Bacolod City, Philippines: Fallen Trees And Government

(One of the 26 decades-old trees along the 

national highway in Bacolod City, Philippines, 

that was ordered cut down by government officials)

(Photo credit: Bombo Radyo Bacolod Facebook page)

I have always wondered why some local government officials in the Philippines think that cutting down trees was always the solution to solve a clearing problem. 

On the second week of April 2021, photos of what was left of the trees that were cut down circulated around the social media accounts of the citizens of Bacolod City in the Philippines. 😢

The photos were of the 26 trees along Araneta Avenue, a main thoroughfare of the city. According to the local official of the Department of Public Works and Highways, they have been authorized to cut 35 trees that included 15 molave, 12 narra, seven mahogany, and a eucalyptus tree "to give way to ongoing projects". Of the 35, nine were saved.

(One of the 26 decades-old trees along the 

national highway in Bacolod City, Philippines, 

that was ordered cut down by government officials)(Photo credit: Bombo Radyo Bacolod Facebook page)

As expected, there is now a huge outcry from the local citizens because of this unthinkable mistake in judgement for which excuses may not be acceptable.😡

I googled "how to relocate a tree" and found a lot of ways to save a tree than just chopping it down for convenience. I wondered why the DPWH people didn't even bother using other options. It takes decades for those fallen trees to grow and to have those long, leafy branches that give shade to those who seek under it.

(Protesters stand beside the fallen trees along Araneta St., Bacolod City, Philippines)

(Photo credit: Bombo Radyo Bacolod Facebook page)

The local government officials in Bacolod City don't have to look that far to find ways to save those trees. Other cities simply let the trees become part of the sidewalk. 

In Seoul, South Korea, I stumbled upon this tree in the Gangnam District that preserved the tree by putting barricades around it, so that vehicles avoid crashing into it. The message is that the tree is more important than the traffic.

Why can't we do creative things like that?😪

(Seoul, Korea: a tree is preserved 

by putting barricades around it😊) 

In grade school, we were once taught a poem by Joyce Kilmer, Trees.

I think that I shall never see

A poem as lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth's sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

                                        * * *

It's probably a good idea to let these local government officials memorize and understand this poem so that they can also appreciate trees. 😋