| ANC — Thursday 21 May 2026The Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources has defended the removal of hundreds of decades-old trees along Quirino Avenue in Manila. The clearing operation was carried out to accommodate the construction of a new expressway intended to ease chronic traffic congestion in the capital. DENR officials stated that the trees were evaluated prior to cutting and that necessary permits were secured in accordance with existing regulations. They noted that the project forms part of ongoing infrastructure initiatives designed to improvWatch the full video below.