THE Cebu city government will soon submit all documents needed to obtain clearance from the Department of Environment and National Resources (DENR) for the cutting down of trees affected by road-widening projects as part of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit preparation.
In a meeting with Environment Secretary Ramon Paje, Mayor Michael Rama said the department is open to his request to cut down trees in particular areas since the summit is already next month.
“We just need to provide documentation to the central office, and it will be the DENR regional office that will issue us the permits to cut, and we are good to go,” Rama told reporters.
Rama flew to Manila earlier this week to ask Paje for “blanket authority” in the approval of his request so that the city won’t have a long wait for word from the central office.
Trees will be cut down in several locations in the city, especially on roads that are vital links to APEC venues like Marco Polo Hotel, Radisson Blu and Marriott Hotel.
Center islands on Pope John Paul II Ave. (formerly Juan Luna) will be removed and replaced with iron barriers as this road will also be used in the International Eucharistic Congress (IEC) next year.
The Indian trees on the center island fronting the Capitol building will also be cut down.
Rama wants center islands removed to ease traffic flow along Escario St.
Rama said earth-balling the trees would be appropriate but will take too much time.
“We have to move fast in identifying areas and doing everything because we only have a month left for APEC.
We have to think about how much time we have to be efficient,” said Rama./UP Cebu Intern Juli Ann M. Sibi