Atienza bars property developer from cutting trees

SUBIC BAY FREEPORT, Philippines — Environment Secretary Lito Atienza on Wednesday laid down conditions to a Korean leisure property developer that plans to remove more than 300 trees to pave the way for a $120-million casino-hotel project. Mr. Atienza said Ocean 9 Casino and Hotel should redesign the project to save the environment by incorporating mature trees as part of its development. "Let’s work together to implement a win-win solution," he told company executives. Mr. Atienza inspected the two-hectare prime property in the heart of Subic’s central business district barely a week after his office revoked the powers of Freeport authorities to issue environmental permits. — Reynaldo Garcia, BusinessWorld