THE Department of Environment and Natural Resources-National Capital Region (DENR-NCR) said on Wednesday that cutting down trees along Quirino Avenue in Manila was legal and permitted, adding that the cut trees will be replaced.
Recent public backlash arose regarding the cutting of trees around the area to make way for the Southern Access Link Expressway Project, a new highway intended to connect the Skyway to Roxas Boulevard.
The agency said the activity was covered by Permit 2026-02-24-TCEBP-1609, which its office issued to the Southern Access Link Expressway Corp.
It also cited Presidential Decrees 705 and 953, along with other forestry and environmental regulations, which state that these laws allow cutting or earth-balling trees when necessary for infrastructure projects, public works, and other development activities, provided the necessary permits are obtained and environmental safeguards are closely followed.
It added that the permit requires the project proponent to conduct large-scale replacement planting to compensate for the trees cut for the project.
Based on the Memorandum on Seedling Replacement Uniform Ratio, the project proponent must plant 50,700 seedlings in the City of Manila during the next planting season.
Planting locations will be identified in coordination with the local government of Manila for the area’s ecological benefit.
DENR-NCR also assured the public that tree cutting is not automatically permitted, and that all applications undergo evaluation, technical assessments, and coordination with local government units, and are subject to compliance with environmental laws to mitigate environmental impacts.