Mandaue looking for better ways to cut hazardous trees

Local

A YOUNG boy’s tragic death from a toppled buri (palm) tree in Barangay Ibabao-Estancia has pushed Mandaue City to rethink its approach to handling hazardous trees.

Officials now aim to outsource tree-cutting services to ensure faster and safer removal of dangerous vegetation.

Six-year-old Christian Quilaton Jr. died on April 1, after a decayed palm tree fell on him. The incident highlighted delays in processing a request, made as early as November last year, to remove the tree.

City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan confirmed that the city is actively exploring the use of third-party contractors to handle tree removal.

“Tree cutting is not easy, especially when the tree is surrounded by houses, live wires, or other structures,” Calipayan said. He noted that specialized expertise is necessary to prevent accidents and damage during the process.

The city previously managed tree-cutting requests internally, but equipment breakdowns have hampered operations.

The boom truck, crucial for such tasks, remains under repair, forcing workers to rely on a ladder truck. This limitation has resulted in backlogs, with numerous flagged trees awaiting action.

Outsourcing, according to Calipayan, would involve hiring contractors to provide both manpower and equipment, ensuring a more efficient response.

The proposed arrangement would cover all types of hazardous trees, not just the buri trees that triggered recent concerns.

Meanwhile, the city has initiated an investigation to determine accountability for the delayed removal of the tree that caused Quilaton’s death.

A team comprising representatives from the City Legal Office, Mayor’s Office, and City Administrator’s Office is leading the probe.

Calipayan reported that interviews and document reviews are underway, with findings expected next week.

Mayor Glenn Bercede has vowed to hold those responsible accountable.

“We are hoping to finish the investigation as soon as possible,” Calipayan said.

The final report is anticipated to include recommendations to prevent similar tragedies.

In the meantime, the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office removed another palm tree near the accident site as efforts to tag and assess potentially hazardous trees citywide are ongoing to ensure public safety.(MyTVCebu)