BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Director Jim O. Sampulna of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 6 supports the Department of Public Works and Highways’ (DPWH) plan to remove the trees growing on the median island of General Luna Street.
“Some of these trees may fall anytime,” he said.
Describing the trees as “very old” and “decaying,” Sampulna said they pose danger to pedestrians and vehicles.
He also said the trees were of the inappropriate kind because they were “large species.”
“It is not ideal to plant trees in the middle of the road. It’s better to have ornamental plants,” Sampulna stressed.
He urged the Ilonggos to “level up” and “upgrade” their views on development, noting that Iloilo City has become economically vibrant.
In calling for the axing of the General Luna Street trees, Sampulna was just being consistent. He also supported the cutting of 10 Gmelina trees at the Dagsaan Ecopark in Guimaras province to pave the way for construction of a swimming pool, and sacked Guimaras’ Provincial ENR Officer Jesse Vego for questioning the cutting.
DPWH is widening General Luna Street but the project has stalled because the trees have yet to be removed. Environmentalists oppose the trees’ removal.
Iloilo City District Engineering Office (ICDEO) head, Engr. Rodney Gustilo confirmed that the Sangguniang Panlungsod has yet to officially give its permission for the trees’ removal more than a month after his office made such request.
Gustilo said a written permission from the City Council is required before DENR Region 6 grants the ICDEO a permit to extract the trees.
Regional Director Edilberto Tayao of DPWH has warned that Iloilo City risks losing the budget for road widening.
The widening of General Luna Street is part of a longer project that stretches up to the boundary of Iloilo City and the town of Oton, Iloilo – in Brgy. Mohon, Arevalo district.
Tayao said the project has a P260-million budget.
“We may have no other recourse but to recommend the transfer of the fund to other equally important projects,” Tayao said.
He asked the public to choose between trees or development.
Tayao said the “best option” was to continue with the road widening.
The regional director explained why it is advisable to replace the trees on General Luna Street.
“There are trees whose roots will grow big enough and possibly damage the pavement,” he said./PN
