DENR 7 Seeks Coordination with P10.6B BRT Project Head on Affected Trees

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) 7 has asked the project manager of the PHP10.6-billion Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Cebu City to coordinate with the agency on the trees to be affected by the project.

More than 2,000 trees situated in the center islands and sidewalks along N. Bacalso St. and the Banilad-Talamban road, among others, will soon be removed for the implementation of the 16-kilometer project, which will run from Barangay Bulacao in the city’s south to Barangay Talamban in the north.

These include mahogany, gmelina, fire and Indian trees and narra, a premium native species.

Cebu City BRT Project Manager lawyer Rafael Yap earlier sent a letter-request to the DENR 7, asking it to conduct an environmental impact assessment to determine the number of trees that will be affected by the project.

DENR 7 Information Officer Eddie Llamedo said it is not just DENR’s responsibility to solely assess the series of roads affected by the project.

The DENR also required BRT proponents to conduct a public consultation “to get the real sentiment of the public” on the cutting of trees, to avoid complains.

Llamedo said Yap will also have to invite officials of barangays, which are on the path of the BRT route, such as Basak, Mambaling, Talamban, Banilad and Apas, among others.

Llamedo said several trees will be cut to pave way for the bus transit, but the DENR will try to save some.

“As much as possible, the number of trees to be cut will be lessened,” he said.

He said that for every tree cut, a hundred will be reforested in the upland areas where they are less likely to be disturbed by further road projects. (PNA) CTB/EB/SSC