The Save the Trees Coalition (STC) successfully launched its first volunteer-driven urban tree inventory along MacArthur Highway on June 30, 2026, bringing together 38 volunteers to document and assess roadside trees in the City of San Fernando, Pampanga . The initiative aims to establish a scientific, data-backed foundation for roadside tree preservation, particularly ahead of the local government's planned pruning activities.
38 Volunteers Document Heritage Trees Along a Busy Highway
The activity, dubbed "Discovering the Trees of MacArthur Highway: Urban Tree Inventory & Assessment Activity," covered the stretch from Sindalan to Telabastagan. It was spearheaded by licensed foresters Luid Paolo Serrano and John Philip Fajarda, who led volunteers in identifying tree species, measuring trunk diameters, and assessing overall health . Initial findings documented 58 trees, with dominant species including acacia, kamachile, gmelina, and talisay . Many of these trees are decades old, with growth dating back to the 1970s, forming a green corridor that provides shade and contributes to the area's environmental health .
Data Collection Guides Science-Based Tree Preservation
Beyond identification, volunteers recorded structural attributes and mapped vulnerabilities such as trunk wounds, decay, and termite presence. This field data provides the health baselines needed to guide the local government's upcoming tree pruning activities safely and scientifically . Lawyer Viel Caligagan, the coalition's legal counsel, noted that proper pruning should be based on technical assessment under the guidance of the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) and with permits from the DENR-PENRO . The coalition has a long history of advocating for the preservation of these heritage trees, having previously opposed their cutting for road-widening projects.
Future Plans and Continued Commitment
The afternoon session was temporarily paused due to inclement weather, but the coalition will announce the continuation date shortly . Additionally, a separate volunteer-led tree inventory is already scheduled to roll out along Friendship Highway later in July . Despite the absence of formal coordination with the local government, the City of San Fernando Police Department deployed a mobile patrol unit to ensure the safety of volunteers and passing motorists during the inventory . Fernandinos are encouraged to help protect these trees, which play a vital role in the city's urban environment .
