TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol, Aug. 3 (PIA) -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources  in Region 7 (DENR-7) has asked Shell Corporation and its outsourced construction company to plant 1,000 indigenous tree species for every acacia tree that they cut without securing the necessary permits and consultations to give way to a gasoline station.

Also contained in the recommendations of the DENR-7 is for the Forestview Realty and Development Incorporated, which is the construction company commissioned by Shell Philippines.

Shell Philippines contracted Forestview Realty Development Inc. to build a gasoline station at the corner of CPG north Avenue and Zamora Street in Taloto District.

Purposedly to give way for the construction, at least four acacia and some bangkal trees were cut in time for the Holy Week, which possibly lessened the chances of commuters seeing the environmental crime.

The DENR 7 through Regional Executive Director Paquito Melicor, in his letter to the Sangguniang Panlalawigan, ruled that the construction company and the gasoline station project proponent have to plant native trees in exchange for every one of the exotic acacia trees they cut to allow unhampered construction.

While acacia trees are not native to the Philippines and are introduced during the Spanish period, it provides shade and captures carbon emissions for a cleaner environment for over a hundred years. 

During a public hearing on the issue, Tagbilaran City Mayor Jane Yap, upon whose jurisdiction the developers sought for a building permit, said nowhere in their application did the site development plan include the cutting of acacia trees.

She added that the site development plan for the buildings include a big portion of the property undeveloped, refuting the claim that the developers need more space for the project.

The Community Environment and Natural Resources Office said the developer was able to secure a certification that the acacia trees were planted in a private lot.

As acacia trees have been deregulated species and being a planted tree, as certified, it does not need any cutting permit anymore.

The subject acacia trees lining along CPG North Avenue, according to residents, have been credited for the cold air in the area, leading to it being called Baguio Drive.

With at least four acacia trees chopped to the ground and its lumber now untraceable, the DENR-7 has ordered Forestview and Shell Philippines to plant at least 4,000 native tree species in the DENR identified National Greening Program (NGP) sites.

With the purpose of monitoring the enforcement and compliance to the DENR order, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) Committee of the Whole is passing a resolution requesting the construction company and its project proponent to submit to the SP proof of compliance of planting the 1,000 indigenous trees in exchange for every fallen acacia tree.    

The DENR, upon learning that the SP was mulling on an ordinance declaring all acacia trees planted along national highways, roads, and plazas be declared as heritage trees, said those acacia trees with a diameter of 1 meter or more could be declared as centennial and historical trees.

The proposed ordinance declaring acacia trees as centennial and historical trees is now pending before the Committee on Environment. (RAHC/PIA-7 Bohol)