San Miguel to plant 50,700 trees under DENR’s 100:1 replacement rule

Insider Spotlight

• San Miguel said tree management activities for its Manila expressway segment are being carried out under DENR-approved safeguards.
• The company will plant 50,700 replacement seedlings, complying with the DENR-mandated 100:1 tree replacement ratio.
• Ninety-four affected trees were identified as suitable for relocation, with more than 30 already transferred to sites within Manila.

San Miguel Corp. on Monday said tree management activities linked to the construction of its planned Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. (SALEX) elevated toll road in Manila are being undertaken under safeguards approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), while highlighting a large-scale greening program for affected areas.

In a statement, the conglomerate said the activities form part of the pre-construction phase of the 3.97-kilometer Manila segment of the expressway, which will traverse portions of Quirino Avenue, San Marcelino Street, and Roxas Boulevard. The company said the approved alignment was selected after evaluating several alternatives and was deemed the most feasible option based on engineering requirements while minimizing displacement and disruption.

Why it matters

The project has drawn attention due to concerns over trees affected along the corridor. San Miguel said the activities are covered by permits issued by the DENR following a technical assessment and tree inventory. Of the affected trees, 94 were found suitable for earth-balling and relocation, with more than 30 already transferred to other locations in Manila.

The company said not all trees can be relocated because earth-balling requires preserving root systems and may not be feasible in areas with limited road space, underground utilities, nearby structures, or for trees unsuitable for transplantation. It added that a comprehensive review is ongoing to determine the status and treatment of all affected trees.

The big picture

Under DENR permit conditions, San Miguel is required to plant 50,700 replacement seedlings consisting of indigenous forest species as well as fruit-bearing and economically viable trees. The company emphasized that this planting commitment conforms with the DENR-mandated 100:1 tree replacement ratio, making it a central component of the project’s environmental compliance obligations.

The seedlings will be planted in sites designated by DENR-NCR and maintained for a mandatory three-year period. San Miguel said it is also coordinating with government agencies on opportunities to strengthen the greening program, including the possible use of larger saplings, community greening sites, and shade-planting initiatives.

The 40.65-kilometer SALEX network is designed to provide a more direct route for motorists and cargo vehicles across Metro Manila, helping ease congestion on major corridors and improving connectivity between key transport hubs and expressway systems.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story said that San Miguel would plant 82 trees for every tree that was affected by the SALEX project. That information was erroneous and has been corrected.

— Edited by Daxim L. Lucas