DPWH warns motorists vs falling trees

BINALONAN, Pangasinan—Beware of falling dead trees.

The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) issued this warning last week to motorists traveling along the Manila North Road section from Urdaneta City to Pozorrubio town in Pangasinan province.

“Several trees along the Manila North Road (Urdaneta-Pozorrubio section) had been certified dead by the DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and may topple down without warning. Please take precautions,” said the DPWH in notices posted on tree trunks along the national highway.

Fernando Estrada, community environment and natural resources officer, said at least eight trees, mostly mahogany, had died but remained standing along the national highway.

“We can’t do anything,” said Estrada in a telephone interview.

He said the DPWH cannot cut the trees because these are now the subject of a petition for a temporary environmental protection order filed in June by environmental groups in a court in Urdaneta City.

The DPWH and the DENR are among the respondents in the petition.

“To cut them, the DPWH should first secure clearance from the court,” Estrada said. Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon