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HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE ,
Quezon City, Metro Manila
20C 9
RESOLUTION DIRECTING THE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY TO CONDUCT A JOINT INQUIRY, IN AID OF LEGISLATION, ON THE LEGALITY AND PROPRIETY OF THE PERMIT GRANTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES ALLOWING FOR THE CUTTING AND BALLING OF 182 TREES AT LUNETA HILL-GOVERNOR PACK ROAD, BAGUIO CITY AND FURTHER DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIROMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO IMMEDIATELY SUSPEND THE CLEARANCE AND PERMIT GRANTED TO SM DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION WHEREAS, Baguio City is one of the country's premiere tourist destinations because of its cool climate, panoramic view and bounty of pine trees. The charm of the city relies on the presence of trees within a highly urbanized city; WHEREAS, SM Development Corporation (SMDC) intends to cut 43 fully grown Aloes japonica (Japanese Alnus) trees, uproot 97 growing Pines kesiya (Pine) trees and 42 saplings therefore displacing a total of 182 trees at Luneta HMI-Governor Pack Road in Baguio city to pave way for a parking facility; WHEREAS, On October 27, 2011, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) granted a permit for cutting, balling and pruning of trees to SMDC following the release of a clearance signed by DENR Secretary Ramon Paje on October 17, 2011. WHEREAS, Baguio residents state that they were not consulted by the DENR regarding the SMDC plan before the permit was granted, and thus accuse that the DENR showed preferential treatment for SMDC; WHEREAS, the SMDC plan is strongly opposed by Baguio residents and concerned citizens all over the country. Thousands of protesters held a rally last January 20, 2012 in downtown Baguio City, and more than 6,000 signatures have been collected for a petition to stop the cutting and uprooting of trees by SM Baguio.
WHEREAS, trees are invaluable assets of Baguio City which serve as a natural otec:tion from floods, landslides, pollution and other threats of urban sprawl as they do add to the aesthetic quality of the city; WHEREAS, Article II, Sectionl6 of the 1987 Constitution states: "The State shall protect and advance the right of the peoples to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature"; WHEREAS, President Benigno S. Aquino III released Executive Oder No. 23 issuing a moratorium on cutting trees. Section 2.2 of E.O No. 23 states: "The DENR is likewise prohibited from issuing or renewing tree-cutting permits in all natural and residual forests nationwide, except for clearing of road right of way by the DPWH, site preparation for tree plantations, silvicultural treatment and similar activities, provided that all logs derived from the said cutting permits shall be turned over to the DENR for proper disposal. Tree cutting associated with cultural practices pursuant to the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA Law) nay be allowed only subject to strict guidelines of the DENR"; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Committee on Natural Resources and Committee on Ecology to conduct an immediate inquiry on the legality and propriety of the permit granted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources allowing for the cutting and balling of 182 trees at Luneta HillGovernor Pack Road in Baguio City. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, AS IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources immediately suspend the clearance and permit granted to SM Development Corporation pending the investigation.
Adopted,