The City Council approved on Tuesday a resolution ensuring that landowners will not cut old, heritage trees in the conservation and protected area in Davao City.
Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chair of the City Council’s Committee on Environment and natural resources, passed a resolution closing and terminating item No. 197 entitled “Letter Complaint of Anaceleto Moran Jr., Attorney-In–Fact, relative to the private land covered by TCT NO. 146-2016018903 owned by Ling Ling Wu Lee, located in barangay Salaysay, Marilog District classified as a conservation zone by the City Planning and Development Office” and requesting the DENR to include in their requirements for the issuance of cutting permits a clearance from the CPDO.
Ocampo said the resolution aims to protect and preserve nature, especially in the countryside where the Philippine Eagle and other endangered species habituate.
Ocampo mentioned in his resolution that during the committee hearing held on January 25, 2023, Moran manifested that they requested permission to cut the old grown trees in the parcel of land in question. However, the CPDO issued a complete stoppage of the operation due to a violation of the provisions of the conservation zones.
The resolution also mentioned that Ronald Baguihanon, representative of the Department of Natural Resources-City Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR-CENRO) explained that the lack of coordination in the issuance of the cutting permit and that the said agency already issued an official statement on the said matter.
It also stated in the resolution that the chairperson requested and reminded the body to coordinate the issuance of permits. Baguihon also requested Watershed Management Council (WMC), Interfacing Development Intervention for Sustainability (IDIS), CENRO, and CPDO to be part of their evaluation team for the issuance of the cutting permits.
“Despite the explanations of the various agencies, Moran was not satisfied and invoked the authority of the owner over his property. The chairperson elaborated that all lands, even though privately owned, are under the jurisdiction of the State,” it said.
Ocampo’s committee recommended the closing and termination of the said item and requested the DENR to include in their requirements for the issuance of cutting permits a clearance from CPDO, without prejudice for the parties to elevate the matter to the proper court.
It can be recalled that Ocampo also expressed alarm on the reported cutting of trees in Sitio Kibalang, Barangay Marilog Proper, Marilog District to make way for the construction of a new school building.
Ocampo said this matter will still go through the committee hearing.
In 2021, the 19th City Council passed Ordinance No. 0784-21 series of 2021 also known as “An ordinance protecting heritage trees and all other trees in the city of Davao and for other purposes.”
