BACOLOD City – The Bacolod City Council is pushing for the protection of trees, plants, and wildlife habitats within the Bacolod Public Plaza amid its ongoing redevelopment.
The Sangguniang Panlungsod (SP) approved a proposed resolution authored by Councilor Em Ang during its recent session, urging the city government to direct Amigo Entertainment Technologies Inc., the project’s contractor, to coordinate with the Bacolod Environment and Natural Resources Office (BENRO) to preserve existing flora and fauna and restore any damage caused by construction activities.
The measure calls for the identification and protection of trees, plants, and wildlife habitats within the plaza before and during the rehabilitation, particularly the historic tindalo tree, considered the city’s only surviving tree of its kind.
The tree was planted by then President Manuel L. Quezon in 1938 to commemorate Bacolod’s conversion into a city.
Ang said the resolution also urges the contractor to secure all necessary permits and clearances, including a Resolution of No Objection from the city council, before trimming or removing any trees.
It further requires the restoration of damaged trees, plants, and habitats through replanting using species recommended by BENRO.
The contractor must also submit a restoration plan for the agency’s assessment, while BENRO is tasked with monitoring compliance with preservation and restoration measures throughout the redevelopment until all restoration work is completed.
The resolution noted that the Public Plaza serves as an important green space in the city’s urban center, providing shade and habitats for birds and other wildlife.
It also cited a 2017 study published in the West Visayas State University Research Journal, which documented 52 woody plant species belonging to 26 families across three public green spaces in Bacolod, including the Public Plaza.
The plaza rehabilitation is part of the P300-million redevelopment project funded by the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA), with approximately P80 million allocated for the site.
The first phase of the redevelopment began in July 2025, with completion targeted this year.
The measure emphasized that protecting existing trees and wildlife habitats during construction is more practical and less costly than replacing them after they have been damaged./PN