Town protests loss of centuries-old ‘tree tunnel’ to road widening project

Residents of Bulan town in Sorsogon have kicked off campaigns to protest the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) cutting down centuries-old trees for a road widening project.

Protesters launched noise barrages and loitered around the fallen trees of Brgy. Fabrica's tree tunnel, "24 Oras" reported Friday evening. Residents claim that the trees beside the highway have been around for generations and are distraught at the loss of a town landmark.

"Hangga't mayroong gustong pumutol ng puno narito kami para ipaglaban namin yung kapaligiran," said Alwin Mataverde, a member of USWAG-Bulan, which wants the DPWH to stop cutting the trees.



While the DPWH has no plans to stop, Department of Environment and Natural Resources regional executive director Gilbert Gonzales said the DPWH have promised to plant 50 trees for every tree felled for the road project.

"Kumuha sila ng clearance at cutting permit, so hindi naman sila nagpuputol o kaya nagii-start ng kanilang widening program hanggang hindi naga-grant ang kanilang permit," said Gonzales.

The DPWH plans to cut down 301 trees for the road project. A hundred have already been cut down since the project started last week. — Rie Takumi/JDS, GMA News