Bataan widens roads, saves trees

ABUCAY, Bataan – Crucial in the promotion of Bataan as the preferred location for eco-industrial investments in the country is the maintenance of road networks in the province as well as assuring the safety of motorists and the riding public.

The ongoing road widening project at the Roman Expressway, that will expand said road from its existing 4 lanes to six lanes will definitely address said concern.

However, the Provincial Government of Bataan’s vision does not end in just providing good roads and assuring the safety of motorists. Its vision is inclusive and sustainable economic growth which entails protecting or maintaining a sound ecological balance in the province.

In carrying out the road widening project, several trees along the Roman Expressway that will be “hit” are being saved. Using the “earthballing” method, trees that are about 15-30cm in diameter, are uprooted and transplanted to another location. In this town, said trees are transplanted to the town’s sanitary landfill facility.

Current status of the earthballed trees have 70% survival rate. Seedlings are planted to replenish those that do not survive the procedure.

This project is a collaborative effort of different national and local agencies, namely: the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH), Provincial Government-Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Metro Bataan Development Authority (MBDA), and the Provincial Engineering Office (PEO).