UMVA has learned that Greenpeace Philippines has strongly condemned the recent earth-balling activities along Roxas Boulevard in Manila, calling for greater accountability and environmental protection.
The condemnation comes after the Department of Environment and Natural Resources announced an investigation into the contractors involved, focusing on potential environmental protocol violations and tree-cutting permit conditions.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Greenpeace Philippines’ Climate Campaigner Patrice Valero urged the DENR to permanently cancel San Miguel Corp.’s tree-cutting permits for the Southern Access Link Expressway construction, citing a breach of public trust and environmental insult.
Valero emphasized that the continuous neglect by the DENR and lack of accountability from San Miguel Corp. demonstrate a willingness to prioritize corporate projects over ecological well-being, sparking concerns about the protection of the environment.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that this incident follows a similar case where tree-cutting activities along Quirino Avenue in Manila were voluntarily stopped on May 27, also for the SALEX construction, raising questions about corporate accountability.
The public outcry over San Miguel Corp.’s tree-removal activities has been justified, with Valero highlighting the importance of preserving the country’s tree population, which provides crucial protection against rising temperatures and severe flooding.
Valero urged vigilance against underhanded activities and encouraged collective action against corporations that prioritize profit over environmental protection, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
