ILOILO City – The cutting of trees in Pototan, Iloilo continues.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) approved the renewal of a cutting permit covering about 4,000 species of trees along the road in 13 Pototan villages two weeks ago.
The villages were Dawis, Casalsagan, Cahagikhikan, Igang, Amamaros, Rumbang, Ledesma Street, Parcon Street, Batuan, Iwa Ilaya, Iwa Macatol, Zarrague, and Malusod.
The measure is in relation to the road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways in the town.
“Ang permit was issued two weeks ago and then ang cutting as of now is on-going,” Hector Garrido, head of DENR Region 6’s Licenses, Patents and Deeds Division, told Panay News.
Garrido has yet to estimate how many trees were already cut down.
Before the cutting permit was issued, the DENR and the DPWH signed an affidavit of undertaking which specified the limitations of the road work.
It was stated in the affidavit that 100 tree seedlings should be planted in other areas as replacement for every tree that DPWH felled in Pototan.
The tree seedlings must be “all preferably of indigenous species with at least one meter in height to be planted…in close coordination with DENR and Community Environment and Natural Resources Office,” it further stated.
Edna Mae Cañete, assistant engineer of DPWH-6’s 2nd Engineering District, said only 600 tree seedlings or 2.8 percent have so far been planted. The seedlings were planted in Aklan.
DPWH also planted 500 mangroves in Dumangas, Iloilo.
Of the 5,182 Pototan trees identified for cutting, DPWH already felled 2,013 – requiring the planting of 213,000 tree seedling.
More seedlings are being eyed to be planted in Dingle, Iloilo, according to the DENR./PN
