Most Manila trees marked for removal are exotic, decaying – DENR

MANILA, Philippines – Of the 617 trees marked for removal in Manila to make way for a San Miguel Corporation expressway project, 538 are exotic species, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said.

Most of these trees are decaying, wilting, deformed, and some dead. DENR said only 65 trees were found healthy and “structurally stable.”

“All trees within the project footprint were thoroughly assessed based on their physical condition to determine their potential for preservation and replanting,” the DENR said in its briefer. Dismal conditions of the trees were caused by “fungal infections, mechanical damage (resulting from vandalism or accidental cuts), nutrient deficiency and soil compaction.”

The briefer was shared with the media a day after the agency announced that San Miguel Corporation temporarily stopped the felling.

Anthony Arbias, a botanist and president of the non-profit Philippine Native Plants Conservation Society Incorporated, said the issue was not whether the trees were exotic or introduced species, but that trees in Manila were being cut down to make way for an expressway.

“Is it okay to topple down these trees because they are introduced species? First and foremost, hundreds of trees on Quirino Avenue were cut because they want to construct an expressway,” Arbias told Rappler in a message. “That’s the main issue. Let’s not forget.”

Arbias said the trees’ defects do not justify cutting them down.

“Following this logic, Metro Manila and other highly urbanized areas are on the brink of losing their green spaces, given that these spaces are full of exotic species, which means that no urban tree is safe from development projects,” said Arbias.

At least 245 trees have been cut, while 40 trees have been replanted due to SMC’s Southern Link Access Expressway (SALEX), a proposed 40.62-kilometer mixed elevated viaduct and shoreline expressway. SMC said the project would provide direct connection to the New Manila International Airport currently under construction.

The tree-cutting along Quirino Avenue was met with public outcry, even after the environment department released clarifications that they authorized the removal of trees. SMC has yet to release its own statement to confirm the voluntary stoppage and provide further details. Groups have called for the cancellation of the plan to remove the trees.

The heavily criticized move to cut down mature urban trees were endorsed by Manila City and nine barangays which issued certificates of no objection.

Environmentalists and experts denounced the felling of trees in Manila, citing their contribution to urban biodiversity and alleviating effect to climate stressors such as extreme heat and flooding. They criticized the vehicle-oriented approach towards development. – Rappler.com

المصدر: Rappler (PH)