The trees stay.
After being admonished for uprooting a large “balete” tree, which later died, public works officials in Cebu City said they will no longer touch seven remaining trees in M. Velez Street.
Instead of removing them as obstructions in a road widening project, the trees – four narra, two mahogany and a talisay tree – will remain where they are, said officials of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).
The agency will instead make room for the trees in the road’s engineering design.
One of the narra trees was described by Cebu City’s Parks and Playgrounds Commission (PPC) executive director Dr. Librado Macaraya as the “biggest” narra tree he has seen in Cebu with a trunk that is 1.10 meters wide.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 confirmed that it’s the biggest narra tree based on their record showing a diameter of 153 centimeters.
“We don’t plan to transfer the remaining trees anymore. We will just incorporate them in the road design,” said Lito Catubig, chief of the construction division of the DPWH Cebu City District Office.
This week, the DENR 7 issued a cease-and-desist order against the the DPWH 7 stopping it from further cutting or earth-balling trees in the project site, and required the agency to explain its actions.
Catubig said the requirements of the DENR for earth-balling the trees, such as showing proof of consultation with affected stakeholders and replanting the trees, would only delay the road project.
The contractor JJ&J Construction started road work last November. Its 200-day deadine ends in July.
“Right now, we are around 45 percent complete with the project,” Catubig said.
Changes in the road plan, including building a concrete plant box around the trees, need to be approved by Cebu City District Engineer Fernando Cruz.
The trees will be integrated in the road after the contractor demolishes houses and structures in the project area, which is government-owned.
Catubig said the settlers have already been paid compensation.
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