THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has not received any written request from the Cebu City government to earth-ball or cut down the 43 trees along Pope John Paul II Avenue in barangay Mabolo in preparation for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on August 22.
Dr. Eddie Llamedo, information officer of the DENR-7, said the Cebu City government should first send a letter request so DENR-7 can conduct an inventory or assessment as to how the trees will be affected by the road widening.
This is because there are still no amendments and revisions on the department’s policy on the cutting down of trees for the setting aside of protocol due to the summit which will start on August. 22.
He said there were discussions last April and May informing them on the plans of the city government to earth-ball the trees and remove the center island, but no written request has been sent by the city government until now.
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH-7) earlier said that they welcome the suggestion of Mayor Rama on the removal of the center island.
DPWH regional director Ador Canlas said he is open to any initiative for the improvement of the roads.
He added they will wait for the design proposals from the city government to decongest traffic in the area.
Rama earlier proposed that only the center island stretching from Archbishop Reyes Ave. to corner Cardinal Rosales Avenue and F. Cabahug Street will be affected.