Manila residents saw tree stumps along Quirino Avenue this week after 225 of 617 approved trees were felled for a skyway project.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources approved the removal of the trees to clear space for the Southern Access Link Expressway, or SALEx. The 40.62-kilometer project is a public-private partnership between the Department of Public Works and Highways and San Miguel Corp.
The Quirino Avenue portion covers 3.97 kilometers with four elevated lanes. It will connect to the Metro Manila Skyway Stage 3 near Roxas Boulevard. The DENR stated the work follows a valid permit and a certificate of no objection from the local government.
San Miguel Corp. is required to plant 57,000 seedlings in Manila as replacement. Nearly 400 trees remain on the avenue. The agency cited Presidential Decree No. 705 and other regulations that permit tree cutting for infrastructure when needed.
