ANGELES CITY – Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the immediate suspension of the cutting of 259 fully grown trees along the Friendship Circumferential Road here.
In a letter to Engr. Tito Jesus T. Salvador, district engineer of the Pampanga 3rd District Engineering Office of the DPWH today (January 10), Lazatin cited the frontpage story of this newspaper as part of the growing outcry of opposition against the planned tree cutting.
“On January 9, frontpage of local newspaper Punto Central Luzon also blasted the said cutting of trees, referring to it as massacre,” the mayor said quoting this newspaper.
The tree cutting was featured in today’s issue entitled “Environmental double whammy in Angeles City.”
“As government officials, I believe we need to balance the need to promote development with keeping an open ear to the opinions of the public,” Lazatin said.
“In the light of vehement opposition from our constituents, the undersigned would like to respectfully request your good office to immediately suspend the ongoing cutting of trees…while we look into possible alternatives that would satisfy the need to clear the area for road widening without killing the trees,” Lazatin said.
The mayor also cited the Save The Trees Coalition which has started an online petition on social media calling for a suspension of the tree cutting.
The petition has been signed by more than 3,000 people as of so far.
Republic Act 3571 is an act prohibiting the cutting, destroying or injuring of planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or plants of scenic value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or in any other public pleasure ground.
