Students, environmentalists seek court order vs. SMC over Manila tree-cutting project

Youth and environmental groups take legal action over urban tree removal.

Students and environmental advocates on Monday filed a petition before the Manila Regional Trial Court seeking a Temporary Environmental Protection Order (TEPO) against San Miguel Corp. (SMC) over the cutting and relocation of hundreds of trees for the Southern Access Link Expressway (SALEX) project along Quirino Avenue in Manila.

The complaint, filed before Branch 41 of the Manila RTC, was lodged by several student petitioners “in representation of the Filipino youth and generations yet unborn,” according to court documents.

Named as defendant in the case is SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp., represented by its president, Ramon S. Ang.

The petitioners argued that the case was filed not only for present communities but also for future generations who may bear the environmental consequences of large-scale infrastructure developments.

According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the SALEX project will affect a total of 617 trees, with 523 slated for cutting and 94 scheduled for earth-balling or relocation.

The petitioners warned that the removal of hundreds of mature trees could have long-term environmental repercussions, including reduced flood mitigation capacity, weaker soil stability, and deteriorating air quality in one of the country’s most densely populated urban areas.

They also called for greater ecological accountability from the project proponents and urged SMC to undertake rehabilitation measures for affected areas.

“The action is filed on behalf of the youth and future generations,” the petitioners said, stressing the need to safeguard environmental resources amid rapid urban development.

The Southern Access Link Expressway is a major infrastructure project designed to connect Metro Manila’s southern districts to the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and improve traffic flow in the capital.

The filing adds a new legal challenge to the project as debates continue over balancing infrastructure development with environmental protection.

As of posting, SMC has yet to issue a statement regarding the petition.

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