The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has launched an investigation into the contractors involved in the reported earth-balling activities along Roxas Boulevard.

In a statement released Friday, June 12, the DENR said that the probe would focus on whether the methods violated established environmental protocols and the conditions of their permits.

“DENR Enforcement personnel have been deployed to conduct an immediate site inspection and verify the circumstances surrounding the incident,” the DENR stated.

“If the earthballing is found to be unauthorized or improperly executed, the DENR will initiate legal, administrative, and permit-related actions against the responsible parties, including contractors and permit holders,” it added.

The statement was in response to the viral video taken on Thursday evening, June 11, showing the alleged cutting of trees from their roots along Roxas Boulevard as part of the construction of the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX). The said project will link the Skyway and Roxas Boulevard.

In the video, the uploader confronted the officials from San Miguel Corporation and the DENR on the alleged tree cutting and earth-balling activities.

“That’s not earth-balling. That’s bull**** ang dami niyong nagtatrabaho,” the uploader expressed.

“We’re expecting that these trees would be earth-balled. It’s not earth-balling, mabubuhay pa ba ‘yan ma’am? Yung isa doon naka higa…It’s questionable that we’re doing this at night,” the uploader added.

The department assured that urban trees are protected resources and that all project proponents are required to strictly follow environmental rules, secure proper clearances, and coordinate with them before undertaking any activity involving trees.

The DENR added that it remains committed to transparency, accountability, and the protection of urban green spaces.