ILOILO CITY, April 22 (PNA) –- The Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) here is inviting Regional Director Ediberto Tayao and other Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) officials to a meeting on Tuesday, April 29 regarding cutting of trees at the center island along Gen. Luna highway.
City councilor Plaridel Nava said the SP-DPWH interaction will hopefully clear the air on the implementation of DPWH projects in the city and the seeming disregard of the agency on proper coordination with city officials.
Aside from the city mayor, vice mayor and city councilors, the conference meeting will also be attended by DPWH district engineer Rodney Gustilo, city engineer Roberto Divinagracia, city legal officer Dan Dinopol and the city environment and natural resources office.
Nava said they are not questioning the road widening project of DPWH along Gen Luna street but construction workers have cut down some heritage trees without coordination with the city officials, with a plan of planting royal palms at the center island.
Some of the trees were planted more than 50 years ago and considered as heritage trees, giving out oxygen and minimizing air pollution in the area.
The city councilor said the DPWH must not cut down the trees but merely trim them to pave the way for road widening. (PNA)
LAP/AJP/LCP/VLO