DENR moves to enforce 50,700-tree replanting obligation as SALEx proponent halts Quirino Avenue cutting

The proponent of the Southern Access Link Expressway project has voluntarily suspended the cutting of trees along Quirino Avenue in Manila, with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) now focused on ensuring the proponent fulfills its replanting obligations.

DENR Assistant Secretary Norlito Eneran made the statement in an interview on DZRH News program “Special on Saturday” on June 6, saying the agency is targeting the planting of 50,700 seedlings within the City of Manila as part of rehabilitation and mitigation measures under the project’s permit conditions.

The tree-cutting, authorized under Permit No. 2026-02-24-TCEBP-1609 issued to proponent Southern Access Link Expressway Corp., was intended to clear the western portion of Quirino Avenue for the SALEx project, a proposed 40.62-kilometer expressway that will connect Skyway to Roxas Boulevard.

The cutting had been ongoing along the western portion of Quirino Avenue before the proponent voluntarily halted operations, authorized under existing forestry and environmental regulations including Presidential Decree No. 705 and Presidential Decree No. 953.

Under DENR regulations, a proponent must plant 100 seedlings or saplings for every tree cut — a rule Eneran said applies nationwide.

“For every cut tree ay dapat magtanim po tayo ng 100 seedlings or saplings,” Eneran said, adding that the obligation does not end at planting — the proponent is also required to maintain the trees and replace any that fail to survive within six months.

Around 40 trees have already been earth-balled and relocated to different areas in Manila, Eneran said, while the 50,700 seedlings required under the permit are to be planted at sites determined in coordination with the local government.