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CEBU CITY — Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia said that no trees in Poro town in the Camotes Group of Islands will be cut down without proper justification.

The governor made the statement in response to concerns from Poro church leaders and parishioners, led by Fr. Joel Bonza of Sto. Niño Parish, who is advocating for the preservation of over 700 trees threatened by a proposed road widening project there.

Garcia gave this assurance during a meeting with stakeholders, including church representatives, municipal government officials and the project contractor, on Wednesday.

Last month, the religious group initiated a signature campaign urging the government to preserve the trees from being cut down for road widening projects.

Sugbo News, the Capitol’s social media arm, reported that Anjo Gonzalodo, the project contractor, clarified that no tree-cutting activities had begun, nor had applications for tree removal been submitted.

Gonzalodo explained that 724 trees of various species have been identified and marked along the provincial road in collaboration with the local government unit and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Central Visayas.

He assured that only trees posing safety risks, particularly those near tight corners, steep sections and cliffs would be removed.

The project plans to widen the road from approximately 4 meters to 10 meters to enhance road safety and accommodate increasing traffic.

The governor supported the contractor’s commitment to environmental laws and emphasized the importance of removing only those trees that present clear hazards.

She clarified that the project’s 10-meter width falls within the maximum 15-meter right-of-way limit for provincial roads as provided in Executive Order 180 signed in 1948 by President Elpidio Quirino.

The governor emphasized her duty to safeguard public safety while protecting the environment.

“But at the same time, we balance because we cannot continue on a four-meter dilapidated road which also poses risks to the lives of those who traverse that road daily,” she said.

Garcia highlighted her track record of environmental protection, referencing her actions against resorts and commercial buildings that violated environmental laws.

Last May 3, Garcia ordered a spring resort in Carmen, a northern town of Cebu, to stop operations for breaking environmental laws.

In Executive Order 8, the governor’s office cited several environmental violations at the Durano Eco Farm and Spring Resort in Carmen that block the natural flow of the Luyang River, causing downstream problems.

The governor also assured that all cut trees in Poro would be replaced in accordance with legal requirements.

In 2022, the Capitol allocated over P270 million to enhance the 13.4-kilometer road connecting the towns of Poro and Tudela in the Camotes Group of Islands.

The project aims to expand the provincial road that runs through Barangays Mercedes, Esperanza, Adela, San Jose and Daan Paz.

Poro, a fourth-class municipality, along with Tudela, is located on Poro Island of the Camotes Group of Islands.

Other islands in the group include Pacijan Island, where San Francisco town is located, and Ponson Island, which features Pilar town.