Before trees topple, start trimming

TREES with large branches or those in danger of toppling over from strong winds pose a danger during the rainy season.
In Cebu city, residents with fallen tress or those at risk of falling, can call the city disaster office at 262-1424.
Other emergency hotlines are 166, 160 and 161.
Requests for tree cutting or trimming can be directed to the city disaster office and will be scheduled according to priority, said Alvin Santillana, disaster council operations chief.
A masanitas tree was uprooted and fell on Gansiyang Street in barangay Mambaling during the downpour at 2 p.m yesterday.
No one was reported injured.
The Cebu city disaster office has two teams of tree cutters who use chainsaws and bolos to trim branches or cut down trees. Each team has four to five members.
The Parks and Playgrounds Commission and the Department of Public Services (DPS) also have three teams of tree cutters per department.
In Mandaue City, residents can call the Accident Control and Emergency Rescue Team (Acert) at 420-2868.
Requests to trim or cut down trees are handled by the Department of General Services (DGS) and city engineering office.
More than 100 Mandaue city government employees volunteered to clean the public market as part of efforts to reduce flooding and clean up drainage systems, said Roger Paller of the Public Information Office.
In Lapu-Lapu City, Mario Ymbong, who heads the clean and green unit of City Hall, said they will clear roads and streets of any fallen trees.