Log ban won’t affect local wood supply, says Paje

MANILA, Philippines –  Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said Malacañang’s recent order for a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in natural and residual forests will not affect the country’s wood supply.

Paje said expanding the harvesting operations in tree plantations can very well fill up for wood sourced from natural forests.

“The country’s shift to tree plantation development has been given the needed push in recognizing the sustainability of tree plantations as a viable source of timber,” the official said, adding that in line with the President’s order is the implementation of a massive regreening program.

President Aquino earlier issued Executive Order (EO) No. 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.

According to the DENR, with the imposition of EO 23, the government will be able to save some P1.4 billion yearly given the log production of 801,520 cubic meters annually.

Paje announced that the department in cooperation with other agencies, local government units and the police and military, will conduct massive reforestation efforts.

“I already gave instruction to our officials in the region to check potential sites for this greening program. Communities in these areas will be encouraged to participate by helping nurture the planted seedlings,” the DENR chief said.

He added that in cooperation with the Department of Education, some 14 million students will be tapped to plant trees.

Around 1.5 million hectares of forestland will reportedly be covered by this project to be undertaken within a period of five years.

Paje had also warned that it would declare as illegal mere possession of wood coming from trees of natural species, particularly those lacking proper documents.

He said they are set to check the inventory and thereafter, those found holding on to logs from Dipterocarp species, will be considered as engaged in illegal activity.

Dipterocarps provided the bulk of what is sold on the market as “Philippine mahogany.” It is known to Filipinos by such names as apitong, bagtikan, lauan, tangile, guijo, and yakal.

Paje noted that based on Presidential Decree No. 705 (Forestry Code of the Philippines), violators will be meted six months to 20 years imprisonment. –Rhodina J. Villanueva (The Philippine Star)