Silang, Cavite residents decry cutting of 68 trees for a road widening project

SILANG, Cavite – Some residents are decrying the cutting of 68 trees along Silang-Aguinaldo Highway for a road widening project.

On Oct. 18, a resident started an online signature campaign against the initiative.

"There are approximately 60+ trees to be cut down due to impending road widening along Silang - Aguinaldo Highway. This is to give way to cars and the influx of more cars once CALAX (Cavite–Laguna Expressway) is opened," the Change.org petition said.

"With the urgent calls for action to combat climate change, why is our Government not heeding the call? And why do they always focus on giving priority to the minority of Filipinos who own a car?"

As of Oct. 21, a total of 558 people have signed the petition.

In a Facebook post on Oct. 19, Mayor Corie Poblete expressed that she is also saddened that the trees had to be cut down.

According to her, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) coordinated with the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) regarding the matter.

Upon reviewing the policies and checking the situation on the ground, it has been decided that the tree-cutting needs to push through to avoid road damage from roots and accidents from branches.