City councilor Jimmy Carbonell wants invasive alien forest tree species (IAFTS) out of the watersheds and other protected areas in the city.
Carbonell on Friday said that his proposed ordinance docketed under SDR No. 55-2019 was referred to the Committee on Environmental Protection and Natural Resources.
The committee, headed by Carbonell, convened on Thursday with the representatives from Community on Environment and Natural Resources (ENRO), City ENRO, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD), and other key officials to discuss the plan on how to “effectively and efficiently” remove the invasive plant species.
“Ayoko na madaliin natin ito at ayoko maging half-baked. Itong mga kahoy na puputulin natin, ibibigay natin sa ibang imprastraturang proyekto kasi sila invasive trees at palitan ng mga endemic trees,” Carbonell said.
Carbonell reiterated that the IAFTS are the primary cause of “decline in biodiversity” citing how they disturb the natural flora and fauna of the places they occupy.
“Yung mga ganitong puno nakakaapekto sa fertility ng soil at sa biodiversity ng areas. Hangga’t maaga, gagawan na natin ng paraan para mapigilan,” Carbonell said.
By next City Council session, the committee findings will be endorsed for its second reading.
