Council: No cutting of trees at Lahug’s Triangular Island

The Cebu City Council has “vehemently denied” the application of the Cebu City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CCENRO) to cut the trees at the Triangular Island near JY Square, Barangay Lahug Cebu City to pave way for a site development of Cebu City government.

The council came up with the decision following the letter of the CCENRO endorsed by Councilor Joel Garganera, Chairman of the Committee on Environment of the City Council during the regular session last Wednesday.

Attached in the endorsement letter is the report conducted by the CCENRO after its ocular inspection of the trees at the Triangular Island.

“The said trees need to be removed because of the proposed site development by Cebu City Government,” reads the report.

The report further stated that on February 21, 2024, CCENRO conducted an ocular inspection of the trees in the same area

According to a discussion cited in the report, the site will be developed into the proposed roundabout junction.

CCENRO Team inspected the area as prescribed in City Ordinance No. 2623 "Earth-Balling Cutting or Removal of Trees Ordinance of Cebu City."

The report further reads that based on the ocular inspection done by CCENRO Team, despite having served their environmental significance, the said trees need to be removed because the Cebu City government will construct the proposed roundabout junction at the site.

“Therefore, the CCENRO team recommends for the removal of the abovementioned trees,” the report said.

It is required that for a tree that is cut will be replaced with 100 assorted indigenous saplings to be donated to the CCENRO before the tree-cutting operation.

The number of saplings to be donated will be determined based on provision of City Ordinance No. 2623.

“Upon the approval of earth-balling or cutting request, supervision of the CCENRO personnel is required during the operation/implementation of the request,” their report also assures.

However, during the session, Garganera sought to “vehemently deny” the application, a move the council unanimously agreed.