Dennis Gasgonia

Youth groups continue to denounce tree-cutting in Manila; file for environmental protection

Article (news)

Raphael Bosano

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — Youth groups and advocates continue to call on government to take decisive action and prioritize the welfare of Filipinos by canceling tree-cutting activities particularly along Quirino Avenue in Manila  for the Southern Access Link Expressway project. The calls come on World Environment Day.Speaking to ABS-CBN News, Rachel Dinsay, national coordinator of Youth Advocates for Climate Action Philippines, challenged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to deeply reflect on its decision to allow the removal of trees which have been providing ecosystem services for decades.“Gusto natin na si DENR bilang isang government institution na ang mandato ay pagsilbihan ng mamamayan, dapat gawin niya ito. At mag start yun sa Quirino Avenue. Siya mismo ang manguna sa pagpapatigil through some sort of documentation or announcement na haharangan niya yung pagpuputol ng puno. So today, galaw-galaw din,” she said.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/6/2/center-island-in-quirino-avenue-gone-2215">After trees cut, center island in Quirino Avenue gone </a> </div>Advocates and experts have repeatedly underscored the benefits of having large tree cover and canopies as urban communities become even more vulnerable to the effects of climate change.“Tinatanggalan niya rin ng mga puno yung community ng Quirino Avenue na definitely will make the situation worse for the community lalo na ngayon na dadating na yung bagyo season.”Earlier this week, students from the University of the Philippines and Miriam College filed for an environmental action at the Manila RTC against project proponent San Miguel Corp.The students  are seeking the issuance by the court of a Temporary Environmental Protection Order.Youth groups say they will continue to monitor the situation not just of the tree-cutting activities in Manila but as well as other projects that may have a direct and negative impact on the environment.ABS-CBN News reached out to the DENR for a statement but it has yet to respond.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2026/5/27/quirino-avenue-tree-cutting-suspended-denr-1317">Quirino Avenue tree-cutting stopped — DENR</a></div>Earlier this week, SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. (SMC SALEX) issued a statement, saying that tree management activities for a planned elevated toll road in Manila are being carried out under safeguards approved by the DENR. It said, the activities are covered by permits issued by the DENR following a technical assessment and tree inventory of the project corridor.Under the permit conditions, SMC SALEX is required to provide 50,700 replacement seedlings consisting of indigenous forest species, as well as fruit-bearing or economically viable species.The seedlings will be planted in sites designated by DENR-NCR and maintained over a mandatory three-year period.<div> </div>

MANILA — Youth groups and advocates continue to call on government to take decisive action and prioritize the welfare of Filipinos by ordering the cancellation of tree-cutting activities particularly along Quirino Avenue, undertaken to give way to the Southern Access Link Expressway project.

MANILA — Youth groups and advocates continue to call on government to take decisive action and prioritize the welfare of Filipinos by ordering the cancellation of tree-cutting activities particularly along Quirino Avenue, undertaken to give way to the Southern Access Link Expressway project.