Construction in Pucsusan kills 51 pine trees, more under threat

At least 51 Benguet pine trees have been killed, and 46 more are at risk due to an ongoing construction in Pucsusan Barangay, reportedly linked to SMI Development Corporation, a Manila-based developer. This comes on top of previous tree-cutting activities where 52 and 41 Benguet pine trees were felled in 2022 and 2023 respectively under tree-cutting permits issued by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
According to DENR-Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), the company’s development and hotel construction activities were issued an environmental compliance certificate (ECC) and a clearance from the Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve-Protected Area Management Board (LAWFR-PAMB) on January 15, 2020, allowing the development to proceed under certain conditions.
The property, owned by SMI Development Corp., is a titled area located within the Multi-Use Zone of the Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve. A certificate of land status issued by PAMB confirms that the property is outside any military reservation and falls within the Baguio Townsite Reservation.
In response to reports of tree-cutting in the area, DENR-CAR has referred the matter to the City Government of Baguio, stating that it does not fall under the punishable provisions of the Revised Forestry Reform Code (PD 705, as amended). Instead, they claim that jurisdiction may fall under the local government, citing Section 226 of Ordinance 18-2016 or the Environment Code of Baguio City.
Section 226.a of the Environment Code states that no pine tree in the city shall be cut except under extraordinary conditions as specified in a previous provision of the Code and only with a valid permit. Violators shall be subject to a fine of P5,000.00 per illegally cut pine tree, imprisonment for at least one year, or both, at the discretion of the court.
Additionally, DENR-CAR plans to refer the matter to its legal division and elevate it to the Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve (LAWFR) to determine possible violations of the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS).
In a letter to Councilor Jose Molintas, DENR-CAR Regional Director Paquito Moreno reported that an investigation and site inspection conducted on January 23, 2025 revealed that 51 mature Benguet pine trees were found dead, possibly due to development activities by SMI Development Corp. Additionally, approximately 46 mature Benguet pine trees had “disturbed tree bases” caused by these activities.
The inspection also found no evidence of cutting, collection, or gathering of the affected trees. However, a post-cutting report dated November 7, 2023, indicated that some Benguet pine trees had already died due to earthmoving activities. At that time, the company was advised to secure the necessary permits for the affected trees.
“Since no Benguet pine trees or other species were found to have been illegally cut, collected, and/or gathered, this case does not fall under violations punishable by Section 77 of the Revised Forestry Reform Code (PD 705, as amended). We are therefore referring this matter to the City Government for appropriate action as it may fall under their jurisdiction pursuant to Section 226 of the Environment Code,” Paquite wrote in the letter.
The issue was brought up during the city council’s regular session on February 24, 2025, during which Punong Barangay Karl Gabaen and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) were invited to update the city officials on the matter.
Daniel Killip, CEPMO representative, said their office had issued a notice of violation and a stoppage order for ground leveling activities in response to these complaints. However, despite the order, construction activities were still ongoing. When asked when boreholes were or chemicals were used to kill the trees, he said no boreholes were found in the trees they examined.
Killip said their office plans to file a case against the company and its contractor using the Environment Code.
According to Gabaen, after finally being allowed entry into the compound, he observed through manual counting that around 100 pine trees had already dried up or died, far more than the initially reported 51 trees.
Gabaen raised serious concerns about the non-coordination of the developers, stating that the corporation acted as if they were entitled to do as they pleased within the property.
In a letter dated July 26, 2024, and addressed to the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO), Gabaen appealed for the issuance of a hold and desist order against the hotel’s construction. He cited environmental and safety concerns, including inadequate slope protection, lack of a proper drainage system, and failure to implement mitigating measures against natural calamities which have led to mudslides and damages. However, CENRO has yet to respond to his appeal.
During the city council session, Former Punong Barangay Richard Mendoza said a consultation was held prior to the construction and that the barangay council and constituents had approved the project, leading to the issuance of a resolution of no objection.
Molintas expressed concern over the continued destruction of trees despite the stoppage order issued by CEPMO. He emphasized the urgency of swift legal action and stricter monitoring to prevent further environmental damage. He also urged the City Buildings and Architecture Office (CBAO) to investigate the matter and, if violations are found, consider revoking the company’s building permit.
Meanwhile, Councilor Arthur Allad-iw questioned the interpretation that the case does not fall under PD 705, pointing out that the said law also penalizes unauthorized tree-cutting, even if only branches were removed without a permit. He urged concerned authorities to further review whether the case could still be pursued under this law.
The city council invited DENR-CAR and SMI Development Corp. to its March 17 regular session to present their side on this issue. **Jordan G. Habbiling
Author’s note: This is a developing story. An updated report will be released following the dialogue scheduled for March 17, 2025.