Green ribbon drive fights tree cutting in Pangasinan

DEFENDING NATURE Members of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE) and partner groups hold a ribbon-hanging activity at the Urdaneta City People’s Park in this phototaken on July 16 to call for a halt to large-scale tree cutting in Pangasinan, particularly at the Capitol Complex in Lingayen. —Photo courtesy of PPSE LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN, Philippines — Green ribbons carrying messages urging people to “save the trees before the province loses another piece of its natural heritage” fluttered along Maramba Boulevard here on Saturday as environmental advocates staged a symbolic protest against continued tree cutting in Pangasinan. Members of the Pangasinan People’s Strike for the Environment (PPSE), a grassroots environmental network, tied the ribbons to roadside trees with the support of youth organizations, local councils and other environmental groups from across the province. The activity was intended to protest what the groups described as development projects that prioritize infrastructure and profit over environmental protection and public welfare. Article continues after this advertisement READ: Caritas: Tree cutting direct assault on poor For the organizers, each green ribbon symbolizes a commitment to protect trees that serve as natural defenses against extreme heat, flooding and the worsening impacts of climate change. “This is a pledge to protect trees that serve as natural shields against scorching heat, floods and the worsening effects of climate change. Destroying nature is not genuine development. The loss of our public green spaces is not progress,” the group said in a statement. READ: DENR defends mass cutting of trees in Manila for road project The environmental advocates also urged authorities to hold accountable those responsible for the continued removal of trees and called on government planners to pursue development that is environmentally sustainable and responsive to the needs of communities. Article continues after this advertisement On July 16, PPSE and its partner organizations held a similar campaign at the Urdaneta City People’s Park, renewing their call for the immediate suspension of large-scale tree cutting in Pangasinan, particularly the ongoing removal of trees within the Capitol Complex in Lingayen. The ribbon-hanging campaign forms part of the group’s broader effort to protect the province’s remaining tree cover and public green spaces. Article continues after this advertisement The provincial government said the removal of invasive tree species, including mahogany, at the Capitol Complex is part of the redevelopment of the park. Cebu campaign In Cebu, environmental and civic groups recently asked Oslob town officials to release documents on the proposed Oslob Sports and Cultural Center, citing concerns over the conversion of the town’s public plaza and the cutting of century-old trees. Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again. Your subscription has been successful. In a July 9 letter, the groups said the project would convert part of the public plaza into a building site and require the removal of century-old trees. /cb