The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in Central Visayas (DENR-7) is set to issue a cease and desist order (CDO) to halt tree-cutting activities at the Oslob Public Plaza after finding that the project proceeded without complying with the conditions of its Special Tree Cutting Permit.

DENR-7 said the permit, issued on 23 June, authorized the cutting of 10 identified trees for the municipality’s proposed Sports and Cultural Complex. However, inspectors found that while the required project signboard had been installed, only two mahogany trees had been heavily affected, with the remaining trees still standing.

DENR Central Visayas is set to issue a cease and desist order halting tree-cutting activities at the Oslob Public Plaza after finding permit violations, as residents push to preserve the plaza’s trees through a growing signature campaign.The agency said the permit holder failed to coordinate and notify the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Argao before starting the tree-cutting activities, a mandatory condition under the permit.

Because of the violation, CENRO Argao will issue a cease and desist order stopping all tree-cutting and related activities until the permit holder fully complies with the permit conditions and other applicable environmental laws and regulations.

DENR-7 acknowledged the public concern over the proposed tree-cutting and assured residents it would continue monitoring the project and take the necessary regulatory actions to ensure compliance with environmental safeguards while allowing lawful development projects to proceed.

The DAILY TRIBUNE sought comment from Oslob Mayor Allan Sesaldo and Vice Mayor Orvi Ortega, but neither had responded as of posting time.

Meanwhile, residents have launched a signature campaign urging the preservation of the plaza’s trees.

One of the petitioners, Mark Arnold Langahid, questioned the need to cut down the trees, urging local officials to consider more sustainable alternatives such as earth-balling or tree relocation.

“These trees are witnesses to the stories and heritage of the Oslobanons. They deserve better, more modern, and sustainable solutions — not simply to be cut down,” Langahid wrote in a Facebook post, citing similar cases in Pangasinan where century-old trees were removed to make way for infrastructure projects.