DOTr eyes tree-planting as additional requirement for franchise applications
Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade said the trees must be planted by franchise applicants in areas designated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and concerned local government units.The proposed reforestation program, Tugade said, was recommended by one of his regional directors to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board after noticing denuded forests contributed to flooding in Cagayan.
,” Tugade said during the situation briefing attended by President Duterte and other government oficials in Cagayan. Tugade said he would coordinate closely with Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on identifying the places suitable for planting trees. He said he intends to implement “nationwide” the tree-planting requirement for franchise applicants.
Apart from the intensifying reforestation efforts, Tugade proposed the dredging of Cagayan River to ease flooding in the province during storms.