Around 300 eucalyptus trees within the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City’s Barangay Mansilingan will be cut down in order to make space for a new parking lot. Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson explained the move is part of the ongoing renovations and repair work in preparation for the upcoming Western Visayas Regional Athletic Association Meet and Palarong Pambansa, which Negros Occidental will host in 2021.
The governor said eucalyptus trees are not a good tree species as they consume too much water, which could result in a loss of local groundwater. He pointed out, a similar initiative is being undertaken in South Africa for that specific reason.
Lacson explained, endemic tree species will be planted, which he claimed was more environmentally-friendly, but said the decision on which species will be left with the Provincial Environment Management Office.
Portions of the Panaad Park and Stadium were closed earlier this year as part of the renovation, which is expected to take at least 11 months. Additional funding for the project was previously sought as Negros Occidental provincial administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz, said they need at least P250 million or more for the completion of the project./DGB, WDJ