P-Noy urged to declare moratorium on cutting, uprooting of trees in city

By Paul Rillorta

BAGUIO CITY – A special declaration from President Aquino  for a moratorium on the tree cutting and earthballing of Benguet Pine trees is being pushed here.  

           

Councilor Philian Louise Weygan Allan said she is due to file a city council resolution since thousands of trees in the city which are in danger of being uprooted, transferred or cut to give way to development.

           

“It has been reported that based on Department of Environment and Natural Resources records, there are at least 4,078 applications for tree cutting permits for various construction and development projects from 2002 to 2011,” she said.

           

“In that same period, at least 600 trees were earth-balled including 503 within the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Camp John Hay.”

           

City residents recently protested the earthballing of about 182 trees in Luneta Hill for the planned expansion of SM here bringing to the fore other areas in the city where Benguet Pine trees are also being cut or is in danger of being cut.

           

“The city should request President Aquino to issue a moratorium on the cutting and earthballing of trees in the city of Baguio, except when the trees pose danger to persons and property.”

           

Allan said a moratorium is needed to protect trees found in areas where development is being introduced by private owners and even for government funded projects. 

           

Executive Order 23 or the moratorium issued by the President prohibits the DENR from issuing or renewing tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide, except for clearing of road right of way by the Department of Public Works and Highways, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal.

           

It also allows the issuance of permits for tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines of the DENR.

           

“The moratorium issued under EO 23 is only for logging, the city needs something more concrete,” she said.

‘The pronouncement of the president then to protect our city from over building is good news,” Allan said.

 This was also bolstered by the move of the present administration to stop the sale of government lands in Baguio City in order to protect the environment from further urban decay.