Baguio groups hit SM over ‘massacre’ of trees

‘Firm contradicts Pope’s call to care for environment’ 

BAGUIO CITY – Cause-oriented groups and concerned citizens here assailed cutting of around 60 trees which they called “massacre” last week by SM Baguio saying they would hold protest actions against this.   

“While Pope Francis reiterated the need to nurture the environment during his Papal visit in the country, SM Baguio cut at least 60 pine trees in the cover of the night on Jan. 17,” said Jude Baggo, information officer of the Cordillera Peoples’ Alliance. 

On Jan. 2012, SM Baguio cut down around 40 pine trees despite widespread and strong opposition from environmental activists and people of Baguio.

At present, a total of at least 100 grown pine trees were cleared by SM Baguio since 2012 to pave way for construction of multi-level parking system.

This, as SM said it would plant 506,000 pine seedlings as replacement of the 60 pine trees it cut last week.

This was reportedly 440,000 more than the order issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, after the Court of Appeals—in a 31-page decision on December 12, 2014—affirmed  lifting of Temporary Environment Protection Order (TEPO).

The TEPO was a subject of appeal by environmentalists in this city over a Regional Trial Court decision issued on April 10, 2012 that lifted the said protection order.

The CA said “the appeal lacks merit,” and allowed SM Development Corporation to proceed with its Sky Park project.

SM’s project involves the construction of a seven-storey building called “Sky Park Project” which features walls with live plants, a sewerage treatment facility, and an underground rainwater catchment tank.

The excess space of the water catchment tank will be turned into parking spaces that can accommodate more than 600 vehicles.

SM Baguio was reportedly given permits to cut down at least 60 pine trees by the DENR and city government with the condition that the firm plant 506,000 trees in different areas of the city aside from posting a P6 million bond.

“These actions call for indignation,” Baggo said. “The Cordillera Peoples Alliance joins all sectors and people of Baguio in expressing their outrage over this new incident of pine tree cutting done by SM and the failure of the DENR and the city government to do appropriate action to save the trees,” he added.

“It may be legally correct that SM is permitted to proceed in cutting the pine trees but this is not a simple issue just for SM to decide. This is an issue for the people of Baguio to get engaged in and participate. Those responsible of this problem should be accountable to the people. Also, what is legally permitted is not always just.”

Before SM, Luneta Hill was a mini park and one of the few of spots in Baguio where one can find trees, flowers, butterflies and fresh atmosphere where people walk and commune with nature.

“With the construction of SM, Luneta Hill was transformed into a concrete jungle,” Baggo said.

“The remaining trees at Luneta Hill should be spared from further cutting. As people, we should heed the call of Pope Francis to care and nurture the environment. We can start small by planting more trees and recycling; participating and involvement in activities and peoples organizations working for the protection of the environment.”

He said, “Unlike Pope Francis who showed deep concern for the poor and the marginalized sectors of society, SM Baguio ignores the common good and general welfare of the people in exchange for surplus profit for the few.  

“SM proudly presents itself as a wholesome and environmental-friendly corporation. But past and recent events again reveal its true colors as an enemy of the trees, and the environment.”

In the first quarter of 2012, uproar was caused by sudden news that SM’s expansion project will cause cutting or earth-balling of 182 pine trees.

Earlier, the TEPO was momentarily given to halt the earth-balling while law suits were forwarded by several groups regarding the Environmental Compliance Certificate awarded to SM as well as the expansion project.

The cases were dismissed by the RTC in December 2012, stating the case failed to show enough evidence on harmful effects of the project.

The case was elevated to the CA which released its decision last week.

The CA dismissed the case citing that SMI had not violated any legal procedures and that the expansion project will not have an adverse effect on the city’s environment.

“We must be conscious of the impact SM will have in our local and homegrown businesses here in the city,” said Perry Mendoza, chairperson of Tongtongan Ti Umili and Tracy Anne Dumalo, TTU secretary general in a statement.

“How many local businesses will suffer due to unequal competition?  We, as Baguio citizens, grew up with these homegrown businesses. We know these people, they became a part of our lives.”

“As we let SM pursue its expansion projects (hotels, restaurants, parking area, recreational area) creep into what is already a crowded Baguio. We are contributing to the eventual death of local and homegrown businesses and establishments. Now that the legal machinery we have depended on to put a stop to the continuation of the project has failed us again, the answer is in the hands of the people in taking a united stand and forging an action to really show the Baguio we want. The fight against corporate greed continues.” -- AD