equipment and manpower.
The City will also evaluate costs based on the type and number of trees to be removed.
Calipayan said that CDRRMO still has a backlog of trees that were already flagged for removal.
The initiative to explore third-party contractors came after the death of Christian Quilaton Jr., who was hit by a decayed palm tree while playing near the road.
The City is currently conducting an investigation into the incident, particularly why a request to cut the tree, submitted in November 2024, was not acted upon.
The investigation is being led by the City Legal Office, the city administrator, and the mayor’s office.
Calipayan said the City hopes to complete the probe and determine accountability as soon as possible. / CAV