Manila folk sad over 200 trees felled along Quirino Highway for expressway project

Residents of Manila expressed their dismay after over 200 trees along Quirino Highway were cut down to give way for an expressway project.

In Mark Salazar’s report in “24 Oras” on Wednesday, the ongoing logging operations aim to completely clear all the 617 trees, following a permit issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

One of the 225 trees that were cut down was an old narra tree that was over 50 years old, the DENR – National Capital Region said.

The trees were cut off for the construction of the nearly four-kilometer Southern Access Link Expressway Project (SALEX).

People who were familiar with the place expressed sadness over the fate of the trees.

“Nanghihinayang ako kasi matagal kami dati dito e… Dito kami nadaan, malilim. Ewan ko ba bakit di nila kaya yung sa ibang bansa na hinuhukay tapos ililipat sa ibang lugar,” said Ric.

(It’s such a waste because we lived here for a long time... We used to pass by here, and there was enough shade. I don’t know why they couldn’t just do what they do in other countries, where they earth-ball the trees and relocate them elsewhere.)

But the DENR said there were trees that cannot be transferred through “earth-balling.”

“‘Pag nag-apply po sila, pumupunta tayo sa area, ini-inspect po natin and based sa recommendation po nga nila, 100 plus will be earth-balled. As we can, we try to avoid cutting po,” said Michael Drake Matias, DENR-NCR regional executive director.

(When they apply for a permit, we visit the area to inspect it. Based on their recommendation, over 100 trees will be earth-balled. We try to avoid cutting them as much as we can.)

The SALEX will feature four elevated lanes traversing Quirino Avenue and areas near Roxas Boulevard to help ease traffic congestions.

Some citizens said the trees offered a shade from the sun.

“Wala kami magawa kasi putol na. Hangga’t maaari sana, hindi sana. kasi maluwag naman ang space at nakakatulong talaga siya sa init, or kahit papaano naman nakakasilong naman kami sa puno,” said JC.

(There’s nothing we can do anymore because they’ve already been cut down. If only it could have been avoided, we would have preferred that, because the space is wide enough anyway. The trees really helped shield us from the heat, and at the very least, they provided us with shade.)

Under the law, the requesting entity is required to plant 50,700 seedlings to replace the 617 trees that were cut down. This is a condition for the issuance of the tree-cutting permit.

“In terms of carbon sequestration, these replacements will somehow be able to achieve or at least offset some of the carbon sequestration potential of this, given na ang replacement natin ay times 100. So ang challenge na lang po sa atin ay mabuhay, to which ito po ang ginagawa natin in partnership with the local government,” Matias said.

(In terms of carbon sequestration, these replacements will somehow be able to achieve or at least offset the carbon sequestration potential of the lost trees, given that our replacement is times 100. So, our only remaining challenge is ensuring their survival, which is what we are working on in partnership with the local government.)

The replacement seedlings will be planted in Manila and their growth closely monitored. — Vince Angelo Ferreras/JMA, GMA News