Davao City Council shelves resolution opposing tree cutting at Dacudao Avenue

DAVAO CITY, January 20 (PIA) Members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod ng Davao shelved Resolution 01-00-15 opposing the move to cut the trees along Dacudao Avenue during its regular session Tuesday.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chair of the finance, ways and means of the city councilor no longer showed interest to pursue the issue following the clarification made by Engr. Elieza Madrazo, chief of the City Environment and Natural Resources that only 22 either rotten or dead trees will be cut.

She said the CENRO awaits the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, the agency allowed by law to authorize the cutting of trees after sending them the recommendation. “There are more than two hundred trees in Dacudao area and only 22 trees need to be removed due to public safety,” Madrazo said.

She said the trees are mostly forest trees and ornamental plants. Madrazo said they are still awaiting the approval from the DENR.

She said these trees have been there for more than 20 years.

Madrazo said the proposed drainage project in the area requires the need to cut 22 trees in the area with some rotten and some are leaning towards the drainage.

Dayanghirang surmised the removal of 22 trees has minimal impact on the environment.

Earlier, Mayor Rodrigo Duterte favored the removal of the 22 trees at Dacudao Avenue for public safety.  (PIA 11-Joey Sem G. Dalumpines)