‘Bus firm operations threat to Quezon City urban forest’

A bus company  based in Barangay Pinyahan, Quezon City, has been accused of destroying an urban forest and producing noise pollution.

The Kalikasan party-list has filed a complaint against  JAC Liner in the DENR-Pollution Adjucation Board (PAB), saying the expansion of the bus company’s terminal in the residential area has led to the cutting of trees in Callejon Makabayan Urban Forest, pervasive diesel fumes and sustained noise pollution in the neighborhood.

The company was given an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) for its project.

Kalikasan said the ECC should be revoked  as the operations of  JAC Liner  have threatened the urban forest, which serves as a buffer between the area and  pollution along neighboring Edsa.

The group has called on the PAB to investigate the project and Jac Liner’s development site.

“The loss of urban forest cover compounds the diesel fumes and noise pollution, thereby causing environmental hazards to the residents nearby,” the complaint said.

“In view of all the foregoing, we request  your good office to immediately conduct an investigation, revoke the ECC and the Tree-Cutting Permit issued by DENR-NCR, and issue an order for the permanent closure of JAC Liner’s site development and utilization of the 3,000 sq m area in the Callejon Makabayan Urban Forest.

This includes the removal of  of JAC Liner’s construction crew and barracks in addition to not  allowing its buses to  park in the area, Kalikasan said in its letter to PAB.

According to Kalikasan, the company was able to clear what is estimated to be over half of the trees designated for cutting and balling as part of its  construction activities.

JAC Liner also utilized the vacant lot as a parking lot for diesel bus units reaching up to 20 or more at a time, and a as a training ground of nine “constantly barking” bomb-sniffing dogs. All these activities are disruptive to the neighborhood, Kalikasan claimed.