CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Residents of a relocation site here have sought assistance from the city government over three Antipolo trees which they deem as unsafe to them and their properties.
ONE of the Antipolo trees that residents perceive as unsafe. (Photo courtesy of John Paul Barsopia)
Reynald Naguita, a resident of Pamalihi Permanent Relocation in Barangay Pagatpat whose house is situated in front of the Antipolo trees, spearheaded the move by coordinating with the City Housing and Urban Development Department (CHUDD), the office of the city government that manages all the relocation sites.
“The three Antipolo trees grow near the cliff possible of landslide and may cause an accident to our residences and children,” a letter signed by Naguita said.
CHUDD overseer John Paul Barsopia said that he personally handed over the letter asking for help to cut down these hazardous trees to the City Mayor’s Office and City Local Environment and Natural Resources Office (CLENRO).
The office of Mayor Rolando Uy received the letter on Wednesday, January 17.
REYNALD Naguita, a resident of the Pamalihi Permanent Relocation in Barangay Pagatpat, Cagayan de Oro City, shows one of the Antipolo trees that could damage their premises and endanger residents. (Photo courtesy of John Paul Barsopia)
Engr. Armen Cuenca, department manager of CLENRO, confirmed that they received the letter and he will endorse it to the office’s Natural Resources Division for an inspection to determine if the trees need to be cut down or pruned.
“We will then ask for a permit from CENRO (Community Environment and Natural Resources Office) in Initao so that those trees will be cut down,” Cuenca said.
He said that identifying the risk level of the trees is part of the inspection. If CLENRO considers them high-risk, they will immediately cut them down without a permit from CENRO due to imminent danger.
If a permit is necessary, CLENRO still needs to gather the requirements required by CENRO, such as permission from the land owner, among others. “The city government will facilitate in order to help them cut the trees if they need to be cut or prune them if they need to be pruned. It depends on the result of the investigation,” Cuenca said.
The CLENRO chief assured that necessary support would be given to guarantee the safety of residents.