Public told not to plant trees within road right of way

BAGUIO CITY – The Department of Public Works and Highways- Cordillera (DPWH-CAR) reminded the public to avoid planting trees within road right of way to avoid future problems on road widening projects at a media conference on Wednesday, June 26, 2019.
DPWH Planning and Design Division chief Angelita Mabitazan said they no longer allow planting of trees within 60 meters of road right of way.
Meanwhile, DPWH Regional Director Tiburcio Canlas said problems that happened in the past should be a lesson for people to stop planting trees near road right of way to avoid problems arising during road constructions and developments.
“That’s been a problem of the past, nakita ko na yan sa Central Luzon, yung dun sa San Fernando. Ngayon, pano mo tatanggalin yan, tinaniman ng ano, yung old na mga engineers, dapat ngayon alam natin yan, wag na tayo magtanim along the road right of way,” Tiburcio said.
Tiburcio also said problems could be avoided if properly coordinated with their office.
“Kung magtatanim tayo ng halaman, please lang, tanungin muna ang DPWH, kasi eventually mamomromroblema rin ang DPWH tinanim nyo sa area namin.
Imagine DPWH asking for a tree cutting permit. In the first place, hindi natin dapat tinanim yung puno diyan sa road right of way,” Tiburcio added.
Tiburcio encouraged planting trees in forests, strengthen zonings and avoid building houses near road right of way.
“Parang subdivision yan, may area intended for forest, 20% is intended for forest, you don’t cut trees, dun ka lang magtanim,” he added.
 
Samantha Carrera, UC Intern/ABN

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