Green Advocacy Invites Dialogues with DENR

San Fernando City, Pampanga (29 July) — Not content with the short rally they staged the other day in front of the DPWH Regional Office, green advocates have extended their efforts to save the trees along MacArthur Highway by way of a dialogue with other government agencies including some members of the senate.

And this time, concerned citizens from various parts of City of San Fernando and even priests and nuns from the archdiocese of San Fernando shared their pro-life sentiments to spare the decades-old trees from destruction.

The dialogue between the two contending parties was held a day after the protesters staged a demonstration on July 22 at 7:30am, in front of DPWH Sindalan where the governor spearheaded the demonstration. A’temporary suspension’ of the cutting of trees was announced shortly thereafter.

DENR Regional Executive Director Antonio Principe was unfortunately the only official from his office who was able to shed light on the querries of the advocates. However, he would not elaborate on who was really behind the removal although he admitted that the DENR was given the permit to cut the trees. This fact made the advocates all the more disappointed.

Nuns, residents and other advocates spokeout as several local media men covered the protest action. Also in attendance was Governor Panlilio’s Chief of Staff Amelito Vitug, Rev. Fr. Marius Roque of the Metropolitan Cathedral, broadcast journalist Ces Yumul, City of San Fernando Tourism Officer Ching Pangilinan and Lito Ocampo of FEDHOA. (PIO)