Archive for the ‘tree cutting’ Category
BAGUIO CITY – Tricycles are now banned anywhere in the city.
The city council has approved on final reading Ordinance No. 28 series of 2012 “banning all tricycles within the territorial boundaries” of the city due their unsuitability as a mode of transportation in the city.
Councilor Philian Weygan-Allan, author of the measure, said tricycles have begun to proliferate in various parts of the city as individuals and businessmen running water delivery, junk shop, liquefied petroleum gas, ice cream and general merchandise trades resorted to using said means to ply their trade to avoid traffic congestion and the high cost of petroleum and gasoline.
“The presence of these tricycles recently created traffic problems instead of decongesting especially in Marcos Highway, Bakakeng Central, Camp 7, Kennon Road, Legarda Road and other roads of Baguio City,” Weygan noted.
She said the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) recommended the total prohibition on tricycles as apart from being unfit to the terrainous condition of roads in the city, tricycles will impede traffic flow along roads especially on the ascending portions.
The city police also said that motorcycles being converted into tricycles were originally manufactured or engineered as single motor vehicle and not as a tricycle and this is likely to cause road safety issue because of the introduced modification.
The police also cited the high incidence of accidents both homicide and physical injuries caused by motorcycles rapidly which has increased for the past two years now.
Weygan said in social networking sites, the general opinion is that the City of Baguio must maintain minimum noise and keep the place in an environment-friendly condition, which tricycles cannot give.
As approved, violators will be fined from P500 to P3,000 or face imprisonment of 30-60 days. – A Refuerzo
http://baguio.gov.ph/?q=content/weygan-seeks-moratorium-tree-cutting-baguio
Weygan seeks moratorium on tree cutting for Baguio
BAGUIO CITY – Councilor Philian Louise Weygan Allan is now proposing a special declaration from the president for a moratorium on the tree cutting and earthballing of Benguet Pine trees here.
Weygan Allan pushed for the resolution in the hills of an on-going fight for the survival and protection of thousands of trees found in the city which are ‘in danger’ of being transferred or cut to pave the way for development.
‘It has been reported that based on DENR records, there are at least 4,078 applications for tree cutting permits for various construction and development projects from 2002 to 2011’, She said.
‘In that same period, at least 600 trees were earthballed including 503 within the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) and Camp John Hay’, Allan added.
It can be recalled that residents of Baguio protested against the earthballing of about 182 trees in Luneta Hill for the planned expansion of SM here which resulted in public uproar bringing to the fore other areas in the city where Benguet Pine trees are also being cut or is in danger of being cut.
Weygan Allan said, ‘the city should request his Excellency President Benigno Aquino III to issue a moratorium on the cutting and earthballing of trees in the city of Baguio, except when the trees pose danger to persons and property’.
Allan said, ‘a moratorium is needed to protect further the trees which is found in areas where development is being introduced by private owners and even for government funded projects’.
Executive Order 23 or the moratorium issued by the President prohibits the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) from issuing or renewing tree cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide, except for clearing of road right of way by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal.
It also allows the issuance of permits for tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Right Act (IPRA Law) subject to strict compliance with existing guidelines of the DENR.
‘The moratorium issued under EO 23 is only for logging, the city needs something more concrete’, She said.
‘The pronouncement of the president then to protect our city from over building is good news, Weygan Allan said.
This was also bolstered by the move of the present administration to stop the sale of government lands in Baguio City in order to protect the environment from further urban decay.
If the president issues a moratorium for Baguio, then we can protect what remains of our trees’, she stressed. ***paul rillorta
Tree cutting moratorium
Posted on: May 27, 2012
Baguio opens two function halls at Heritage Hill and Nature Park to the public
By Carlito C. Dar
FacebookYahooEmailShareThisThe function halls, which are part of the city government’s development projects for the Heritage Hill and Nature Park, are open to the public for any event or activity such as weddings, trainings, workshops, and seminars, among others.
Baguio Heritage Committee co-chair Councilor Philian Loise Weygan, in a kapihan media forum, said that the city’s development projects at the said Heritage Hill and Nature Park are part of the city’s goal to preserve the area as a heritage site as well as to promote it as a historical, spiritual, and environmental area that both the people of Baguio and tourist alike, can visit and enjoy.
The place is also the site of the biggest Ten Commandment stone tablet in the world, which was officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Record.
The Baguio Dominican Heritage Hill and Nature Park was a property of the Dominican Order in 1900s. The building, which was inaugurated in 1915 , was first used as a summer retreat house. In 1973, Diplomat Hotels gained ownership but ceased operations in 1987. Later, it became a property of the Ministry of the Human Settlements and later by the Presidential Management Staff.
The area was later conveyed to Baguio City and officially became its property with Transfer Certificate of Title (TCT) number T-85948 entered in April 5, 2005. Based on the Deed of Conveyance and City Resolutions, the city shall rehabilitate the old building, develop the property into a nature park with appropriate amenities and facilities for tourism, spiritual, environmental, and historical purposes.
According to Weygan, the city government has already spent P35 million worth of development projects in the area, which are now being maintained by the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO). Security personnel are also in place to ensure order and safety.
Weygan also disclosed that they have also already submitted a project proposal for the establishment of an eco-walk trail, gazebo, and view deck, which would be an added attraction for visitors and tourists. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
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