Marikina City Mayor Maan Teodoro has called on the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to protect the city’s mature trees and green zones as construction continues on the Marcos Highway–St. Mary Avenue Bridge Project, or Bridge 1.
In formal letters sent to DPWH Secretary Vince Dizon and DENR Secretary Juan Miguel Cuna, Teodoro recognized that the project would boost flood mitigation, alleviate traffic, and improve travel routes, but she insisted that environmental damage must be minimized.
An environmental assessment for July to December 2025, conducted by Lichel Technologies Inc. for the DPWH and the Asian Development Bank, projected that roughly 514 trees and assorted vegetation could be disrupted by the construction.
“While the project serves an important public purpose, all reasonable measures should be undertaken to preserve the City’s remaining green spaces and mature trees to the greatest extent possible,” Teodoro said.
The mayor requested that the DPWH and DENR re-examine the total number of affected trees and make every effort to keep existing greenery intact.
For the trees that cannot be avoided, she pushed for proper earthballing and replanting procedures that strictly adhere to DENR rules and professional arboricultural guidelines.
Teodoro recommended moving the uprooted trees to areas within Provident Village or adjacent public zones so local residents can continue enjoying their environmental benefits. Furthermore, she advocated for a prolonged care and observation system to guarantee the transplanted trees survive.
She also requested stronger collaboration between national departments and local authorities when determining relocation spots and monitoring ecological defenses.
“We believe that the public infrastructure project can achieve its public purpose while mitigating its effect on the environment and preserving Marikina’s urban landscape for the benefit of the community,” Teodoro said.
“In the interest of the shared commitment to environmental stewardship, the City Government of Marikina looks forward to the continued cooperation of the DPWH and the DENR regarding this matter,” she added.
This appeal aligns with Marikina’s ongoing drive to scale up community spaces and champion eco-friendly urban development.
Just last June, the local government unveiled the Marikina Active Transport Park in Barangay Marikina Heights to encourage cycling and walking. Once fully operational, it will feature outdoor exercise zones, a skate and BMX park, amenities for commuters, and a pet area.
The mayor previously promised that this transport park would incorporate the area’s existing trees into its design rather than cutting them down.
Marikina has additionally advanced active mobility through its “Marikina Together: Car-Free Sundays” initiative, which closes parts of Gil Fernando Avenue to motorized traffic to give runners and cyclists free rein.
Furthermore, the city partnered with the Metro Manila Development Authority earlier this year to launch the refurbished Jesus Dela Peña Recreational Park, creating dedicated leisure areas for children and seniors.
These collective programs underscore Marikina’s strategy to expand open spaces and enhance urban livability while balancing infrastructure development with environmental preservation.