Government to review Green Philippines program

By Aurea CalicaPublication Date: [Saturday, September 30, 2006]

http://www.philstar.com/philstar/show_content.asp?article=277660

The government will review its program for a "green" Philippines after typhoon "Milenyo" uprooted trees and threw them across roads or crushed homes.

Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita said the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources would undertake a study.

Ebdane said he would check international protocols that place priority on road safety over planting of trees especially on highways.

"We will also see what should be done on trees near power transmission lines because they get damaged as well," Ebdane said in a meeting of the National Disaster Coordinating Council.

Ebdane said it was only right to assess and make proper coordination of the government programs for a safer metropolis.

The government is currently planting thousands of trees in line with its "Clean and Green Philippines" program.

On Thursday, however, falling trees caused most of the deaths in Metro Manila and other areas hit by Milenyo.

Power distributor Manila Electric Co. also said it has been having difficulty repairing transmission lines because of trees near electric poles.

Last Thursday, Milenyo’s high winds uprooted hundreds of trees and several large billboards that partially blocked roads in Metro Manila, tore off roofs, shattered windows, and knocked down power and telephone lines.

Roads across the capital turned into obstacle courses as vehicles avoided trees and large branches, prompting emergency crews to immediately keep roads clear.

Metro Manila’s normally traffic-choked streets were relatively empty after government employees were sent home and business either closed early or remained shut. School was suspended the day before.

But traffic was backed up in some major thoroughfares such as EDSA and C-5 because of fallen trees and downed billboards.