Earth Day 2008 Celebrated Vietnam Hosts Asia-Pacific Forestry Week

Vol.6, No. 2 March - April 2008 Vietnam Hosts Asia-Pacific Forestry Week PWPA with Philippine Delegation

ietnam hosted the Asia-Pacific Forestry Week last 21-26 April 2008 at its National Convention Center Me Tri, Tu Liem, Hanoi. V Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation, the event was the largest and most important forestry-related events in the Asia- Pacific region in 2008. About 500 delegates from governments, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, regional and international networks, UN agencies and the private sector who attended the event were provided with a unique opportunity for sharing perspectives and seeking solutions to the most challenging issues facing forests and Trio in Hanoi. (l‐r) Dr. Florentino Tesoro, former Department of Science and Technology undersecretary, Forester Jose Lorenzo, PWPA forestry today. (Continued on page 2) adviser and Forester Romeo Acosta, Forest Management Bureau direc‐ tor and head of Philippine delegation. Earth Day 2008 Celebrated PWPA and EDNP Sponsor Pontifical Mass n concluding the April-long Network Philippines, Inc. (EDNP) mangrove tree species. Earth day celebration, the sponsored the Pontifical Mass held PWPA donated 500 seedlings of Philippine Wood last April 22, 2008 at the Manila Cathe- bakauan which were distributed to the Producers Association dral, City of Manila. Earth Day 2008 public for planting after the mass. (PWPA) and the Earth Day has the theme: “Tubig ng Buhay Ating I Pagyamanin at Linisin.” The Earth Day started very early that morning with a fluvial parade The mass was celebrated by His dubbed, “Paglalayag, Paglalakbay at Eminence, Gaudencio Cardinal Pagtitipon,” with about a hundred Rosales and attended by represen- decorated boats - half of them coming tatives from different sectors of soci- from Plaza Mexico in Manila and the ety including incumbent and former other from Bacoor, Cavite - converging heads of the Department of Environ- at the SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City. ment and Natural Resources: Jose Atienza Jr. and Angelo Reyes, On land, about 100 members of Michael Defensor, Elisea Gozun the DENR bicycle club, riding on the and Heherson Alvarez, respectively. theme, “Padyak para sa Kalikasan,” pedaled-off from the Ninoy Aquino PWPA chairman Antonio Olizon Parks and Wildlife Nature Center in was one of the offerors during the Quezon City towards the SM Mall of An Offering. PWPA Chairman Antonio Olizon mass presenting a bakauan Asia. offered a bakauan seedling during the Pontifical (Rhizophora spp.) seedling, a Mass last April 22, 2008 at the Manila Cathedral. (Continued on page 2) WoodStock Industry & Environment News Vietnam Hosts... DENR - NCR Regional WPP

(Continued from page 1) Rationalization Plan Reviewed Plenary sessions were focused on the three pillars of sustainable development: social, environ- n line with the Department of Environment and Natural mental, and economic. Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 2007-13 - The social agenda, “forests and poverty,” high- I lifting the moratorium on the issuance of new WPP lighted the issues on resource tenure and access, permits for sawmilling purposes using only raw materials from decentralization, livelihood and community participa- planted species and directing all regions to prepare and submit tion. their respective Regional Wood Processing Plan (RWPP) for approval by the Secretary - the DENR-NCR and the Philippine “Forests and climate change” topped the envi- Wood Producers Association (PWPA) and the Philippine Lumber ronment agenda that discussed the role of forestry in Merchants Association (PLMA) met on April 30, 2008 to discuss or mitigating climate change and how forestry will adapt review the region’s proposed WPP rationalization plan. to climate change. (Continued on page 10) The “economic” agenda tackled the issues on trade, timber certification, forest law enforcement and governance, and forestry investment. The Philippine delegation, headed by Forest Management Bureau director Romeo Acosta, consisted of representatives from different government agencies, local government units, non- government organizations, financial institutions, and the private sector. The Philippine Wood Producers Association was represented by Forester Jose Lorenzo, its forestry and environment adviser. Asia-Pacific Forestry Week was anchored Towards Wood Processing Rationalization. (l‐r) DENR‐NCR division chief Rolly around the 22nd Session of the Asia-Pacific Forestry Malamug, PWPA director Ramon Uy, DENR‐NCR foresters Genalin Flaminiano Commission, one of six regional forestry commis- and Diana Romero, DENR‐NCR RED Cora Davis, PWPA F&E coordinator Maila sions supported by the Food and Agriculture Organi- Vasquez, former PWPA director/PLMA director Felix Sy, PWPA executive director zation (FAO) of the United Nations. Leonardo Angeles and PLMA director Aquino Lee. Earth Day 2008...

(Continued from page 1) Asia, where DENR secretary Jose tribute to the healing of planet Earth,” A clean-up along the Manila Bay Atienza, Jr. delivered his Earth Day’s Atienza said. shoreline near the Cultural Center of call to action: “Hamon ng Bayan para the Philippines (CCP) complex in sa Kalikasan.” Atienza also lead the re-launching Pasay City was undertaken by artists of “Industrial Eco Watch Program,” a and employees of the CCP. “Earth Day is an opportune time public disclosure about the perform- for us to reflect on what we, humans, ance of industries as to their compli- Before the mass, a special Earth have done to our planet. Our theme, ance with air and water standards. Day program entitled “Pagtitipon, gives us the chance to correct the Ugnayan at Pamamahayag” was held wrong we have done to our water, our With chair Olizon were president at the Music Hall of the SM Mall of air, and our land, so that we can con- Fernando Lu, directors Alex Ong and Aristeo Puyat and the PWPA staff.

EDITORIAL BOARD E-mail us at : WoodStock Fernando A. Lu, Chairman of the Board [email protected] Bi-monthly publication of the Antonio C. Olizon, President [email protected] or L.D. Angeles, Managing Editor [email protected] Philippine Wood Producers Association for your comments, feedback M. R. Vasquez, Newsletter Editor or letters to the Editor

Page 2 WoodStock Industry & Environment News On The Sustainable Forest Management Bill Lower House’s TWG Finalizes Review of the SFM Bill tion of the civil society of banning com- Angeles summarized the PWPA’s he Technical Working mercial logging in the natural forest comments and recommendations on Group (TWG) of the and the use of native tree species in the bill which were supported by the Lower House’s Com- reforestation. DENR/FMB and considered favorably mittee on Natural by the TWG. In response to the Haribon’s posi- TResources conducted its 3rd and final tion, Forest Management Bureau di- However, the DENR-PWPA pro- review of the bill on Sustainable Forest rector Romeo Acosta explained the posal of creating the Wood Industry Management Act (SFMA) last April 2, evolution of the bill from total logging Board, accordingly, may have to be 2008 at the House of Representatives, ban (during the 8th Congress) to raised to the Committee for its consid- Batasan Complex, Quezon City. today’s SFM (this 14th Congress) en- eration. Messrs. Acosta and Angeles The House’s committee secretary suring the allocation of protection and said that if it would cause a delay in (ComSec) said the bill has already production forestlands. approving the bill, an executive order been approved by the Committee and for the purpose could be promulgated. The issues raised by Haribon, that the purpose of the TWG was according to the ComSec, may be The ComSec said the Commit- merely to fine tune it. taken up during the House plenary tee’s final draft bill will be referred to Notwithstanding the statement of session when the bill shall have been the House’s Committee on Ways and the ComSec, Dr. Tabaranza of the presented for its second reading. Means for its own conduct of a sepa- Haribon Foundation presented for the rate public hearing on the tax and PWPA executive director L. D. first time to the TWG the alleged posi- incentive provisions of the SFM bill. Senate’s Joint TWG Initiates Review of the SFM Bill • Increase the role of the local government; he joint Technical Working Group (TWG) of the committees on Environment and Natu- • Apply SFM even in titled lands; and ral Resources; Local Government; Ways & • Use of the terms: watershed continuum, as a planning Means; Cultural Communities; Constitu- framework and watershed unit, as a management tool. Ttional Amendments, Revision of Codes & Laws; and Finance was convened last April 14, 2008 at the Senate of PWPA executive director Leonardo Angeles mani- the Philippines, Pasay City, to fine-tune the Senate’s bill on fested the PWPA’s support for the bill and informed the Sustainable Forest Management (SFM). TWG that a PWPA position paper and comments on the bill were earlier submitted to the Committee on Environ- The TWG was presided by Atty. Karen Sarinas of the ment and Natural Resources secretariat and office of office of senator Pia Cayetano with support from 1) Atty. Senator Cayetano. DeeGee Anastacio, chief legislative officer of senator He suggested that definitions should conform with Cayetano, 2) Environment and Natural Resources Commit- those officially approved and/or accepted by government tee secretary Redia Atienza, 3) Ms. Nova Navo of the and the international organizations as well as those found office of senator Jamby Madrigal; and 4) Ms. Desiree in existing laws, which the TWG noted. He also recom- Guason of the office of senator Miguel Zubiri. In atten- mended the transfer of the definitions of protection and dance were resource persons from the DENR/FMB, production forestlands to the substantive provision or DepEd, League of Municipalities and Cities, the Haribon section of the bill which was accepted by the TWG. Foundation, Philippine Business for Environment, and the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA). Nothing that there seems to be no significant differ- ences between the Senate’s and House’s versions of the The TWG explained the format and process of fine- SFM bill the work of the Senate’s TWG was facilitated by tuning of the bill, i.e. by its chapters. the experiences of the resource persons gained from the House TWG’s. Suggestions on the first three chapters covering the basic policies were the following: Chapters I to III had been reviewed during the meeting, leaving chapters IV to XVI to future TWG meetings.

Page 3 WoodStock Industry & Environment News Atienza’s task force foils smuggling try of hot logs in Southern Mindanao the immediate vicinities on both sides Region XI Executive Director Ricardo he newly formed of the road unescorted by soldiers Calderon. The order bans the National Task Force despite the heightened guerrilla activ- transport of any kind of forest product, Kalikasan (NTFK) of ity of the New People’s Army (NPA) except rattan, along the 10-meter wide the Department of Envi- within the general area which is classi- road to protect the remaining forest Tronment and Natural Resources fied as a “hotspot.” cover located along the boundary of (DENR) recently confiscated some Davao Oriental and Compostela Valley “Only about 30 kilometers of the 1,130 pieces of sawn logs along the provinces. roadsides have thick vegetation where 60-kilometer Cateel-Compostela road the hot logs were mostly concentrated. Calderon’s move was also to believed abandoned by illegal loggers As it is, prudence dictated that we kept protect the famous “Aliwagwag Falls,” operating within the adjoining the retrieval operation as a purely civil- also called “Stairway to the Sky,” con- provinces of Compostela Valley and ian undertaking so as not to exacer- sidered as one of the rarest waterfalls Davao Oriental. bate the situation,” Cabagnot added. in Mindanao. It sits inside the 10,491- In a report to Environment and hectare watershed area which Last January, five soldiers and a Natural Resources Secretary Lito supports the irrigation needs of some policeman were killed by NPA rebels Atienza, NTFK Executive Officer 17,000 hectares of riceland in Cateel. in two separate incidents in Cateel and PSupt. Rommel Bernardo Cabagnot Compostela towns, respectively. Last February 6, DENR Secretary said the contraband were concealed Lito Atienza issued Department with wild plants and grasses lining The seized logs are presently Administrative Order 2008-01 directing both sides of the 10-meter wide road. impounded at a lumberyard in Baran- Cabagnot’s 18-man group to coordi- The road links the forested towns of gay Ngan, Compostela for safekeep- nate with all appropriate offices within Monte Vista and Compostela on the ing. and outside DENR for the enforcement Compostela Valley side and the towns Cabagnot said the logs were of environmental laws. of Boston and Cateel in Davao believed to be awaiting transport using Oriental. NTFK is also tasked to investi- cargo trucks loaded with copra and gate and gather evidences needed in The seized logs, valued at Php other agricultural products to conceal prosecuting suspected violators, 200,000, were mostly lauan and were the banned cargo from forestry officers including the “immediate arrest and hidden in areas as far as 10 meters manning checkpoints. detention of suspected violators of from the roadsides. The road, locally known as environmental laws, rules and regula- Cabagnot said NTFK operatives, “Aliwagwag road,” has been indefi- tions.” backed by local DENR forestry officers nitely placed under a “no transport Source: www.denr.gov.ph in Region 11, scoured last February policy” since December by DENR March 19, 2008 Atienza Acts on Reports of Illegal Logging in Aurora

again active in cutting down trees in "As I've always told our DENR offi‐ nvironment and Natural Aurora province. cials that they shall be held responsible Resources Secretary Lito and liable for unlawful activities in their “I have personally confirmed the Atienza today said the areas of responsibilities, Vicente will not report from my independent sources in reported resumption of only be relieved of his duties but we will the area and I have found that it has suffi‐ illegal logging in Dingalan, Aurora must be also make him answerable for all these E cient basis,” an enraged Atienza said. stopped at all costs, while those behind charges of illegal logging in his area of the nefarious activity must suffer the full At the same time, Atienza ordered responsibility. Appropriate charges will force of the law. the immediate relief of Community Envi‐ definitely be filed against him," Atienza ronment and Natural Resources (CENRO) said. The statement was issued by Atienza Meliton Vicente, by Joselito Blanco, a in reaction to published reports, which Atienza said a combined team of former CENRO of Cabanatuan City, Nueva quoted a leader of Task Force Sierra legal and law enforcement agents from Ecija. Madre (TFSM), that illegal loggers are the DENR will be dispatched to

(Continued on page 5)

Page 4 WoodStock Industry & Environment News Protests Growing Over Atienza OK of Logging CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – An and Exchange Commission in 1961, Tito Tubigan in a phone interview on information caravan in the nine IDC holds two Integrated Forest Sunday. villages of Dinalungan, Aurora, started Management Agreements (IFMA). Tubigan said he met Atienza on to gather support on Monday for the IFMA No. 14 covers 9,466 hectares April 17 to appeal for a review of the protest against the approval by Envi- and IFMA No. 2001-06 spans 48,877 secretary’s approval on the renewal of ronment Secretary Lito Atienza of a hectares in Dinalungan, Casiguran the operation plan over the 48,877- five-year logging plan by a firm in the and Dilasag. hectare area. province. The areas covered by the two “I opposed it because after Fr. Ceferino Valenzuela, the IFMA are more than half of the consultations with various sectors, the town’s parish priest, said the caravan 110,228 hectares of forests in the overwhelming sentiments of my mounted by the Concerned Citizens of three towns, documents showed. constituents is that they do not want Dinalungan started at 8 a.m., holding Of the nine companies that have legal or illegal logging because those short programs in every village it obtained IFMA for 150,774 hectares in degrade our natural environment,” he passed. Aurora, IDC manages a large portion said. The 200 participants were of Aurora’s forest. Tubigan said Noveras did not expected to reach the logging areas of Following the deadly landslides in inform him about the plan to renew the Industries Development Corp. (IDC) in the province in November and Decem- operation plan. “All that [Noveras] Barangays Ditawini and Abuleg in ber 2004, former Environment Secre- showed me were applications for Dinalungan, Dinadiawan in Dipaculao tary Michael Defensor allowed IDC to mayor’s permit and business permit. I town, and at the Aurora-Quirino harvest logs on Aug. 17, 2005, after a refused both,” he said. boundary before dusk. review team found its performance “We were deprived of our right to IDC vice president Michael Ong “satisfactory.” be consulted,” Tubigan said. and general manager Isaias Noveras Valenzuela said he and the He said the municipal council also have not replied to the Inquirer’s calls Concerned Citizens of Dinalungan had and text messages since Sunday opposed the renewal of the operation opposed legal and illegal logging plan. seeking reactions to the protest. because the town had been suffering Romulo Palma, IDC chief security from frequent floods and landslides Tubigan said Atienza promised a officer, promised to alert Noveras on since 1998. review. the request for interview. Noveras has Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer The calamities have killed at least Abridged from the reports from yet to call on Monday. five people and buried or washed out Tonette Orejas, Inquirer Central Registered with the Securities about 50 houses, according to Mayor Luzon; and Jocelyn Uy, in Manila April 30, 2008 Atienza Acts...

(Continued from page 4) catastrophe with epic proportions to hap‐ expose the activities and bring to justice Dingalan and other areas in Central Luzon pen,” he added. environmental criminals. Illegal logging to gather more information about the activities in Dingalan was brought to The DENR chief was also alarmed by illegal logging activities in the area so that public attention by Fr. Pete Montallana, reports that a relative of Dingalan town necessary legal measures will be taken. head of the TFSM‐Dingalan chapter. mayor Zenaida Padiernos was linked to “We have seen in Dingalan four the latest incidents of logging activities. “We want to strengthen partner‐ years ago the wrath of nature when land‐ “Local executives are our first line of de‐ ships with organizations like the TFSM,” slides killed a number of townspeople and fense in implementing environmental Atienza said. “Environmental criminals are sent several thousand others homeless,” laws. We face a bigger problem when wily. We must be one step ahead of them Atienza said. “All steps must be taken to local executives are not part of the solu‐ and organizations like TFSM are our best stop illegal logging in Dingalan and other tion.” allies in preventing violators in carrying parts of the country. To allow illegal log‐ out their moves,” he concluded. Atienza said community action and ging to continue is like begging for a vigilance of people’s and non‐government Source: www.denr.gov.ph organizations are two of the best ways to April 27, 2008

Page 5 WoodStock Columns Wood For Thought Of Monitoring & FTAs by Tony Olizon by Jun Keh

nfair. Prices of almost all construction material such as he Department of Trade and Indus- steel, galvanized roofing and cement have seen almost try’s Bureau of Product Standard/ 50% increase. Wood products, e.g. lumber and plywood, Philippine Wood Producers Associa- pricesU have however not improved as much. The increased preference for substi- Ttion (DTI/BPS-PWPA) regular monitoring team recently tutes like gypsum board or hardiflex could partially account for this, as well as the found in Batangas about 436 pieces of unmarked ply- preference for concrete and plastics over wood. Wood production costs have gone wood although with correct thicknesses of 5mm x 4 x 8 up tremendously. These costs, however, could not be passed on to consumers due from Hauzman Construction Supply and Ozone-Line to the supply from unfair competition from illegal wood sources who do not pay Construction Supply hardware stores. However, in their taxes. Legitimate suppliers of lumber and plywood are about ready to give up. accordance with the agreement with the DTI as to the They are all crying! “Unfair competition,” against the suppliers of illegitimate wood products. marking standards, the pieces of plywood were confiscated and DTI filed the necessary charges against these xxx two companies. Judge. Four former—plus the incumbent, secretaries of the Department of Based on the hearings conducted by the DTI/BPS, Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) attended the Manila Cathedral Mass the above-cited owners of the hardware stores were commemorating Earth Day. Secretaries Lito Atienza, Sonny Alvarez, Mike Defen- penalized P25,000.00 and P17,500 respectively for vio- sor, Bebet Gozun and Angie Reyes were one, at least on this occasion, in celebrat- lation of DAO 2 series of 2007 re: offering for sale uncer- ing Earth Day. As they bowed their heads, I asked myself, “Who among them is the tified or unmarked products and the plywood manufac- best at serving the interest of the country and the industry, balancing the needs of turer-supplier Li Chang Plywood Corp. was fined the people, the environment and the country?” As if a bulb that lit up answered, P35,000.00 for producing plywood without PS Mark and “History will judge them—as well as the Great Judge.” was ordered to put the necessary marking on its It would be a sell-out if somebody could sponsor a forum inviting the past plywood before it could be able to withdraw it from the DENR secretaries and ask them to give a 15-minute talk on their tenure, focusing DTI holding area. Li Chang Plywood Corp. did mark the on developments for the wood industry during their term. And the wood industry plywood in the presence of BPS and PWPA representa- players acting as judges, giving them frank ratings on their performance. Would my tives. friends in the wood industry dare do this? xxx xxx The Philippine Wood Producers Association Slow. There has been a noticeable decline in the government’s overall tree (PWPA) was invited to a public hearing/consultation on plantation/reforestation program. This should seriously be looked into, to assure the free trade agreements (FTA) - ASEAN-China FTA; country of perpetual supply of wood raw materials. Baka nakakalimutan! Our cycle ASEAN-Korea FTA and ASEAN-India FTA - last March of tree production should not be broken. Our country has more than enough 04, 2008 by the Tariff Commission at its headquarters in available lands for reforestation/industrial tree plantations and the private sector should be encouraged to venture into more industrial plantations. But, of course, it the Philippine Heart Center, Quezon City. goes without saying that investors in forest plantations would need more solid Based on the consultation made, PWPA submitted guaranty, aside from the verbal and written commitment of a DENR secretary. (The the following positions with regard plywood in particular: average tenure of a DENR secretary is 18 months.) the FTA between Asean and China, the extension of Unless the present impression of investors is reversed, we could not really flexibility of tariff rates reduction until it would become expect substantial investments in forest plantations. zero (0) by year 2012; the FTA between Asean and Korea, the adoption of the position jointly taken by other xxx Asean countries; and the FTA between Asean and Action. Looking at the wood suppliers from the Asean region, we note India, no objection to transfer plywood products from the that the Philippines has not really moved forward on the forest products certifi- sensitive list to the normal track 2. cation issue. This matter will have to be government led with the cooperation of the private sector. It is a pity because ‘certified’ wood products would command The PWPA has always been actively taking part in a minimum of a 10% premium of prices. Immediate action will be most ideal public hearings on tariff matters and submitting position and beneficial to everybody. papers because not only its members but also other players in the wood industry benefit from the exercise.

Page 6 WoodStock Updates 2007-2008 PWPA Officers

Fernando A. Lu Chairman of the Board

Antonio C. Olizon President

Alfonso C. Keh, Jr. Stanley Q. Tan Alex P. Ong Evaristo M. Narvaez, Jr. Executive Vice President Treasurer Asst. Treasurer/ VP - Timber VP Plywood

Ramon Y. Uy Charlie H. Liu Robert W. Kua Leonardo D. Angeles VP - Lumber VP - International Relations VP - Membership Relations Secretary/Executive Director

Photos of the elected members of the PWPA Board of Directors appeared in November‐December 2007 issue of the Woodstock. Ed.

Average Plywood and Substitute Prices Survey in NCR

Before Now Before Now (March 10, 2008) (April 23, 2008) (March 10, 2008) (April 23, 2008) (in Pesos/piece) (in Pesos/piece) 3mm (1/8) plywood 221 206 18 mm (3/4) plyboard 726 728 4 mm (3/16) plywood 267 255 1/8 lawanit 172 164 5 mm (1/4) plywood ordinary 281 279 3/16 lawanit 220 225 5 mm (1/4) plywood marine 333 331 1/4 Hardiflex 367 368

10 mm (1/2) plywood 512 486 Note: all pick-up prices inclusive of VAT 18 mm (3/4) plywood ordinary 824 777 retail prices

Page 7 WoodStock Updates On PWPA’s Proposed IFMA

IPs living inside the area and accord- tive plans (Tagalog version) they could he NCIP provincial ingly, the IP community would offer no use to explain to the members of the staff, led by Ms. Chan, objection on its development as long community. some members of the as it will be informed. As the IFMA area is inside the Aeta indigenous After the field investigation, the ancestral domain claim of the IP com- Tcommunity, led by Mr. Joseph team went to Barangay Mabayo to munity, the pre-FPIC meeting was Salonga, and PWPA representatives request for a certification that the area scheduled on May 2, 2008 at the led by forestry and environment coor- is within the said barangay. However, Regional NCIP office in San Fernando, dinator Maila Vasquez, jointly con- the barangay head said he will refer it Pampanga. ducted on March 31 and April 2, 2008 to his sanguniang mem- the field-based investigation (FBI) of bers during their session the area in Morong, Bataan being ap- on April 6, 2008 since he is plied for an IFMA by PWPA. still new to the position. The FBI is meant to determine The team was able to whether or not the area or portion of it get the certification on April is inside the ancestral domain claim of 2, 2008 from the IP an indigenous community. community’s chieftain, Ms. The FBI, under National Commis- Josefina Alejo, that the sion on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) area is inside their ances- Administrative Order 06-1 known as tral domain claim. the Free and Prior Informed Consent Briefed about the na- (PFIC) Guidelines, is a requirement ture of the project, the eld- Meet the Aeta Elders of Kanawan, Morong, Bataan. PWPA before considering the conduct of ers expressed no objection forestry & environment coordinator Maila Vasquez (center, FPIC process and the award of any to the development of the seated) with chieftain Josefina Alejo (seated, second from tenurial instrument like an IFMA. right) NCIP provincial director Patricio Liborio (standing, with area provided they will be hat) and other elders of the IP community and NCIP provin‐ The field investigation found no given a copy of the indica- cial staff. On Good Harvest Agro-Forest Group Activities

The GH model orchard is expandable to more or less ood Harvest (GH) Agro-Forest Group vice 3,000 hectares. Intercrops such as vegetables, cutflower president Wilma Siason presented to the and other fruiting trees are also interspersed with super G Philippine Wood Producers Association mango trees. (PWPA) an effective ‘carbon neutral’ action an organization can adopt along its environ- The GH area is also a resort haven with its natural- mental corporate social responsibility (eCSR). spring-water-fed swimming pool, pavilions, nipa huts and a man-made waterfall. Horseback riding is the best form GH is currently undertaking a mango farming and moving around the area. exporting (MF&E) program in Bagac, Bataan. It is an agro- forestry model, called the GH MF&E Carbon Offset Tree PWPA president Fernando Lu informed GH that Planting Program, a self-sustaining, self-liquidating and self PWPA has applied for an IFMA area in Morong, Bataan -expanding eCSR project accepting corporate investor- and may seek GH’s expertise and experiences when the partners. IFMA becomes operational. He said PWPA members will be informed about the GH program. Under the model, 5 to 10% of the plantings are export -variety mango trees and the rest, endemic forest trees for With president Lu were chairman Antonio Olizon, the client-partner’s tree planting-carbon offsetting measure. executive director Leonardo Angeles and forestry and envi- The model enables companies to recover their investment ronment coordinator Maila Vasquez. With VP Siason were through the export-type mango growing. GH’s sales directors Alex Eufemio and Pepito de Leon.

Page 8 WoodStock In The Know Philippines Joined Earth Hour Europe Moves Towards Some 24 global cities participated in Earth Hour at Sustainable Forest Management 8pm on March 29, 2008. Earth Hour is the highlight of a major campaign to encourage businesses, communities and individuals to take the simple steps needed to cut eneva Switzerland: The ministers their emissions on an ongoing basis. It is about simple responsible for forestry of 38 countries changes that will collectively make a difference – from G met at the 5th Ministerial Conference on businesses turning off their lights when their offices are the Protection of Forests in Europe empty, to households turning off appliances rather than (Mcpfe) from November 5-7, 2007 in leaving them on standby. Warsaw - on the theme of 'Forests for Quality of Life'. Earth Hour is an international event, started in A ministerial declaration and two resolutions were Sydney, Australia on March 31 2007, where it made a adopted. These contain the commitments on promotion of powerful statement about the greatest contributor to wood as a renewable energy carrier and the role of forest global warming – coal-fired electricity – by turning off its in water protection – in the context of climate change for lights for an hour. Over 2.2 million Sydney residents and implementation at a national level. over 2,100 businesses switched off, leading to a 10.2% The Conference had before it, an assessment of the energy reduction across the city. This caught the attention state of Europe’s forests, prepared by the Mcpfe Liaison of the world. Unit with United Nations Economic Commission For The Philippines is among those who participated in Europe (Unece) and Fao. The report addresses all criteria the event, with the initiative of WWF-Philippines, the of sustainable forest management, provides relevant infor- Presidential Task Force on Climate Change (PTFCC), mation for policymakers and points to potentially Green Army and Philips. Major support was given by the unsustainable situations in some indicators for certain cities of Pasay, Manila, Paranaque and Makati. countries. On March 29th, from 8:00pm to 9:00pm, the Philip- It was concluded that European forests are sustaina- pines’ capital, Manila and more than 30 cities nationwide bly managed, with caveats in all three areas of sustainable joined the world for Earth Hour. The entire stretch of development: economic, social and environment. Roxas Boulevard – spanning three cities – was plunged The executive secretary of Unece, Marek Belka, into darkness to symbolize unity in fighting climate addressed the Conference. He pointed out the need to change. Thousands flocked to the Cultural Center of the balance different positions and interests to find a sustain- Philippines where Earth Hour Ambassadors held a heart- able solution, rather than having a ‘winner’ in a contest of felt countdown ceremony. political strength. Malls, museums, offices, households, billboards, He added: “The next challenge will be to develop a monuments and streets were plunged into darkness. rational and sustainable consensus on the role of wood in Even the Presidential Palace of Malacanang switched off. renewable energy supply, while respecting the other users Dozens of corporations pitched in, led by Philips of this unique material.” Lighting Systems. The SM group – the nation’s most ex- Mr. Belka also discussed public perceptions and tensive network of malls – all switched off. The Ayala communication about the forest sector, saying: “it is a sad group, McDonald’s, Jollibee, Max’s, Red Ribbon, Star- fact that the public, indeed many decision makers, have bucks, Coca-Cola, HSBC, Intel, Shangri-la and Peninsula many wrong perceptions of the status and trends of Euro- Hotels, Smart, Globe, Canon, Dell, Cemex, Colliers and pean forests. An authoritative and clear document like the Tetrapak were but a few of who took part. Warsaw report can help dispel these misunderstandings.” The switch-off was supported by every major media He welcomed the fact that Mcpfe will cooperate with network – with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Star, Busi- Unece, Fao, and the EU in the Pan-European Forest ness World, ABS-CBN, GMA-7, numerous stations and Week in October 2008, saying that this event will present publications not only providing coverage, but also partici- an opportunity to demonstrate the cooperation and dyna- pating in the nation’s biggest and most memorable mism of the region’s forest sector institutions campaign on climate change. Rarely have the Filipino people been roused to such levels. Source: FDM Asia, March 2008 Source: www.earthhour.org/cities/manila

Page 9 WoodStock In the Know

Forests & Climate Change in Asia...Some Facts & Figures Forests transport sector (IPCC, 2001)

• Total global forest cover in2005 was around 4,000 million • The world’s second and third largest carbon emitters, hectares (m ha), or 30% of total land area (FAO, 2006) China and Indonesia, are found in Asia (IPCC, 2001)

• Forests in Asia account over 500m ha, or around 12.5% Forest Fires of land area (FAO, 2006) • Between 1995 and 2005, fires and drainage in Southeast Deforestation Asia released around 1400m tones of CO2 per year (Hooijer et al. 2006) • Approximately 80% of the forest that originally covered the earth have been cleared or otherwise degraded • The 1997-98 fires in Borneo, Indonesia, are estimated to (FAO, 2006) have reduced the orangutan population by one-third and resulted in half of the global CO2 annual growth • Between 2000 and 2005, deforestation occurred globally (Herawati et al. 2006) at a rate of 13m ha per year (FAO, 2006) Biodiversity • South and SE Asia’s deforestation rate has increased from just under 2,600m ha per year between 1990 and • Forest provided habitat for around two-thirds of all spe- 2000, to over 2,850m ha per year currently (FAO, 2006) cies on earth. Deforestation of tropical rainforests ac- counts for the loss of as many as 100 species per day • An analysis of deforestation patterns in 152 countries (FAO, 2008) suggests deforestation is due to three dominant causes: agriculture expansion, wood extraction and infrastructure Livelihoods & Economy extension (Geiist & Lambin, 2002) • More than half a billion people living in extreme poverty Carbon depend on forest for their livelihood (World Bank, 2008)

• An estimated 1.7 billion tons of carbon is released annu- • The forest product industry is a major source of economic ally due to land use change, primarily tropical deforesta- growth and employment, with global forest products tion (IPCC, 2001) traded internationally in the order of $US270 billion, of which developing countries account for 20% (World • This represents 20%-25% of current global carbon emis- Bank, 2008) sions, which is more than that generated by the global Source: Center for International Forest Research DENR-NCR Regional WPP ...

(Continued from page 2) DENR-NCR regional executive director Cora Davis In the possible revision of the said plan, the PWPA said the plan is not meant to regulate operations of WPP, and PLMA made the following recommendations: but it is but a body of good intentions and guidelines meant to help wood processors to be competitive. She said it is a • The plan should not regulate but to make NCR wood business decision on how to run a WPP. processors competitive; The recommendations of PWPA and PLMA will be • The plan should consider the rationalization plans of the considered in the finalization of the NCR WPP rationaliza- other regions in the country; tion plan, she said. • The plan should include research and development so PWPA and PLMA expressed their gratitude to DENR- that value adding wood products can be developed; NCR for inviting them in the review process of the plan as • Other wood processing plants such as kiln drying and they hoped other regions will also do the same. furniture should be registered with the DENR; and PWPA was headed by director Ramon Uy and PLMA • The capacity utilization and wood recovery efficiency of by director Aquino Lee. With them were former PWPA the plant should not be regulated for they are dependent director and PLMA director Felix Sy, PWPA executive on the condition of the raw materials, the value-chain of director Leonardo Angeles and forestry & environment wood processing and market for wood products. coordinator Maila Vasquez.

Page 10 WoodStock Miscellany Scenes from the Earth Day Pontifical Mass

Inside the House of God (Manila Cathedral). Upper photo (l‐r) PWPA director Aristeo Puyat, president Fernando Lu and chair Antonio Olizon await the holding of the mass; Chair Olizon (center) having a light conversation with Mother Earth’s Odette Alcantara (left) and DOE secretary Angelo Reyes (right); DENR secretary Jose Atienza, Jr. with some members of the youth. Lower photo (l‐r) His Eminence Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales, the Pontifical Mass celebrant; the entry of the celebrant and co‐celebrants; PWPA president Lu (center) with director Puyat (right) and Sirawai’s Rudy Cabuay (left) with director Alex Ong seated at the back. Other Scenes

Inside the House Of S&T (DOST). (l‐r) Department of Science and Technology secretary Dr. Estrella Alabastro inducting into office, as members of the Governing Council (GC) of the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Natural Resources Research Development (PCARRD), agriculture consultant Dr. Feliciano Calora and PWPA executive director L. D. Angeles as PCARRD executive director Dr. Patricio Faylon witnesses them. Through PCARRD’s recommendation, Calora and Ange‐ Upper photo: Small group discussion during the Asia‐Pacific Forestry les were recently re‐appointed by President Gloria Macapagal Week in Hanoi, Vietnam. Lower photo: Courtesy call with Brgy. Captain Cresencio Ramiro of Brgy. Mabayo, Morong, Bataan during the field‐ ‐Arroyo as GC members representing the private sector in based investigation of proposed PWPA IFMA. agriculture and natural resources, respectively.

Page 11 WoodStock Calendar of Events

02 March 2008 10 April 2008 Green Army Foundation Meeting re: Earth Hour 315th PCARRD Governing Council PNOC Bldg., DOE, Taguig PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna 04 March 2008 11 April 2008 PPSQF Board Meeting EDNPI Meeting re: Earth Day 2008 Celebration DTI Bldg., Makati City Blue Ridge, Quezon City 12 March 2008 14 April 2008 PWPA Board Meeting Joint TWG Meeting on SFM Bill PWPA Board Room, Makati City Senate of the Philippines, Pasay City 31 March 2008 22 April 2008 Field-based Investigation of Proposed PWPA IFMA Earth Day 2008 Pontifical Mass Morong, Bataan Manila Cathedral, Intramuros, Manila 02 April 2008 24 April 2008 TWG Review of SFM Bill PPSQF Board Meeting House of Rep., Batasan Complex, Quezon City DTI Bldg., Makati City 03 April 2008 25 April 2008 Review & Evaluation of PCARRD-GIA Funded Program ITP 98th Foundation Anniversary & Homecoming of UPLBCFNR PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna Los Baños, Laguna 09 April 2008 30 April 2008 PWPA Board Meeting DENR-NCR Wood Processing Rationalization Plan Review PWPA Board Room, Makati City DENR-NCR, Quezon City The Philippine Wood Producers Association 3/F LTA Condominium Building Stamp 118 Perea Street, Legaspi Village, Makati City 1229

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