Green group condemns order on tree cutting

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — An environment group condemned the lifting of an order suspending the cutting of trees along MacArthur Highway as part of the government’s P440-million road widening project.

More than 10 trees were already cut as a result of the lifting of the order.

Save the Trees Coalition, in a statement issued during the International Day of Human Rights, said the on-going tree cutting violated the rights of the people for a balanced and healthy environment.

“Worse, Public Works Secretary Rogelio Singson sings a different tune this time because not only the remaining 12, out of the 36 trees, but thick trees from Greenfields to Balite are scheduled to be cut,” the group said.

Last week, Singson was in Pampanga and made a consultation with Mayor Oscar Rodriguez and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Regional Director Alfredo Tolentino regarding the road widening project.

STC said it was not invited to the consultation.

But last month, the group did not attend the first multi-sectoral meeting regarding the road widening and the tree planting, which was meant to replace the cut trees, although officials said it was invited.

Earlier, Tolentino said road widening efforts will serve as a preparation for more investments that will enter the province.

However, STC said the third lane is now used as parking for many cars at the stretch of highway.

“It has also exposed us to flooding because the elevation of Angeles is the peak of the cross of the Catholic Church in San Fernando. Not to mention the canals are small to contain the large volume of water. The City of San Fernando will be Ondoy in the rainy season,” the STC said.

The group also cited the earth-balling of five trees by the Angeles University Foundation, which were safely moved to the Lakeshore.

“But the trees planted by the pro-cutters are now wilting and dying without care,” the STC said.

The group also argued that the road widening, which is aimed at enticing foreign investors, will only result to more work for the Kapampangans.

“While it is true foreign investments will come, the sad part is that our workers will receive a pittance of the fruits of labor, with low salary to buy food and medicines. Salaries will not suffice to cover hospital expenses incurred by the workers because of the increased pollution as a result of tree cutting,” it said.

The STC said it will stage an indignation rally by doing a human chain for trees on December 15 as part of its continuing call to stop tree cutting activities. (Charlene Cayabyab/With Ria De Fiesta)

source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/pampanga/local-news/green-group-condemns-order-tree-cutting

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