Statement by Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment
May 27, 2026
Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment (Kalikasan PNE) welcomes the suspension and review of tree-cutting operations along Quirino Avenue for the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX), a project linked to San Miguel Corporation. This development is a direct result of the collective vigilance, resistance, and mobilization of communities, environmental defenders, and concerned organizations who refused to allow the silent destruction of Metro Manila’s remaining green spaces.
“Malinaw na bunga ito ng sama-samang pagkilos at pagbabantay ng mamamayan. Kung hindi nag-ingay at nagprotesta ang mga komunidad at organisasyon, tuloy-tuloy lamang ang pagputol ng mga puno,” said Cathleen de Guzman of Kalikasan.
However, Kalikasan stressed that the suspension raises urgent questions on accountability and governance.
“Bakit ngayon lang? Bakit kailan mahigit 200 puno na ang naputol saka lamang ito sinuspinde at nire-review?” de Guzman added. “Ipinapakita nito na walang sapat na pagsusuri at pananagutan sa simula pa lamang.”
The group underscored that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) must be held accountable for allowing the project to proceed in the first place. As the primary agency mandated to protect the environment, DENR should not be issuing permits to projects with clear and irreversible ecological impacts without rigorous environmental assessment and genuine public consultation.
“Dapat managot at patuloy na singilin ang DENR. Hindi dapat nagsisilbing rubber stamp ang ahensya para sa mga proyektong pinapaboran ang malalaking korporasyon kapalit ng kalikasan at kapakanan ng mamamayan,” de Guzman said.
Kalikasan also pointed to the Marcos Jr. administration as the chief architect of large-scale, profit-driven infrastructure projects that accelerate environmental destruction while projecting a false image of “green” governance.
“Sa ilalim ng rehimeng Marcos Jr., itinutulak ang mga mapanirang proyekto sa ngalan ng kaunlaran habang ipinapakita ang sarili bilang ‘green champion.’ Ngunit sa aktwal, ang mga polisiya nito ay nagpapalalim ng krisis sa klima at sumisira sa natitirang likas-yaman ng bansa,” the group said.
Kalikasan emphasized that accountability must extend beyond temporary suspensions, noting that more than 200 trees have already been cut.
“As part of our demand for accountability, nakatakdang magsampa ng kaso ang Kalikasan upang papanagutin ang mga responsable sa iligal at mapanirang pagputol ng mga puno, at sa malinaw na kabiguan ng pamahalaan sa tunay na environmental governance,” the group added.
Kalikasan also challenged the DENR to go beyond temporary measures.
“Kung seryoso ang DENR sa pagprotekta sa kalikasan, dapat gawing permanente ang pagpapahinto sa pagputol ng mga puno sa Quirino Avenue,” the group emphasized. “Hindi sapat ang suspensyon—dapat tuluyang itigil ang mga proyektong mapanira sa kalikasan at kabuhayan.”
The group further called for the immediate halt of other destructive projects nationwide, including the mining operations of Berong Nickel Corporation in Palawan and the Ahunan Dam project in Pakil, Laguna, both of which threaten to cut thousands more trees and pose serious threats to ecosystems and local communities.
Kalikasan reiterated that this partial victory underscores the power of collective action but also highlights the systemic failures that allow environmental destruction to proceed unchecked.
“Ang laban para sa kalikasan ay hindi natatapos sa isang suspensyon. Patuloy nating ipaglalaban ang tunay na pananagutan at makakalikasang kaunlaran para sa mamamayan.”#
