Assignment 4

 

ESSAY 

Choose one among the Philippine environmental laws. Elaborate and discuss how  a civil engineer can make an impact in accordance with that chosen law. *May Propose/Adopt Projects* 

Philippines is home to rich biodiversity, making it one of the country’s main  tourist attraction. The lands and the waters are rich in life, providing the  country with lots of resources, an admirable place to live in, and a boost in  the country’s tourism, which is an important sector in the Philippine economy. Throughout the years, however, the rise in the industrial challenges has come  about as response to the demands of globalization. The environment then has  been subjected to threats it has inflicted. Humanity, as one of the major  cont co ntri ribut butor ors, s, and the their ir ac acti tivi vitie ties, s, cr crea eated ted an ave avenue nue to the de decli cline ne an and  d  destruction of natural resources.

Phil Ph ilip ippi pine ness is ri rich ch in fl flor oraa di dive vers rsit ity. y. So Some me sp spec ecie iess ar aree al alre read ady y co cons nsid ider ered  ed  endangered, both in forest and wildlife, and in residential areas. This has also  contributed to the birth of “Republic Act No. 3571 — An Act to Prohibit the  Cutting, Destroying, or Injuring of Planted or Growing Trees, Flowering Plants  and Shrubs or Plants of Scenic Value Along Public Roads, in Plazas, Parks, School  Premises or in Any Other Public Pleasure Ground.” A Philippine environmental  law that’s for the purpose of promoting promoting and and conserving conserving

the beauty of objects  objects 

of scenic and ornamental value along public places and helping to preserve cool, fresh fre sh and hea health lthful ful cli clima mate, te, it is the pol polic icy y of the Governm Government ent to che cheri rish, sh, protect and conserve planted or growing trees, flowering plants and shrubs or  plants of ornamental value along public roads, in plazas, parks, school premises or  in any other public ground.

 

Organization zation and increase in structur structures es and infrastr infrastructures uctures like roads, buildings, Organi mach ma chin ines, es, an and d th thee li likes kes,, is on onee wa way y to co compr mprom omis isee in th these ese glo globa baliz lizati ation  on  challenges. But this then, leads to the said destruction of natural resources. Taking into account this situation: “The need to cut trees for the road widening project.” For most cases like this, cutting of trees become a necessity to ease the life of  the people — primary purpose is to address the traffic/ congestion problem. Sur urel ely, y, it is a ch chal alle leng nge. e. Th Thee wor orld ld ha hass pr prag agm mat atic ic ne need eds, s, an and d th this is is  problematic. problem atic. Nature is import important ant and developm development ent is also important. It has to  be balanced. Like how traffic causes more pollution and how trees can be  plan pl ante ted. d. Wh When en the there re is tr traff affic ic,, the there re’s ’s les lesss pro produc ducti tivi vity ty.. Wh When en yo you u get  stalled because of traffic, there will be more pollution. Trees are renewable  resources. We can always plant new ones. But, the fall down is that we need  every single one of these trees.

Here arises the civil engineer’s significance to the law. It is possible to widen  roads without cutting down trees. Designing and constructing roads that are  environment – friendly, safe for transportation, and good for the common is  an idea. Presented below is an article from Visayas State University: “Despite roadwidening, VSU gets to keep its trees.” It is possible to widen roads without cutting down trees. The Department of Public Works and Highways will spare the trees along the Visayas State University’s road stretch from the ongoing national road-widening project. The game-changing decision was made after former VSU President Paciencia Milan made an appeal to DPWH and presented an alternative plan complementary with VSU’s landscape. In the new plan, DPWH will no longer widen the existing national highway, but instead add another lane on its west side. The existing road will be used for northbound traffic, while the new road will be for the southbound.

 

From the south, the upcoming four-lane highway at Brgy. Guadalupe will split after Lagu-lago bridge, in front of the Holy Spirit Parish, forming median “islands” where the existing trees are. The new parallel road will continue through the VSU market and the main entrance and will merge back before the Calbiga-a bridge in Brgy. Pangasugan. “It was a proactive strategy of VSU. We didn’t protest but instead, presented an alternative plan to the Local Government of Baybay. This was later on approved by the DPWH Central Office through the endorsement of Cong. Jose Carlos Cari, 5th District of Leyte Representative,” told Dr. Jose Bacusmo, former VSU President who is also one of the plan’s proponents. Bacusmo added that the unwavering support of LGU Baybay, through Mayor Carmen Cari, and DPWH’s receptiveness catalyzed the realization of the plan. VSU Professor Emeritus Manuel K. Palomar, in an interview, said that VSU’s concern for the trees is far-reaching, as it is a staunch advocate for environmental conservation. “A number of trees would still have to be cut. But it will be kept at a minimum. DENR will compensate 100 tree seedlings for every tree that will be cut down. They will also provide funds for planting and maintenance for 3 years,” added Palomar. Dr. Palomar, who was a former vice president of VSU, is part of the group of existing and retired professors that initiated the Save The Trees signature campaign. DPWH’s Engr. Emmanuel Mari Sacro, a VSULHS alumnus, confirmed that the plan is already in the pipeline and will start early in 2019. VSU President Edgardo E. Tulin expressed his gratitude towards the government of Baybay and DPWH for advancing the plan. “I am looking forward to the completion of this project. And so, I hope that everyone will have patience during the construction of this work and will have full cooperation so that the DPWH and its contractor can fully implement this program,” said Dr. Tulin. This endeavor is consistent with VSU’s reputation in environmental conservation, being recognized by Environmental Educational Network of the Philippines as a “dark green school.” Link for full article:   https://www.vsu.edu.ph/articles/news/1567-dpwh-road-widening-save-the-treesvsu-campus

This showed that cutting trees isn’t necessary. Translocation of plants isn’t  also an option. Climate change is the top priority, aside from the aesthetics. Climate change is hitting us harder. A lot of damage has already been done. Humanity has managed to sacrifice the long term goods instead of looking for  ways to preserve and conserve both. This has to stop now. Cutting down  tree eess

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