Students to SC: Stop tree cutting in Manila
College students in Manila have petitioned the Supreme Court to stop the cutting of mature trees for the Southern Access Link Expressway project. The students are challenging a provision in the PPP Code that restricts lower courts from issuing environmental protection orders.
Why it matters
The case highlights a growing tension between infrastructure development and environmental preservation, as well as the legal power dynamics regarding judicial oversight of public-private partnerships.
MANILA, Philippines - Five college students on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to issue a temporary environmental protection order (Tepo) to stop the mass cutting of trees on Quirino Avenue in Manila for the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEx) project.
Led by journalism student Joaquin Bautista and sustainability and environment student Elisha Zantua, the group also filed a petition for certiorari after the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 41 rejected their first petition for a Tepo, citing a technicality.
Named as respondents in the students' petition were the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. and Manila Judge Rosalyn Loja.
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