Dad wants to declare all pine trees 'heritage trees'

Councilor Leandro Yangot Jr. is again pushing for the passage of his proposed ordinance formally declaring all pine trees in the City as heritage and protected trees. 

    In his proposed ordinance, Yangot bemoaned the incessant cutting of trees in the name of development which, according to him, may result in “urban decay.”

    He fears that, in due time, the City will lose all its pine trees and, consequently, its titles “the City of Pines” and “Pine Tree Capital of the Philippines.”

    The ordinance seeks to penalize those who will cut pine trees within the territorial jurisdiction of Baguio City.

    The ordinance stated that a pine tree may be cut only when it poses danger to life and property.

    According to the ordinance, violators shall be subjected to a fine of P5, 000 per violation and/or six-month imprisonment or both. This sanction shall not affect other administrative, civil, or criminal cases which may be filed against the violator. 

    Moreover, if the violator is a “juridical entity,” the managing officer and other persons responsible for the violation shall be liable for the aforementioned penalties; if the violator is an “alien,” they shall be subjection to national law and procedures on deportation after their sentence; and if the violator is a local official or employee. the city government may institute administrative proceedings, without prejudice to the rights of any affected person, upon verification of the complaint by any person.

    The proposed ordinance has been referred to the Sanggunian’s Committee on Health and Sanitation, Ecology, and Environmental Protection for review.

    The said proposed ordinance was first introduced in 2019 but has been shelved in consideration of the questions and comments raised by some members of the city council on certain provisions as well as the comments and recommendations of then Asst. City Environment and Parks Management Officer Ruben Cervantes. -Jordan G. Habbiling