SINCE nine out of 25 century-old trees along Cebu’s southern highway are “hazardous” and deteriorating, Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia and traffic official Sylvan Jakosalem agreed to allow construction crews to cut them down for public safety.
“We should really preserve the acacia trees because they are part of our heritage. However, when it comes to the safety and security of our people then that should take priority,” Garcia said in a press conference after a meeting with government agencies.
Jakosalem, Cebu City Traffic Operations Management (Citom) chairman, said he agreed after being shown photos of rotting acacia trucks and trees bending low towards the road.
“It’s a government organization (Department of Environment and Natural Resources) that supposedly we can trust. And if they say the tree is ill and posing danger, and if proven dangerous, it’s okay ” Jakosalem said.
Jakosalem was earlier vocal in objecting to cutting down trees along the southern highway where 155 acacia, narra and fruit trees would be affected by an ongoing P123 million road widening project.
His great grandfather the late Cebu Gov. Dionisio Jakosalem ordered the trees planted in 1915.
He was invited by Governor Garcia to attend the DENR briefing at the Capitol yesterday.
The 113 other trees of specieis like narra, tamarind and star apple were recommended for earth-balling.
The agency, which completed an inventory of the trees within the 30-meter easement along the national highway, recommended that nine out of 25 century-old acacia trees be cut down because they were hazardous, defective and need immediate attention.”
The fate of the rest of the giant trees remains unclear, as the road project continues. Only the Environment Secretary can issue a tree-cutting permit for them.
One “dead” acacia tree in Naga City was already taken down.
Jakosalem said he agreed to the cutting provided that the 16 remaining trees be preserved.
The governor said she agrees with suggestions to establish a center island to preserve the trees.
The road widening project covers the cities of Naga and Carcar and San Fernando town.
The first phase of the project spans about 15 kilometers from Tinaan, Naga to Langtad, Naga.
The two-lane road will have three additional lanes.
With the earthballing option, Garcia said other local government units offered to take them.
Garcia said the trees can also be transferred to the Balili estate in barangay Tinaan, Naga City.
Garcia urged the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to prepare a plan on how to deal with the acacia trees in other areas in the south.
Garcia said Phase 2 affects a canopy of acacia trees in Carcar City.
DPWH officials, Naga City Mayor Valdemar Chiong, Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura and Jakosalem attended the briefing.
DPWH-7 Regional Director Ador Canlas said they will study the recommendations to put up a center island.
AR Adlawan Construction is pouring concrete in phase 1 roads but has skipped portions to avoid standing trees until the issue is resolved.
The Jakosalem clan earlier threatened to sue anyone who cut heritage trees along the Naga-Carcar stretch.
DENR officials earlier admitted that earth balling old acacia trees especially those with trunks measuring more than 1 meter in diameter was not viable since since the mortality rate was high and that there was no budget for this.
Jakosalem admitted the area where the on-going road widening is ‘critical’ because it’s a choke point from four lanes to two expanded lanes from Naga and onwards.