Several problems, including unconducive investment environment, continue to hinder the development of the local forestry sector, which could help boost the country’s economic growth.
Citing the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda), the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) said the forestry sector is still grappling with unconducive policy for forestry investment and the absence of a national policy that addresses permanent forest limit and delineation.
According to the PWPA, figures from the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources showed that the forestry industry contributed around P2.3 billion to the country’s gross domestic product in 2017.
“To help spur growth, the government has identified specific steps to take under the Philippine Development Plan [PDP] 2017-2022 to ensure that the local forestry sector continues to be responsive to current problems,” PWPA said in a statement over the weekend.
Among the solutions identified under the PDP 2017-2022 are complete delineation of final forest limits, including protection and production areas through legislation and the promotion of sustainable forest-based industries. “The former will better equip our country to manage our forests, while the latter will ensure that livelihoods that depend on forests will be protected and made more sustainable,” PWPA said.
“Another opportunity to fulfill the great promise of Philippine forestry that the government has identified is the widespread adaptation of sustainable forest management,” it added.
PWPA Chairman Charlie Liu said the Philippine forestry sector is “filled with promise.”
The forestry sector is comprised of 1,700 establishments that employ over 70,000 people, PWPA said.
“Many Filipinos across the country depend on our industry for their livelihoods. That’s why we are adamant about campaigning for the wider adaptation of sustainable forest management,” Liu said.
“We believe that through it we can empower more Filipinos who rely on the forestry sector,” he added.
In line with PWPA’s campaign for sustainable forest management, the organization is holding the Philippine Wood Expo 2019 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on October 21 and 22.