Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and Natural Resources, stresst on Tuesday that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should be reminded of their promise of replanting trees that were cut in Lanang, Davao City.
Dozens of trees are being cut down in Lanang, Davao City as part of the preparations for the start of the civil works for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project.
“Sa SIDC ila gyud nang tumanon. We have to monitor that. If ever you cut a tree you must plant more trees. Kani naa sila’y giputol ato gyud ning singlon, ato gyud i-monitor. Singlon gyud nato sila kay mao man nay balaod. Kung gitugutan ka magputol, magtanum ka ug daghan. If we see some violations they have to answer for it,” Ocampo said on the sidelines of the Aprubado sa Konseho media briefing.
However, Ocampo said then again the public has to find out if there is a legal basis for cutting the trees.
“I still have to check. As much as possible you just can’t cut trees naa man ta ordinance ana. But then again we would like to know what are the basis of cutting the trees. Kung gitugot ba gyud na ipaputol ang mga kahoy. But we cannot just stop national projects not unless the city government opposes it. When you say opposes it, tanan konsehal musupak niana. It’s a big project and we are supporting it kay makatabang man na,” Ocampo said.
In November 2021, the City Council passed Heritage Tree Ordinance in Davao City to address climate change and air pollution.
Ocampo said he will ask the City Environmental and Natural Resources (CENRO) about the cutting of the trees.
Last month, Eng. John Christian Gaden, project engineer of the Department of Public Works and Highways 11 (DPWH 11), bared before the City Council that at least 200 trees will be cut for the construction of SIDC Connector Project and 85 of these will be on the Davao City side.
He gave his assurance that they will plant 100 trees for every tree that will be cut as replacement.
“Every tree is life as it helps minimizing the carbon footprints, musuyop man na ug hugaw,” Ocampo said.
