GSUP for DPWH project OK’d

THE 20th City Council, during its 100th regular session, presided over by Vice Mayor Bebot Rodriguez, approved the resolution endorsing the application of the Department of Public Works (DPWH) for a Gratuitous Special Use Permit (GSUP) for the 30km Cagayan de Oro diversion road project.

The GSUP is required under Administrative Order No. 2022-01 of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), which lays down the guidelines to ensure that government plans and standards are followed when granting licenses to government agencies for the development of projects and public infrastructure within forestlands, a DPWH-10 official said last week during the meeting of the City Council Committee on Public Works chaired by Councilor Edgar S. Cabanlas.

While Cabanlas commended the agency for its efforts in fast-tracking the project to help decongest traffic in the city, he, however, cautioned DPWH and its contractors to replenish trees that are affected by government projects in compliance with the DENR directive.

The DPWH representative assured Councilor Cabanlas and the committee members that it is part of their contract with the contractors to conduct tree replacement programs.

The project, extending from Jct. Balubal-Sayre Highway-Pueblo de Oro, Cdo Old Airport Road Diversion Road, has to be realigned because it would affect forested areas in the city, specifically the Cugman Catanico Protected Landscape. 

But even with the diversion of the road project from its original alignment, some trees would still need to be cut, thus the need for a GSUP.

The Committees on Public Works and on Laws and Rules, both chaired by Councilor Cabanlas, sponsored the legislation.