Oslob tree-cutting: DENR order came too late?

Local

A GOVERNMENT intervention meant to preserve decades-old trees in the town of Oslob, southern Cebu, apparently came too late.

Netizens and residents took to social media to express frustration over what they described as a delayed cease-and-desist order (CDO) meant to protect trees that stood in the way of a new sports and cultural complex in the town center.

How it started

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Central Visayas (DENR-7) issued a Special Tree Cutting Permit (STCP) on June 23, authorizing the removal of 10 identified trees to clear the site for Oslob’s proposed Sports and Cultural Complex.

The plan quickly drew opposition.

On July 9, the citizens’ group Oslobanong Nagpakabana — led by Fr. Daniel Franklin Pilario, lawyer Charlemagne Cuevas, and Wendyl Luna — filed a petition calling for the preservation of the plaza’s century-old trees.

The group also sought documents related to the project, including records of public consultations and the bidding process, and argued that both the plaza and its trees are historic landmarks that should be preserved rather than developed.

On July 14, resident Mark Arnold Langahid added his own appeal on social media, urging the Oslob local government and DENR to reconsider the project despite the permit already being in place.

He proposed alternatives such as earthballing or relocating the trees instead of cutting them down.

“These trees are witnesses to the stories and heritage of the Oslobanons,” Langahid said. “They deserve better and more sustainable solutions.”

DENR steps in — but late

Following Langahid’s post, DENR-7 moved to intervene.

The department found that the Oslob local government had failed to comply with conditions of its STCP, including a requirement to coordinate with and notify the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Argao.

An inspection at the time found only two mahogany trees heavily affected, with the rest of the trees covered by the permit still standing.

On July 18, DENR-7 formally instructed Oslob officials to halt the cutting of trees in the town’s public plaza, saying further review was needed on the permits and processes the local government had followed.

In a statement, the department said: “CENRO Argao shall be issuing a cease and desist order to stop all tree cutting and other related activities until the permittee shall have fully complied with the conditions of the Special Tree Cutting Permit.”

All trees already gone

But by the following day, July 19, residents were sharing photos on social media showing that all 10 trees had already been felled — just one day after the CDO was announced.

“BOGSSHH! Ulahi na ang tanan! Nahurot na gyud diay og putol ang mga kahoy sa Oslob Plaza,” Langahid wrote, sharing a picture of the cleared site.

“Wala man tuod mi kapugong, bulahan kami nakapahungaw sa among yangungo,” he added.

In turn, Langahid criticized both DENR and the Oslob LGU, saying authorities had reacted too slowly to prevent the loss of the trees.

DENR-7, for its part, said it would continue monitoring the project and take appropriate regulatory action to ensure compliance with environmental laws while allowing lawful development projects to proceed.(RBE)