DPWH start axing the century-old trees along Tinaan, Naga. (CDN PHOTO/ CHRISTIAN MANGINGO)
Traffic slowed to a turtle crawl as century-old trees along Tinaan, Naga were being cut down by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) early morning, Tuesday.
Police and barangay tanods lacked communication equipment while manning the one-way diversion road passing through Balili property. The national highway is closed every time the team starts cutting the trees.
The DPWH were given from 9 p.m. to 4 p.m. today to finish cutting seven “diseased” trees lining up along the national highway that were considered dangerous for motorists.
Trees were first pruned before cutting the trunk. The logs and branches were gathered for inventory by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
Running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, who opposed the cutting of the trees, arrived in the area past 3 p.m.
He climbed to a tree and post a banner that read “Love is care and cure of the old and sick whether person or tree… Save the Naga, San Fernando and Carcar Century trees.”
Activist-priest climbs one of the seven “diseased” tree and placed a banner asking DPWH to care for the century-old trees. (CDN PHOTO/ CHRISTIAN MANINGO)