Fr. Robert Reyes is interviewed by reporters about his reaction on the trees that will be affected by the BRT project.
cdn photo/michelle joy l. padayhag
Running priest Fr. Roberto Reyes is urging the Cebu City government not to cut the trees that might be affected by the Cebu Bus Rapit Transit (BRT) project.
Reyes said he was planning to tie white ribbons on the affected trees to convey a message to the Cebuanos “to protect their trees.”
“They consider (trees) as obstacles of progress; therefore, we must cut those trees and that is absolutely wrong. Just like cutting down Gina Lopez because she is an obstacle to mining operation,” Reyes told the reporters.
In an interview yesterday, Reyes mentioned that in other countries, roads are narrow because trees are preserved and recognized as national treasures.
“Dito wala tayong (Here we have no) treasure eh, even important heritage are being demolished,” Fr. Reyes told reporters.
The BRT corridor will start from Barangay Bulacao in the southern part of Cebu City to Barangay Talamban in the city’s north district.
The 2,166 trees along the BRT route as identified by the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office include Indian, Narra and Mahogany.
A public hearing is set on May 17 at the Rizal Public Library to discuss what to do with the trees that will be affected by the BRT project.
“If Cebuanos will not oppose it, the 2,000 trees will be dead. We are for development but the environment should be preserved and that is the real sustainable development,” Fr. Reyes added.
The running priest said he is also willing to talk with Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña and ask the mayor not to cut the trees along the BRT route.
“If we are ancient Filipinos who believe each nature has a soul, then 2,000 souls of trees will wait for you after life,” Fr. Reyes said.
Though there will be 350,000 seedlings and saplings available to replace the affected trees, Fr. Reyes said that is still not a justification to cut trees.
“Trees are environment and heritage,” the running priest added.