Code allowing tree-cutting cited in word war on project

TREE stumps litter the road shoulder of the MacArthur Highway (Manila North Road) in Binalonan town, Pangasinan province. The trees were cut to give way to the ongoing road-widening project from Rosales to Sison towns. WILLIE LOMIBAO/CONTRIBUTOR

SISON, Pangasinan—The word war over the cutting of trees for a road expansion project in the province continued Wednesday with former congressman Mark Cojuangco saying the provincial government actually violated its own environment code that allowed the cutting of trees for crucial road projects.

In a news conference on Tuesday, Cojuangco said the provincial government has violated the Pangasinan Environmental Code of 2012, which allows the removal of trees and structures from areas primed for road widening projects.

“For national roads, 10 meters from the center line should be free from obstructions,” said Cojuangco, son of businessman Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco who founded the Nationalist People’s Coalition, the most dominant political party in Pangasinan.

“Tree-planting activities within the 10-meter setback are not allowed. It shall also include the removal of existing trees and structures affected by road widening within the right of way,” Cojuangco said, citing the code.

The code was approved by Gov. Amado Espino in July 2012.

Last week, Espino endorsed the Aug. 26 agreement among the provincial government, environmental groups, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), to spare 770 trees on the Manila North Road (MNR), which is being widened.

Contradictions

The 770 trees were among the 1,829 trees that the DPWH was allowed to cut to give way to the road widening project. But when the DWPH’s tree-cutting permit expired in February, only 1,059 trees were felled.

In a statement, Espino said the deal was an offshoot of a provincial board resolution opposing the cutting of trees along national and local roads in Pangasinan and “to preserve as many trees as possible.”

Cojuangco had criticized the agreement, saying it had blocked a valuable government project.

Last week, Espino said he sought a review of the MNR widening project, given that the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway (TPLEx) is being built parallel to the MNR to cater to fast-lane travelers.

Provincial Administrator Rafael Howard Baraan also sent a text message saying Cojuangco “should learn and begin to listen to the silent majority.”

But Cojuangco said Espino and the provincial board members were contradicting themselves.

“How can they now oppose the project when the legal document they passed and approved showed they are for cutting down of trees, if needed, to widen the road?” Cojuangco said.

Reduced to politics

Some local groups have reacted to the political bickering that arose due to the tree-cutting controversy.

“To reduce the efforts of civil society to save trees as but part of Pangasinan politics is to insult the integrity of environmentalists,” said Virginia Pasalo, director of the Women in Development Foundation and commissioner of the Pangasinan Historical and Cultural Commission. Reports from Yolanda Sotelo and Gabriel Cardinoza, Inquirer Northern Luzon