Authorities have started cutting trees as part of the road widening project of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in General Santos City.

More than 40 trees along the national highway within the barangays of Apopong, Labangal, and Sinawal were pruned and will be uprooted.

The trees have reportedly obstructed the ongoing project.

The cutting of trees has permission from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-SOCCSKSARGEN (DENR-12).

“Naigo man sa widening… Makita nato ang  span sa atuang area so may portion gyud nga naay kahoy… ila nang iputol, which is nagkuha pud na sila og requirements dito sa DENR,” Barangay Apopong councilman, Jun Lacea, said.

He said they will ask DENR to turn the trees cut over to the barangay so these can be used to create tables and chairs, for example, that residents can use.

“Sa part sa barangay mag-letter pud mi sa DENR nga ipa-turn over pud sa barangay…Aron magamit pud sa barangay himuon lamisa, lingkuranan para magamit sa constituents, sa mga bisita,” Lacea said.