The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced on Wednesday that the tree-cutting operation along Quirino Avenue will be temporarily postponed so the agency may examine which trees may be extracted from the ground instead of being chopped down.

During a Kapihan sa Manila Bay session, DENR Acting Secretary Juan Miguel Cana said the San Miguel Corporation voluntarily halted tree-cutting operations to see how many trees may still be saved, reported RH Tina Nolasco.

At present, 27 trees have been extracted or “earth-balled” out of the 94 due for relocation.

Among the locations the DENR has selected for the relocation of these trees are Intramuros, the Hidden Garden, and the Philippine Center Island.

Previously, Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso said all these earth-balled trees from Quirino Ave. will be transferred to Intramuros.

According to Cuna, they may consider more locations for the replanting of saved trees.

Cuna said he was working with the local governments and secured permission from nearby barangays to cut down or remove these trees.

“Masakit at mabigat na tungkulin ng DENR na mag-isyu ng tree-cutting permits. Pero ‘yun po ang nasa ilalim ng batas,” Cuna admitted, although he recognized that doing so complied with the agency’s urban development mandate.

“Kailangan ng development. Wala po tayong magagawa doon, development is necessary. So kahit na itong development ay kinakailangan nating gawin, kinakailangan ng ating bansa, on the other side, hindi po natin puwedeng kalimutan ang environmental protection at kung ano ang environmental impact nitong mga development sa ating komunidad, ating environment,” he assured.