CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – Environmentalists in this province accused yesterday some government officials of treachery in suddenly again pursuing plans to cut the remaining acacia and other grown trees to give way to the widening of the 18-kilometer stretch of the MacArthur highway here towards Angeles City.
The Save the Trees Coalition (STC), led by environmentalist Cecile Yumul, expressed surprise over a notice allegedly from Alfredo Tolentino, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saying that his agency is set to cut some 36 acacia and other mature trees along the highway.
Tolentino was reportedly in a meeting yesterday and could not issue any statement on the controversy.
“The real beneficiaries of the project are DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government officials as we all know that most of the projects in government are tainted with corruption,” the STC said in a statement.
Last year, some 100 trees were already cut along the highway which were widened in some parts, but a protest from the STC saved the 36 remaining trees.
In a “tree summit” in July last year, officials from the DPWH, the DENR and the city government vowed to STC environmentalists that the remaining trees would no longer be cut. Parts of the highway were already widened to six lanes, except in areas where the remaining trees still stood.
In a statement yesterday, the STC accused the DENR and DPWH of treachery in their plans to cut the trees anyway.
“During the summit last year, the DENR vowed that no cutting of trees would be done without any public consultation and without consulting with STC. Also, the City of San Fernando also declared that the cutting of the trees was against its policy to make the city a habitat for human excellence,” the STC statement said.
“Like thieves, they are cutting the trees one by one at night. Gone are the remaining trees in Barangay Camachile at Pilar Village, as well as those in front of the San Fernando Hospital, those at the PTT gas station, as well as those at the church of San Agustin. We have awaken to only the roots of the trees remaining,” the STC reported.
STC expressed doubt that the widening of the MacArthur highway would have more advantages than disadvantages, amid the claim of the DPWH it would ease traffic congestion in the major thoroughfare.
It cited a study of the Pampanga Medical Society indicating an increase of respiratory ailments since the 100 trees were cut along the highway last year. It also claimed that flooding worsened in Barangay Sindalan and other parts of this city since the trees were gone.
STC also maintained that the highway would be more accident prone once its entire length is widened to six lanes. “With the highway widened and the trees gone, there would be more temptation to motorists to speed up,” it said.
The STC also said that small businesses along the highway are likely to suffer from the road widening project which would remove parking spaces at their establishments.
The Save the Trees Coalition (STC), led by environmentalist Cecile Yumul, expressed surprise over a notice allegedly from Alfredo Tolentino, regional director of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) saying that his agency is set to cut some 36 acacia and other mature trees along the highway.
Tolentino was reportedly in a meeting yesterday and could not issue any statement on the controversy.
“The real beneficiaries of the project are DPWH, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and other government officials as we all know that most of the projects in government are tainted with corruption,” the STC said in a statement.
Last year, some 100 trees were already cut along the highway which were widened in some parts, but a protest from the STC saved the 36 remaining trees.
In a “tree summit” in July last year, officials from the DPWH, the DENR and the city government vowed to STC environmentalists that the remaining trees would no longer be cut. Parts of the highway were already widened to six lanes, except in areas where the remaining trees still stood.
In a statement yesterday, the STC accused the DENR and DPWH of treachery in their plans to cut the trees anyway.
“During the summit last year, the DENR vowed that no cutting of trees would be done without any public consultation and without consulting with STC. Also, the City of San Fernando also declared that the cutting of the trees was against its policy to make the city a habitat for human excellence,” the STC statement said.
“Like thieves, they are cutting the trees one by one at night. Gone are the remaining trees in Barangay Camachile at Pilar Village, as well as those in front of the San Fernando Hospital, those at the PTT gas station, as well as those at the church of San Agustin. We have awaken to only the roots of the trees remaining,” the STC reported.
STC expressed doubt that the widening of the MacArthur highway would have more advantages than disadvantages, amid the claim of the DPWH it would ease traffic congestion in the major thoroughfare.
It cited a study of the Pampanga Medical Society indicating an increase of respiratory ailments since the 100 trees were cut along the highway last year. It also claimed that flooding worsened in Barangay Sindalan and other parts of this city since the trees were gone.
STC also maintained that the highway would be more accident prone once its entire length is widened to six lanes. “With the highway widened and the trees gone, there would be more temptation to motorists to speed up,” it said.
The STC also said that small businesses along the highway are likely to suffer from the road widening project which would remove parking spaces at their establishments.
