Save this Brave Acacia Tree

Mayor, barangay captain and protectors of the environment,

This magnificent acacia tree has had a difficult history. It is the story of development versus environment. It is the story of planning without taking the existing trees into consideration.

This acacia was to be cut all the way down when Negros Oriental Electric Cooperative (NORECO) planned to put their post right where it was standing. All the branches of this acacia were already cut when the Friends of the Banica River and the Environment intervened. What remained was a trunk with stumps. But the tree survived and sprouted branches and leaves. This tree has been pruned down every 3 years so that only stumps were left, but the brave acacia showed that it will not be defeated and everytime renews itself. Why would this tree need to go because of another one of the countless gasoline stations that are sprouting up?

The greenery and shade of this acacia tree is an asset to any development including a gasoline station. Don’t forget, it stands on public property, therefore the tree belongs to the public.

With this petition letter the Friends of the Environment in Negros Oriental and the Movement of Imaginals for Sustainable Societies through Initiatives, Organisation and Networking protest the cutting of this particular acacia tree. This tree has to live if only to make a statement that this city cares for its trees. Trees of this age and size are no longer indispensable. How many trees has this city tried to grow and were successful? How much more concrete and how much less trees can this city tolerate? The time will come when temperatures will be hotter and every bit of shade will matter.

We would like the city to review its procedure for giving out permits to cut trees, especially our acacia trees that are the heritage of the city.

We would like to reiterate that we are your partners in protecting the environment.

FENOR/MISSION