Regional development planners are pushing for the issuance of relocation permits for trees that will be affected by the planned bus system of property developer SM Prime Holdings, Inc. at the South Road Properties (SRP).
Efren Carreon, vice chairman of the Regional Development Council, asked the Department of Environment and Natural Resources in a letter to speed up the issuance of the permits, even without an application from SM, so they can immediately build infrastructure support for the bus system.
More than 2,000 trees will be affected by both the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system and SM’s incoming bus system, or the High Quality Public Transport System, said DENR information officer Eddie Llamedo.
He said an inventory of the trees along SM’s bus route has yet to be made.
He said the proponent would have to write a letter to DENR requesting for an inventory, hold a public consultation and obtain a no-objection certification from the barangay.
“Although we recognize the resolution requesting the DENR to fast track the issuance, but we have to comply with guidelines,” Llamedo said.
The RDC approved last June 26 SM’s proposed bus system, which will serve as proof of concept for the viability of the BRT system.
SM will field buses between Lawaan, Talisay City to Parkmall in Mandaue and the Mactan Cebu International Airport in Lapu-Lapu City.
This bus system is expected to benefit SM’s newest mall, SM Seaside City Cebu, which will open later this year at the SRP.