CamSur Gov. Villafuerte favors cutting trees off highways in the province

Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte favors cutting off trees along the national highway traversing the province.. He finds fault on trees and electric posts along national road as main causes of road blocks, delay of rescues and deliveries during calamities.
Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte favors cutting off trees along the national highway traversing the province.. He finds fault on trees and electric posts along national road as main causes of road blocks, delay of rescues and deliveries during calamities.

After typhoon Nina caused wide destruction on the province of Camarines Sur on the night of Christmas 2016, Camarines Sur Governor Miguel Luis Villafuerte suddenly favors cutting off trees along the national highway traversing the province.

In a Facebook post, Gov. Villafuerte wrote: “My proposal to DENR (Department of Environment and Natural Resources), DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highways), and CASURECO (Camarines Sur Electric Cooperatives): Cut all trees along the national highway and replant them 20 meters set back.”

He also proposes that electric posts will have to be moved back.

The young Villafuerte, who is on his second term as governor of the province, fault the trees and electric posts along national road as main causes of road blocks, delay of rescues and deliveries during calamities.

Pushing the idea further, he ‘blamed’ its presence to have caused injuries, and in the past, deaths.

But the idea may yet get popular backing as “we will replant all cut trees, even double it if we have to, as soon as DENR gives authority.”

He observed that electric posts in the province were already 50% down, because of typhoon Nina, so it would be easier to rebuild.

Ultimately, “the relocation of trees and electric posts along the highway, we can prevent road blockages, injuries, and danger in the future,” he wrote.

The provincial governor’s post elicited positive reactions, favoring the removal of trees and relocation of electrical posts.

In 2013, the proposed removal of 651 trees on Naga City main thoroughfares for road widening, was met with strong opposition. Eventually, the proposal was turned down.

In Albay province, with then champion environmentalist Gov. Joey Salceda, trees were removed on the national highway, the same approach was implemented in Sorsogon province.

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