An official of the Department of Public Works and Highways Unified Project Management Office (DPWH UPMO) bared to Edge Davao that based on records, tree planting commenced last year in preparation for the tree-cutting activities for the Samal Island-Davao City Connector (SIDC) Project.
DPWH UPMO Bridges Management Cluster project director Rodrigo Delos Reyes said that the agency has already conducted tree planting activities last year with 22,500 trees planted in Marilog District and Paquibato District in Davao City, while 8,500 trees were planted at Ecopark Site, Sampao, Brgy. Mambago-A, IGaCoS.
Delos Reyes said the tree-planting activities were conducted before the tree-cutting activity in March this year, as part of the implementation of the Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) conditions and as compliance with the Department of Environmental and Natural Resources-City Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-CENRO) tree cutting permit conditions which required replacing the trees removed by 1:100 seedlings.
DPWH undertook tree-cutting activities in Lanang, Davao City and in Brgy. Limao, Island Garden City of Samal (IGaCoS).
“We just started cutting last March 26, 2024, after we settled the payment for the trees to the affected owners, with full compliance to the requirements of the concerned agencies,” he said.
The cutting of trees concerned the environmental group Sustainable Davao Movement (SDM). It said the cutting of trees in Lanang for the construction of the SIDC project was done at the wrong time.
The group underscored that the cutting of trees violates the Heritage Tree Ordinance, which aims to protect mature trees that provide shade, cooling, and reduce temperature, particularly the centennial trees in Davao City.
Delos Reyes said that as the implementing office of the project, DPWH UPMO is mandated to adhere to rules and laws governing the government infrastructure projects and remain within the limits of its jurisdiction.
“This Department has meticulously followed the established governmental procedures and protocols, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and administrative guidelines. We would like to underscore that the SIDC bridge is a long-awaited project in the Davao Region that is projected to benefit fellow Filipinos in the Mindanao Region,” he added.
