San Miguel Corp. (SMC), through its unit SMC Southern Access Link Expressway Corp. (SMC SALEX), has defended ongoing tree management activities for the planned elevated toll road in Manila, stressing that the project is being carried out under safeguards approved by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as reported by BusinessWorld .
“Clearing works are needed to build the expressway,” SMC said in a statement, emphasizing that all activities follow environmental compliance measures. The company assured the public that only necessary trees are being removed and that mitigation efforts, such as tree planting, are being implemented.
The SALEX project is designed to provide a direct link between the South Luzon Expressway and the NAIA Expressway, aiming to reduce traffic congestion. Environmental groups have raised concerns over the tree-cutting, but SMC maintains that it operates with full regulatory compliance.