Barangay aid sought in cutting trees

LOCAL disaster prevention officials will tap barangay officials in cutting down old trees that could collapse anytime soon.

Alvin Santillana, executive director of the Cebu City Risk Reduction Management Council (CCRRMC), said labor costs and limitations hinder them from completing the task.

“As early as last year we started cutting down old buri trees but we can’t complete them immediately. It’s not an easy task and we’re looking for people who know how to do the job,” Santillana said.

Cutting down Cebu City’s old trees was pushed by city officials in the wake of the death of a passenger jeepney driver who was caught under an acacia tree in front of the Zapatera Elementary School in Sikatuna Street, Cebu City, last Wednesday afternoon.

Santillana said it will cost P25,000 to P50,000 to cut down a tree.

He said the city only has one expert tree cutter employed as a job-order worker under City Hall’s Parks and Playgrounds Commission.

Santillana said the city government also used to hire a contractor to cut down these aging trees.

But the contractor quit due to unpaid claims amounting to P120,000.

Santillana said barangay officials and tanods can help cut down trees while the city can tap its calamity funds for this purpose. Chief of Reporters Doris C. Bongcac