Tree seedlings to be planted in tree-lined Dacudao Avenue

DAVAO CITY June 16 (PIA)- New seedlings will be planted to replace the felled trees in Dacudao Avenue.

The City Government of Davao has programmed the cutting of about 22 trees in the avenue which line the drainage canal.

Lakandiwa Orcullo of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRo) said the trees to be cut are dead, dying and posing danger to motorists.

Guesting at the I-Speak Media Forum earlier today (June 16) Orcullo said that the trees has been assessed by CENRO foresters and is indeed for cutting.

Aside from motorist safety the cutting of the trees is also needed for the rehabilitation of the Dacudao Avenue main drainage canal.

Earlier the plan was met with opposition from environmentalists and the city councilors as it would entail the cutting of full-grown trees planted since 1993.

The Dacudao Avenue is considered a green space as 673 fully-grown trees line the leafy thoroughfare. Among the trees in the avenue are Gmelina, Narra, Molave, Indian and Neem species.

Mayor Rodrigo Duterte in a statement  made last year said that the cutting of trees is in the interest of public safety and there should be no opposition. He said there is no need to assess the findings of the CENRO as they have the neccessary expertise for the recommendation.

Meanwhile Mylai Santos of the environmental group Eco-Ateneo said the cutting should  be closely monitored and that only the trees identified and marked should be felled.  (RG Alama/PIA XI)