Different tree species were cut along Araneta Street in Bacolod City to give way for ongoing projects of the Department of Public Works and Highways. A permission to cut the trees, according to the DPWH, was secured from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. The people in public works insisted that they have been authorized by the DENR to cut 35 trees, including 15 molave, 12 narra, seven mahoganies, and one eucalyptus.
The sight of fallen full-grown trees triggered an uproar on social media. It triggered silent protest among environment advocates and ordinary citizens, who called those behind it as “murderer of trees”.
However, one advocate from the academe, Mr. Rhoderick Samonte, said the trees can still be saved. He proposed for the DPWH to admit their mistake and instead of uprooting the stumps, it should be watered and allowed to heal and recover.
Samonte’s proposal might work and might save the trees. But it will take years for the same tree to grow and sprout branches that will give natural shade on that side of the road. Those who are protesting the “murder of the trees” might not even be around by that time to see it fully grown.
We hope that both the DPWH and DENR will be more prudent next time in undertaking infrastructure projects. We can always have roads and pathways repaired and reconstructed at any given time. Trees take years to grow. Trees outlive most of us if we let them be. – NWI
