MacArthur Highway controversy: Cutting of hundreds of trees along road nixed

By George Trillo

ANGELES CITY -- Government agencies in this city are opposing the cutting of 486 trees along MacArthur Highway in Pampanga as part of the Department of Public Works and Highways road widening project.

 

Jose M. Briones, head of the city’s Task Force 1-Million Trees, said that they recognize the project’s objective to sustain progress in Pampanga. However, there is also a need to take into account the effect of the project to the environment.

 

“The road widening project would not only threaten several mature trees, but would also destroy the habitat of living organisms thriving on these trees,” said Briones.

 

He said the trees “aid in mitigating climate change and in filtering the air, providing various ecological services that are essential for human survival.”

 

Francis G. Pangilinan, officer-in-charge of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office,  also expressed his stand against the project, saying that there are alternative ways for development without having to sacrifice the trees.

 

“We suggest that DPWH should come up with an alternative project design plan which is similar to what they did in Telebastagan, City of San Fernando, where the road was widened and the trees were saved,” Pangilinan said.

 

Fides April F. Miranda, executive director of the Angeles City Youth and Student Bureau, said that there is a need to “strike a balance between development and environmental protection.”

 

“We are not against any development in Pampanga; but we firmly believe that it should be done along the line of conservation and sustainable resource use,” Miranda said.

 

She also appealed to the DPWH to ensure the monitoring of the widened roads being used as alternative parking spaces by those with nearby establishments and business centers.

 

“This further causes the heavy flow of traffic and accidents, clearly defeating the purpose of the project,” she said.