DPWH-10 starts cutting down trees in CDO for road projects

The Department of Public Works and Highways-Northern Mindanao (DPWH-10) has started cutting trees in uptown Cagayan de Oro for road construction and widening works.

Up to 103 trees are expected to be taken down.

"Guot man gud na diha nga area bali before naghimo og widening ang DPWH dinha gi-consult sa nato ang LGU ana nga lugar ug isa pud sa na-suggest is i-widen gyud ang area kay guot siya," DPWH-10 Spokesperson, Roshelle Novie Cabrido, said.

The project, which costs more than P70 million, will be implemented in Barangay Balulang and up to Barangay Lumbia. It aims to expand the road by adding one more lane on each side.

The project started in March 2024 and is expected to be finished in January 2025.

DPWH-10 said the project may be delayed because of some issues, including the cutting of trees. However, the agency clarified that it already obtained a permit from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR).

"Ang kahoy dayun nga maputol mao dayun na maghatag ang contractor og seedlings equivalent atong indicated sa katung TCP (Tree Cutting Permit)," Cabrido added.

The project will also address the traffic problem caused by increasing number of establishments and housing projects in the uptown area.

The Roads and Traffic Administration (RTA) of Cagayan de Oro has already implemented new traffic schemes to manage the traffic.

"Continuous ang atong information campaign education ug atong pagpang-ticket sa mga kaigsuonan nato nga mga drivers nga medyo gahi og ulo dihang dapita," RTA Spokesperson, James Andrade, said. — GMA Regional TV