After dead tree smashes taxicab: Baguio gov’t ups probe on tree cutting permits

By Jho Arranz

BAGUIO CITY  -  The city government will speed up  investigation and preparation of report for issuance of tree cutting permits for dead trees on public lands which are causing imminent danger to life and property, mayor Mauricio Domogan said during a press briefing.

“I directed City Environment and Parks Management Officer Cordelia Lacasamana and Executive Assistant CamiloEstepa to speed up the investigation and issuance of tree cutting permits for dead trees to prevent accidents as what happened recently at Lourdes Subdivision Extension,” he said.

A dead aguho tree accidentally fell down last week along Lourdes Subdivision Extension damaging a Kia Pride taxi and injuring its two passengers.

During the executive-legislative meeting last Monday, CEPM chief Lacsamana said, “The owner of the tree requested for a tree cutting permit and the matter was referred to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office for appropriate action way back 2008 since said tree was still alive then.”

Domogan instructed Lacsamana to forward all documents to his office to straighten the records.

The mayor clarified the rules and procedure governing applications for a tree cutting permit.

He said an applicant can request for an emergency tree cutting permit at the City Mayor’s Office or at the CEPMO. 

Subsequently, an evaluation and inspection will be done by a composite team for possible recommendation, afterwhich, the city will issue the tree cutting permit with a corresponding fee.

If an applicant is requesting to cut a live tree within his property, the city will issue a clearance and forward the matter to the CENRO for the issuance of tree cutting permit.  The city can issue permit to a cut live tree if the same poses imminent danger to life and property.