DAVAO CITY – An environmental group lambasted the Department of Public Works and Highways-Davao region, calling its drainage improvement project on Dacudao Ave. in this city a “waste of time, funds, and resources.”
THE Department of Public Works and Highways' drainage improvement project is destroying the trees on Dacudao Ave. in Davao City. (Keith Bacongco)
The Interfacing Development Interventions for Sustainability (IDIS) said in a statement that the DPWH’s project which consisted of fully paving the easements, including the root spaces, is destroying the trees on Dacudao Ave.
The group said the project, implemented in 2020 to "strengthen waterway embankment," has left a significant impact on the trees.
The IDIS said that about 67 trees have already deteriorated as a result of the project.
The environment group is urging the government to prioritize the “preservation and sustainable maintenance” of the remaining trees on Dacudao Ave.
“Considering the increasing urban heat index, Davao City needs to uphold utmost commitment to safeguard its remaining urban green-sheds, such as Dacudao's tree-line Ave.,” it said.
Although the city government of Davao instructed the DPWH “to break the concrete choking the trunk and roots of the trees,” the IDIS said it might not do much to ensure long-term health of the trees.
“While this step demonstrates a positive response, it alone is insufficient to ensure the long-term health of the trees since the concrete had damaged the root systems underneath, disallowing water and nutrient collection as well weakened tolerance to termite infestation,” it said.
The IDIS recommended the removal of concrete pavement on the sidewalk and root spaces and replacing it with permeable pavement such as turfs, blocks, or bricks to allow the roots to grow and spread.
It also called for the immediate replacement of dead trees with native tree species that are appropriate to its environment and regular monitoring and checking of the tree's health and condition.
The group also suggested the DPWH adopt low-impact designs such as permeable pavement and soft-scaping to prevent the deterioration of trees.
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