Filipino citizens are outraged by the cutting of the trees in Manila City. The 225 mature trees were cut down along Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard. The act was undertaken to facilitate the construction of the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX).
The blame was pointed at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The executive branch of the government, whose primary job is to protect and conserve the Philippine environmental resources. Instead, the DENR became responsible for the destruction and death of hundreds of trees. Filipinos citizens blame the destruction of Manila’s beauty on this government agency. It’s not just the cutting down of the trees but also the reclamation project on Manila Bay.
Explaining the Hideous Act
The DENR responded with a Facebook post using the Memorandum Order Number 2022-02. What this memorandum does is to replace every tree that is cut with a tree seedling. Filipino people find this odd and a clear sign of corruption.
Environment Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna has defended this act. The DENR Secretary explained that it went through the proper channels and process to provide the permit. However, Filipino citizens are not convinced of Sec. Cuna’s answer nor he is not sincere.
The Cost of Cutting Trees
Young seedlings replaced the cut-down trees exactly in the same spot. Citizens find this a waste of taxpayers’ money. The permit to cut down the tree costs from ₱100 to ₱200. A further cost is the processing and professional fees. There’s an inspection fee of ₱1,200 per hectare of trees. Then the forest charge is ₱1,500 per cubic meter depending on the volume of trees. Finally, the cost of mandatory replacement of the trees. For every tree that’s cut 50 to 100 seedlings will replace it.
Such a process can cost a lot. It is more costly if the seedlings cannot survive. The damage is greater if the tree seedlings are not native to the area. The current management of DENR didn’t think this through.
The government agency could have saved the taxpayers’ money if they leave the trees alone. Most of the trees in that area have been there since the Burnham Urban Plan. These trees have protected people against extreme weather, pollution, and noise. Besides protection, they provide comfort and well-being to Filipinos.
Ignoring the Constitution
The Filipino people remind the DENR that such action is against the Philippine Constitution. It is written in Article II under Section 16 that “The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.”
This is followed by Article XII under Section 2, the National Economy and Patrimony, that “This establishes the Regalian Doctrine, which states that all lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, forests, wildlife, and other natural resources belong to the State.” Therefore the state or the country needs to protect its own.
The Republic Act (R.A.) 3571 supports this law. The R.A. prohibits the cutting, destroying, or injuring of planted trees, flowering plants, and shrubs in public spaces like roads, parks, plazas, and school premises. Yet, the very government agency that should be upholding the law is breaking it.
Sustainability and Climate Crisis
Sec. Cuna stated that the permit to cut the trees is for sustainable development. A statement that he is unsure of what sustainability means in this climate crisis. San Miguel Corporation (SMC) headed this SALEX project as an urban development.
The Philippines experienced a heat index of up to 44°C in Metro Manila this May 2026. The Philippines is one of the countries that was hit hard by the Super El Niño. The trees are the only protection we have from this extreme natural phenomenon.
Sustainability is about saving the planet. Sir David Attenborough once said, “If you sustain the [natural] environment you sustain the people who are protecting it.” In this case, we should be saving the only home we have which is Earth.
A March To Save the Environment
Concerned citizens, civil groups, and environmentalists gather at Quirino Avenue. Make It Safe Movement (MISMO) and many others gathered where the trees once stood tall.
MISMO insists that the trees are part of proper and good urban infrastructure. The trees are essential for pedestrian infrastructure. An infrastructure that has existed in Manila City since the post-war period.
Sarah Espina of MISMO said, “Paving over Quirino Avenue’s decades-old trees for the SALEX expressway won’t cure Manila’s traffic problem. It will only induce more of it.” It has been proven that more roads cause more traffic congestion.
Greenpeace Philippines calls the act of cutting trees during a climate crisis not development. Greenpeace states that the permit to cut down 617 decade-old trees is in pursuit of profit. They see the country’s richest of the rich will benefit from this. They deemed this alarming and unacceptable.
This reckless act that puts people at further risk. When communities are already suffering from extreme heat, stronger typhoons, worsening floods, and escalating climate impacts.
Greenpeace Philippines condemns SMC’s SALEX project as a massacre of these living trees. They reject that urban development must come at the expense of the environment and public welfare. This includes SMC’s other project over the Pasig River and the Boracay bridge.
The Battle for Green Manila Begins
The outcry of Filipino citizens has been heard. The rest of the trees along Quirino Avenue and Roxas Boulevard are spared. The tree cutting is suspended and DENR is reviewing the possibility of tree balling. They are looking into the possibility of removing the whole tree with its roots to another location. However, if not properly done the trees may not survive their new environment. Especially, if they cut the roots too short from the trunk.
SMC has already backed down from the proposed Boracay Bridge project. Filipino citizens want to see that they halt the SALEX and PAREX projects as well. Urban development should be spearheaded by the government as it was in the past. The big private corporations like SMC only care about profit. These projects will squeeze the money from the taxpayers and motorists every time they use the skyways.
The fight for the trees and saving the environment begins in Manila. Filipino people should be aware that Manila Bay reclamation, SALEX, PAREX, LLRN, and other urban projects under the hands of big corporations don’t benefit people. Filipinos should continue to battle such projects that will cause us and future generations to suffer.
