By Leilanie G. Adriano
Staff reporter
LAOAG CITY—Some century-old acacia trees located along the national highway
in Ilocos Norte’s second district are not likely to be cut yet even if there is
an on-going road clearing operation within the right of way.
According to 2nd district engineer Mathias Malenab, there are
trees along the right of way which they should cut but due to a very tedious
process of securing permit from the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, it may take a longer time before they grant an application for tree
cutting permit.
Last year, he said the DPWH conducted an inventory of trees along the
national highway and submitted it to the regional office. However, up to this
time, the DENR has yet to act on it.
“Please bear with us. We painted them [trees] for visibility purposes. Kung minsan, ayaw tanggalin because they
are part of the landscape kaya hindi rin
namin tinantanggal. Nakapanghihinayang naman na tanggalin dahil 100 years
old na,” Mr. Malenab admitted.
Under the law, the DENR and its attached agencies have the sole
jurisdiction on approving tree-cutting permits. Applicants need to secure a
letter application, an endorsement letter or certification of no objection from
the local government units, copy of land title for private property,
photographs of trees to be removed and a site development plan and
environmental compliance certificates (ECC) for big projects.
Earlier, environmentalist groups in Ilocos Norte including the Diocese of
Laoag appealed to local authorities here to think and reconsider the cutting of
trees and ensure that not to compromise the welfare of the environment over
infrastructure development.
Comments
Post a Comment