Century Old Trees... Palitan ng Casino!

World-renowned urban and environmental planner Felino “Jun” Palafox yesterday called on the government to look into possible violations of local laws in connection with a planned multimillion-peso hotel-casino project inside the Subic Bay area.

In an interview, Palafox said he was tapped by a foreign architectural firm that prepared the original plan for the Ocean 9 Casino and Hotel Resort to do the working drawings and the final architectural designs on the project but he refused, in the process saying no to a $1-million architectural fee.

He said he pulled out of the project upon learning that it will be constructed inside an area classified as a forest park and that at least 366 trees, many of them 100 years old, will have to be uprooted.

“The project cannot be done without cutting down these trees. I will not stand for it, even if it means giving up $1 million. Why should I sell my soul and sign my name on a project that violates everything I stand for?” he said.

Palafox emphasized that the trees cannot be incorporated in the development plan, as suggested by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), project proponent Grand Utopia, and the foreign architect.

“They are putting up several levels of basement parking. How can you construct this around the trees?” he said.

He also called on the Professional Regulation Commission to find out why a foreign architectural firm is being allowed to practice architecture in the country.

“We are seeing here violations of several laws, including the Architect’s Law and the Government Planning Law. In addition, how can they possibly allow the conversion of a forest area into a ‘buildable’ area?” he said.

Palafox added that he will not put his name on a project that simply will not pass environmental standards.

“They were persecuting Bambi Harper for the cutting of a few trees in Intramuros. For this project, we are talking of 366 trees,” he said.

SBMA administrator and chief executive officer Armand Arreza earlier said that while the SBMA Ecology Center has classified the project site as part of an urban jungle due to the density of the trees, it is still within the commercial zone where development is allowed.

Arreza said the area, which previously contained a mini-golf course built during the days of the US Navy, has been classified under SBMA zoning regulations as a commercial area.

He added that the recommendation of the Ecology Center was to incorporate the trees in the development plan, or if it won’t be possible, to ball the trees and transfer them to a new location.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Lito Atienza said he won’t allow the “wanton cutting of trees in our forests” and promised to look into the matter. – With Katherine Adraneda