IT is now up to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) whether to earthball or harvest five mature trees at the University of the Philippines Cebu (UP) Lahug campus in order to continue the construction of the seven-storey Science building.
The construction of the building was halted last May due to the presence of the trees, which include acacia, neem tree and rain trees.
Officials from UP Cebu and Dakay Construction, contractor of the building, met with the representatives of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and Barangay Lahug councilor Hernando Gandionco yesterday afternoon at the conference room of Lahug barangay hall to discuss about requesting a permit from the DENR to earthball or harvest the trees so they can proceed with the construction of the building for the College of Science.
It was discussed during yesterday’s public hearing that UP Cebu can obtain the permit to earthball or harvest the trees from DENR-7 but they must first get an endorsement from CENRO.
The school is also required to submit geotagged photos of the affected trees accompanied by their scientific names.
“We are also requesting (UP Cebu and Dakay) to donate 100 saplings for every tree they transfer,” said CENRO representative Bebener Cabrera.