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Friday, March 29, 2024

32 trees to be cut within PIA-CAR lot

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BAGUIO CITY—Some 32 live trees that were planted within the compound of the Philippine Information Agency-Cordillera Administrative Region compound in Barangay Lualhati will be cut by the Office of the President to pave the way for a building that will house the offices and cottage of the Executive Secretary.

However, the tree cutting will take some time, considering the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office requested the local government to issue the required clearance to process the permit that will be issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 

Based on an investigation as requested by Engineer Carlota A. Pauly, director IV, Mansion House, for the cutting of 27 live trees, the CENRO found out that the trees are within the PIA-CAR compound which is the property of the Office of the President.

But the actual number of trees marked with paint to be cut by the Office of the President is 32, with diameters ranging from 6 to 8 centimeters and estimated heights of 2 to 4 meters, causing an uproar among environmentalists in the city.

The tree species to be cut are caliandra trees that were planted by the PIA-CAR staff and registered as the site of their compliance to the government’s National Greening Program in 2011. 

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The CENRO cited in its report that according to a staff of the Mansion House, the office of the President wants to remove and cut the caliandra trees to be replaced with Benguet pine trees. 

Further, the CENRO recommended that thinning of the existing trees will be done at the same time planting of Benguet pine species shall be made to preserve the trees pursuant to existing DENR laws, rules and regulations.

Earlier, the CENRO was directed by the DENR-CAR regional office to conduct an inventory of the live trees that had been requested by Mansion House management to be cut in coordination with the applicant and submit the required report together with the mandatory requirements as basis for further action on the request.

Under existing DENR laws, rules and regulations, applicants for the issuance of tree cutting permits for more than 10 trees are required to secure the necessary clearance from the concerned local chief executive prior to the issuance of the required permits for the purpose by the agency.

The PIA-CAR has been given an ultimatum up to the end of this month to vacate the Cordillera House which is serving as its office and media center to allow the office of the Executive Secretary to implement its project of putting up a building that will accommodate its offices and cottages for the extension of the services of the office of the President not only in the city but also in the whole region.

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