By Jhelyn G. Andal

 

Some local artists performed a ritual dance for the hundred-old trees cut within the grounds of the Palawan Provincial Hospital July 16, Wednesday. The ceremony was done to condemn the action taken by the hospital’s management.

 

Dayang Angelita Macasaet, or Nanay Dayang to some, of Kamarikutan Kape at Galeri, led the group in a dance dubbed as “Isang Panaghoy” which means “a plaintive or anguish cry.” The dance did not have any choreography; just plain action of what the dancer feels.

 

Grace Odal – Devora, a Philippine Studies professor at the University of the Philippines – Manila, also danced in the ritual.

 

Three trees (two acacia and one tamarind) were cut reportedly to give way for the hospital’s expansion. Dr. Jose Antonio Socrates of Bahatala Center, however, said that when he checked with the Department of Health (DOH), he learned that there was no fund for such project.

 

According to Socrates, Dr. Glorifino Juan, officer-in-charge of the Provincial Hospital, wanted to remove the Bahatala Center from the hospital’s compound. Juan was also labeled as “over inggit colokoy”, Socrates’ new acronym for OIC.

 

“No architect will ever plan a building here in Puerto Princesa destroying a tree. Pinakabobong arkitekto na lang siguro ang gagawa ng gano’n,” Socrates said. He added that Juan deceived the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for the hospital to acquire a cutting permit.

 

In a letter addressed to Macasaet, City Environment and Natural Resources Officer (CENRO) Rogelio Daquer explained that their forest rangers who inspected the trees recommended the issuance of a cutting permit. It added that in a report submitted by Lorna Ganotice of CENRO, she emphasized the “need for the trees to be cut to give room for the construction of additional hospital building in the area.”

 

According to Daquer, issuance of a cutting permit is still a retained function of the national agency, particularly the DENR. CENRO submitted the request in accordance with the existing environmental laws governing the cutting of trees, he said. He added that they just relied on the representation made by a high-ranking official.

 

“No building plans were shown that the trees need to be saved or preserved, side by side with the development in the area,” Daquer pointed in his letter.