Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Ramon Paje is advocating planned development of urban areas nationwide to help protect remaining green patches in these concrete jungles.
“We must plan correctly — that’s key,” he said amidst environmental advocates’ continuing clamor to save trees.
He expressed concern about dangers of unplanned and misplanned development, warning both negatively impact on the environment.
Paje noted remaining urban forests and other green patches must be preserved and protected from haphazard development as these beautify cities, serve as recreational sites and filter water, sunlight and air.
“With correct planning, we can save these lungs of cities,” he said.
Experts also said urban trees provide shade, slow down wind and storm water, moderate local climate and are critical in helping address the urban heat island (UHI) effect.
They describe UHI as a phenomenon whereby concentration of structures and waste heat from human activity result in a slightly warmer envelope of air over urbanized areas.
Participants during a forum this month questioned the public works department’s tree-cutting plans and activities for widening roads nationwide.
Spearheading the forum, the NGO Citizens Organization Concerned with Advocating Philippine Environmental Sustainability (COCAP) raised urgency for saving trees and highlighted ecological and non-ecological services that these provide.
“We’re told a 50-year-old tree recycles Php 1.5 million worth of water and stops erosion of Php P1.2 million worth of soil — all the good a tree provides should give us pause,” COCAP said.
Paje said Executive Order 23, Series of 2011, already bans cutting and harvesting of timber in the country’s natural and residual forests which are composed of indigenous trees not planted by man.
He noted issuance of EO 23 prohibits the DENR from either issuing or renewing tree-cutting permits covering such areas.
An exception to such prohibition is issuance of cutting permits so the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) can clear road right-of-way, however, he clarified.
DENR requires DPWH to plant 100 trees per tree it cuts for road-widening, Paje said.
“DPWH is complying with such requirement,” he assured.
EO 23 also cites as exceptions “site preparation for treeplantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from the said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal.”
“Tree-cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the indigenous Peoples Right Act may be allowed only subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines of the DENR,” EO 23 likewise reads. [PNA]
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