Heritage trees at historic Manila Army and Navy Club cut down for restoration project 

A development firm is planning to restore the history Manila Army and Navy Club to its former glory. After more than 30 years of neglect, Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp. is proposing to turn it into a five-star boutique hotel.

 

Last year, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) released a Cease and Desist Order (CDO) against the developer for going too far with the restoration. The project is in full swing again — at the expense of heritage trees. 

 

In a document obtained by GMA News, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) granted a tree cutting and earth-balling permit to the Oceanville. According to the permit, only 31 trees are allowed to be cut down, while 13 were meant to be earth-balled. Some of trees that are being cut down are balete and acacia. 

 

This has angered heritage advocates and environmentalists. 

 

 

"Dapat hindi pinuputol iyan [heritage trees] kasi napakahirap na ibalik iyan at hindi pwedeng basta-basta i-earthball iyan lalo na kung century tree. Hindi pwedeng i-earthball iyan. May mga edad lang ng puno na pwede nating i-earthball,"  said DENR USec. Jonas Leonas.

 

He said that DENR is monitoring the incident and looks into starting a probe on how the permit was issued.  —Trisha Macas/JST, GMA News