Joselito Malig

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — Just a week ago, the center island of Quirino Avenue in Manila was still largely intact. </p><p>The trees that once lined it had already been excavated and transferred elsewhere through a process known as earth-balling. </p><p>This is part of preparations for the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) project, but the center island itself remained.</p><p>On Tuesday, a section of the center island completely disappeared. </p><p>In its place stood heavy equipment, construction materials, and workers preparing the ground for the elevated expressway that will eventually connect the Skyway to Roxas Boulevard.</p><p>The rapid change is the latest visible sign of a project that has sparked debate among environmental advocates, urban planners, and government agencies over how Metro Manila should balance infrastructure development with environmental protection.</p><p>The project is being developed by San Miguel Corporation (SMC). </p><p>It has maintained that the expressway is necessary to improve connectivity and address traffic congestion in Metro Manila. </p><p>In a statement, SMC said multiple design options were studied before arriving at the current alignment.</p><p>&quot;Several design options were studied, and the current alignment was found to be the most feasible because it meets structural and engineering requirements while reducing displacement of residents and avoiding wider disruption to public and private infrastructure,&quot; the company said.</p><p>The statement came amid public scrutiny following the removal of hundreds of trees along Quirino Avenue and reports that tree-cutting operations had been voluntarily suspended after discussions with government agencies. </p><p>But SMC said that clearing activities, including the removal of trees within the project footprint, are necessary to construct the elevated roadway. </p><div><strong>THE VIEW FROM BELOW</strong></div><p>For some urban planners, the issue isn’t just the loss of trees.</p><p>Architect and urban planner Louwie Gan argued that the elevated expressway could fundamentally alter the character of Quirino Avenue and affect the quality of life of the communities living beneath it.</p><p>&quot;Trees create shading,&quot; Gan said in an interview with ABS-CBN News. “There are a lot of ecosystem services na wala ang mga konkreto.&quot;</p><p>Gan added that elevated roadways often bring consequences that are not immediately visible during the planning stage. </p><p>These include increased noise pollution, higher temperatures, and a less pleasant environment for pedestrians.</p><p>To illustrate his concerns, Gan shared photographs of Quirino Avenue taken before tree-cutting activities began. The images show mature trees along both the center island and sidewalks, creating a continuous canopy that shaded much of the road.</p><p>Experts say trees play a critical role in reducing the urban heat island effect, a phenomenon in which cities become significantly hotter than surrounding areas because roads, buildings, and other surfaces absorb and retain heat.</p><p>Gan noted that concrete itself can contribute to rising temperatures.</p><p>&quot;Yung mga pavement na meron tayo in a way, nag-absorb sila ng heat. So it doesn&#x27;t necessarily mean na malamig siya dahil yung pressure ng init at lamig pagdating ng gabi, dun lang lalabas yung init galing sa kongkreto,” he explained.</p><p>This concern comes as Metro Manila continues to experience periods of extreme heat linked to climate change and rapid urbanization.</p><p>Environmentalists warn that removing large numbers of mature trees may further reduce the city&#x27;s ability to cope with rising temperatures.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/business/2026/6/1/san-miguel-says-salex-design-most-feasible-amid-criticisms-vs-tree-cutting-1554">San Miguel says SALEX design &#x27;most feasible&#x27; amid criticisms vs tree cutting, relocating</a></div><div><strong>COULD THE TREES HAVE BEEN SAVED?</strong></div><p>The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) previously said that tree-cutting is always considered a last resort. </p><p>It also said that most of the trees removed along Quirino Avenue were already suffering from various forms of damage, decay or disease.</p><p>But environmental advocates argue that alternative approaches could have been explored.</p><p>Cleng Julve of the group Advocates for Science and Technology for the People (AGHAM) said that even damaged trees can often be rehabilitated through proper management.</p><p>&quot;If they are decaying, marami namang pwedeng gawin. Pwede mag-tree surgery and other interventions,” she said.</p><p>She added that while native species should be prioritized over exotic ones, existing mature trees, regardless of species, still provide valuable ecological services.</p><p>&quot;Having exotic trees provide shade and other ecological services, they are far better than dead stumps na meron tayo ngayon dito sa Quirino Avenue,&quot; she said.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/28/denr-relocates-young-narra-trees-from-quirino-avenue-for-salex-project-1758">DENR relocates young narra trees from Quirino Avenue for SALEX project</a></div><div><strong>MORE WALKABLE, BIKEABLE CITIES</strong></div><p>As temperatures rise and climate impacts intensify, many urban planners are advocating for what they call &quot;green infrastructure”. </p><p>These include investments in trees, parks, bicycle lanes, pedestrian-friendly streets, and public transportation.</p><p>Studies from cities in Europe, North America, and parts of Asia have shown that improving walkability, cycling infrastructure, and public transit can reduce dependence on private vehicles while making cities healthier and more resilient.</p><p>Advocates argue that these measures not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also help cool urban areas and improve public health.</p><p>Critics of the Quirino Avenue project say the question is no longer simply whether an expressway can ease traffic. Instead, they ask whether government should prioritize investing in infrastructure designed primarily for cars, or shift toward solutions that prioritize people, public transportation, and green spaces.</p><div><a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/24/wrap-manila-trades-dwindling-tree-cover-for-expressway-project-1320">WRAP: Manila trades dwindling tree cover for expressway project</a></div><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/X95emXRMYNg?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Just a week ago, the center island of Quirino Avenue in Manila was still largely intact. </p>

Just a week ago, the center island of Quirino Avenue in Manila was still largely intact.

After trees cut, center island in Quirino Avenue gone

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After trees cut, center island in Quirino Avenue gone

Raphael Bosano,

ABS-CBN News

Published June 02, 2026 10:15 PM PHT

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SALEX

DENR

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