Hearings vs SM set March 15 | Sun.Star.

By JM Agreda
March 1, 2012

DEVELOPMENT plans of SM Baguio will be further delayed after the court suspended the hearing of a civil case for injunction leading to a Temporary Environment Protection Order case against the mall.

Regional Trial Court Branch 5 Judge Antonio Estevez suspended the hearing for the case on March 15 after hearing the side of the opposition and the proponents of the mall expansion project which will allegedly endanger 183 pine and alnus trees.

Named respondents in the case are Secretary Ramon Paje of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Lawyer Juan Miguel Cuna of the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau, SM Investments Corporation and Department of Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson.

Complainants presented their concerns on the effects of earth-balling of trees on the natural heritage of the area, effects on the water table of the city and carbon sequestration if the trees are relocated.

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