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[av_heading heading=’ON CUTTING OF POTOTAN TREES
‘Trees important but we need to save lives’ ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
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ILOILO – Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr. defended the cutting down of trees lining the national highway in Pototan town for a highway widening project.
“You know how passionate I am about reforestation. Pero the higher interest of the people should prevail,” said Defensor.
The highway widening aims to reduce vehicular accidents, he explained.
“The highway in Pototan is narrow and this is one of the causes of many vehicular accidents there. Many have died as a result,” Defensor lamented.
Over five thousand mahogany trees growing by the roadside face cutting.
“Kon pagusto-gusto lang, ako gid ang una nga indi gusto mautod sinang mga kahoy kay those were part of the reforestation and greening programs sang gobyerno halin pa sang tiempo ni (President Ferdinand) Marcos,” said Defensor.
But he said he must “forego my passion for trees over the higher interest of our people, to saves lives, to prevent accidents. These prevail over and above my passion for the preservation of the trees we have planted.”
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) is the government agency overseeing the highway widening. Defensor confirmed he helped hasten the issuance of permit for the cutting of trees.
The felled trees will be turned over to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
DENR, under a joint circular with DPWH and Department of Social Welfare and Development, will turn over the trees to DSWD.
DSWD will use the trees for whatever projects it may come up for the poorest people of Pototan or to the victims of super typhoon Yolanda in 2013.
“It could be for schools also basta within the area (Pototan). Indi lang pwede ibaligya, bawal,” said DENR regional director Jim Sampulna.
He also said for every felled tree, at least 50 tree seedlings will be planted in Pototan./PN
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