A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) is in place between regional line agencies and local government units (LGUs) that would push through with the cutting of the seven remaining “decaying” trees in the City of Naga.
Last Monday, the Cebu Provincial Board (PB) adopted a resolution authorizing Cebu Gov. Hilario Davide III to sign the MOA in behalf of the province.
Other signatories include Regional Director Ador Canlas of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Regional Executive Director Isabelo Montejo of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and Mayors Val Chiong of the City of Naga, Nicepuro Apura of Carcar City and Antonio Canoy of San Fernando town.
But DENR-7 spokesman Eddie Llamedo said the signing of the agreement cannot take place until they receive permission from their central office headed by Environment Secretary Ramon Paje.
Last August, Paje recalled all tree-cutting permits it issued to DPWH for road projects nationwide after environment advocates, including running priest Fr. Robert Reyes, opposed the cutting of century-old trees in Natalio Bacalso Avenue in barangay Perrelos, Carcar City.
“For now, that’s just for the identification of the roles of each government agency. But eventually, our ultimate objective really is to remove the dying trees for the safety of the public,” Llamedo said.
Llamedo said the province drafted the MOA.
Davide is bent on cutting the trees, saying he cannot risk the safety of commuters and motorists plying the highway.
“If those are dying trees that need to be cut, they have to be cut. We’d rather save lives than these trees,” said the governor in an earlier interview.
Under the MOA, the DPWH is in-charge of cutting the seven “decaying” trees and will provide the manpower and equipment for the operations.
For every fallen tree, the province through its environment office will provide 100 seedlings to replace it.
The cities of Naga and Carcar and San Fernando town will take care of the security and traffic during the operations as well as identify the location where the 900 seedlings will be planted.
They will also assume the DENR’s three-year maintenance requirement.