Shot at Deca Resort Residences, Mintal, Davao City Every morning, I walk my dog around the village and

this spot happens to be our favorite place to rest, as a huge tree provides shelter from the scorching heat and it being near a river, we experience a cooler breeze. However, about a few weeks ago, I noticed that the tree has been slowly cut-off to make way for a wider road that our subdivision has been planning to develop. This picture depicts of a certain environmental issue that we should all be concerned about. There is an urgent need to find balance between development (industrial or residential) and the conservation of our environment. This tree, clearly, is older than most of us. For me, it seems to be a complete waste to cut it down just like that. Its life ended, all for some residents convenience. In the case of Oposa vs Factoran, the concept of intergenerational responsibility was introduced to us. While our generation has the right to use the earths resources, we are also duty bound not to misuse or exhaust it, so that those of our species to come in much later years will still have something to use. Indeed, this concept is even recognized in our 1987 Constitution which states that, The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature (Article 2, Section 16). It may be too late already for this particular tree, as its branches are slowly dying and its once lush leaves are slowly thinning. However, let this be a lesson to me. Let us be more vigilant in protecting our Environment. We have enough Laws, we just need to implement it. -Renan Norbert C. Lasala-