Members of youth group Young Bataeños for Environmental Advocacy Network (YoungBean) and advocacy group Nuclear-Free Bataan Movement (NFBM) lit candles in Limay town to mourn the trees cut down along Roman Highway and other parts of Bataan.
In a statement on Sunday, Eric Beren, YoungBean secretary general, said the activity was part of the observance of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day.
‘While we remember our departed loved ones, we also mourn the trees that have been cut along our roads in Bataan,’ Beren said.
He said the large-scale removal of trees without prior community consultation raised concerns about environmental issues that could affect residents’ well-being. The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office earlier said trees along Roman Highway were being earth-balled as part of road-widening works in preparation for the completion of the multibillion-peso, 32.15-kilometer Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge.
The youth group said it recognized the need for safe and accessible infrastructure but urged the government to ensure that projects were properly planned and implemented with genuine public participation.