Trial court saves 486 trees along CL highway

By George Trillo

ANGELES CITY, Pampanga – The Regional Trial Court (RTC) here, designated as an environmental court, has ordered the extension of a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) that will suspend the plan of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to cut at least 486 trees along the Mac Arthur Highway traversing Mabalacat and this city.

RTC Branch 59 Presiding Judge Angelica Quiambao said in her December 14 decision that was released Wednesday that there is a need to extend the TEPO as its non-issuance will render nugatory or moot the petition filed by a group of environmentalists under the umbrella Save The Trees Coalition (STC).

“Judicial discretion dictates the propriety of extending TEPO, it being a matter of extreme urgency involving plaintiffs’ (the groups composing the STC) constitutional right to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature,” the Court explained.