The clamor of Baguio citizens with regards to the cutting of trees amidst the pandemic situation has been a major concern in the city’s environmental principles and regulations.

Today, July 13, Baguio city lone representative Mark Go will file a bill that will save the trees in the city. Go is seeking a moratorium to halt the cutting of trees except for the dead ones that pose danger to lives and properties and may infect other live trees in response to the urge of people to save the environment.

On Facebook, the congressman camp said that once the Bill is implemented, big corporations, private property owners, and all government lands will need to take the existence of the trees into consideration and should create designs that will allow them to build around the trees.

“This measure will compliment his 2 earlier bills, HB 6930 mandating parents to plant 2 trees for every child born to them, and HB 6931 requiring senior high and college students to plant 2 trees as a requirement of their graduation, both approved on second reading in the House of Representatives,” the post reads.

Go said that with the passage of the bills into law, approximately 7 million trees will be planted annually.

On July 10, The Public information office of Baguio City has issued a statement on Facebook with regards to the call of saving pine trees.

On the Facebook post, the city council, Department of Environment and Natural Resources-CAR, and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEMPO) said that they have already discussed the enactment of a strengthened tree-cutting moratorium in the city during the regular session on July 6, and will continue the discussion with Outlook Drive Barangay officials and representatives of Vista Residence today, July 13, 2020, in aid of legislation.

“We need to consider that pine trees in Baguio are as valuable as the city itself. When we lose the pine trees, we lose very identity of the city,” said Atty. Rhenan Diwas, Baguio city Environment, and Parks Management Office head.

Earlier last month, the call to save pine trees was demanded by Baguio City Councilor Lloyd Orcales wherein he has been seeking for a moratorium.

“The youth of Baguio with all its people, denounces this type of blatant disregard to the value of trees to our people and our future. The City of Baguio will remain as steward for the protection and preservation of our remaining tree covers. Further, we do not want our children and our children’s children not to be able to breathe clean fresh air and deprive them of the future they deserve, let us together save our youth while we still can,” Orcales said.

Weeks ago, Vista Land Residences Incorporated felled 54 fully grown trees to give way to a high-rise development and 53 trees were cut at the Philippine Military Academy for a new building.

This movement was caught the ire of Baguio’s pro-environment advocates, tree lovers, and residents.