Foresters push wood self-sufficiency, biodiversity protection

By Mariela Angella Oladive

More than 1,400 foresters from across the country gathered this week in Iloilo City for the 77th Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI) National Conference, themed “Promoting Wood Self-Sufficiency and Biodiversity Conservation.”

The five-day event, which began Sept. 10 at the Iloilo Convention Center, highlights urgent calls for sustainable forestry practices and greater investment in the country’s natural resources.

In a press conference on the sidelines, SFFI National Directorate President Atty. Roberto Oliva expressed concern over the country’s growing dependence on imported wood.

“Our theme is promoting self-sufficiency. This is nationwide because unfortunately, our country is now importing wood,” he said.

“Can you imagine a country that is as rich as the Philippines in terms of natural resources, in terms of wood—before, we were exporters to Japan, America, Europe, Korea, etc.—now we’re importing 70 to 80 percent,” he added.

He urged the government to stop importing wood and instead invest in tree plantations.

Oliva also stressed the importance of biodiversity conservation, noting that the Philippines is one of only 17 megadiverse countries in the world.

He said the country is home to a vast array of unique plants and animals, many of which are under threat.

“How do we promote biodiversity? By planting more trees in protected areas, developing ecotourism, and encouraging compatible uses,” he said.

“Our natural parks should not just be for picture taking but also to contribute to improving the livelihoods of local communities.”

Oliva also lauded the Iloilo provincial government for its vision of transforming the province into a “forest province.”

He said the declaration is powerful and commendable, made more meaningful by the province and city’s active coordination with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR Region 6 Executive Director Raul Lorilla reported that Western Visayas has about 400,000 hectares of forestland, but actual forest cover remains only 12 percent, far below the ideal 48 to 52 percent.

“We still have a long way to go to achieve the 48 percent requirement. But we are continuing the efforts—the tree planting, the tree growing of LGUs, and other rehabilitation efforts, including the forest protection of the existing plantation,” Lorilla said.

He added that through the National Greening Program, the region has already established 11,000 hectares of additional tree plantations.

As part of the conference, participants will visit key ecological sites in the region, including the Katunggan Integrated Ecopark in Leganes, the Bulabog Putian Natural Park in Dingle, a Forest Management Project site in Janiuay, and the Taklong Island Marine Reserve in Guimaras.