By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA — The controversial cutting of trees along major roads in Manila became one of the dominant talking points during the latest Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum hosted by veteran journalist Marichu Villanueva, where environmental concerns once again collided with the government’s aggressive infrastructure push.
The forum featured Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Acting Secretary Juan Miguel “Mitch” Cuna, who faced questions and public concerns over the removal of trees affected by the Southern Access Link Expressway project, particularly along Quirino Avenue and nearby areas.
What began as a road development issue has since evolved into a broader public debate on environmental protection, urban planning, and government accountability.
During the discussion, Cuna acknowledged the growing public backlash over the project and stressed that the DENR would continue reviewing environmental safeguards and mitigation measures tied to the tree-cutting operations. He also emphasized the need to balance infrastructure development with environmental protection amid increasing climate-related challenges facing the country.
The issue triggered widespread criticism online after residents and environmental advocates questioned the removal of mature trees in one of the country’s hottest and most flood-prone urban centers.
While authorities maintained that permits and environmental clearances were secured for the project, critics argued that legality alone does not automatically justify the environmental cost.
Many residents fear that the continued loss of urban trees will further worsen Metro Manila’s already severe heat conditions, air pollution, and flooding problems. Environmental groups stressed that decades-old trees serve as natural protection against extreme temperatures and help absorb rainwater during heavy downpours — a crucial defense for a city that regularly suffers flooding during the rainy season.
The issue also reopened broader concerns over long-term environmental planning in the country.
Observers noted that despite repeated public campaigns encouraging Filipinos to conserve resources and protect the environment, questions persist regarding accountability in large-scale projects and industries linked to environmental degradation. Critics pointed to watershed destruction, shrinking green spaces, and unchecked urban expansion as factors steadily weakening the country’s natural defenses against climate-related disasters.
Several participants in the forum emphasized that development and environmental protection should not be treated as opposing goals, warning that poor planning today could leave future generations facing even more severe environmental and public health crises.
The controversy has also resonated strongly on social media, where many Filipinos expressed frustration over what they see as a pattern of sacrificing environmental sustainability in favor of rapid infrastructure expansion. Others warned that replacing mature trees with saplings cannot immediately compensate for the ecological value lost from decades-old tree cover.
For many observers, the issue is no longer simply about road construction.
It has become a symbol of the growing public demand for responsible development — one that balances progress with environmental preservation, especially as the country faces rising temperatures, recurring water shortages, and worsening climate vulnerability.
As more clips and discussions from the Kapihan sa Manila Bay forum continue circulating online, the debate over the Manila tree-cutting controversy is expected to intensify in the coming days.
ia/xf
