"We know that this decision has far-reaching implications. Having studied the logging issue very carefully, we found out logging operations in three regions is the most viable option," explained Defensor on the exclusion of Regions II and Region XIII or Caraga from the total log ban policy implemented by DENR since December last year.
"After looking at various alternative measures, the best policy on logging we came up with is for limiting logging," said Defensor.
He cited a joint study made by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the DENR’s Forest Management Bureau (FMB) which showed the country’s annual wood requirements can be supplied by 1.5 million to two million hectares of forests.
"We only need responsible mining operations in three regions to provide for our timber needs," said Defensor. DENR was initially considering a total log ban, but this was nixed because the country will depend on wood imports to meet local demand and will further drain the country’s thinning dollar reserves. Currently, about 70 percent of the country’s total annual wood requirements or about three million cubic meters, is already supplied by imported wood worth $560 million.
"With a total log ban, the government will have to cancel all permits and licenses in forestlands, a situation that will require the government to not only compensate for the investments made by the wood industry, at about P10 billion, but also to resettle about 500,000 families in forest zones," stressed Defensor.
Another option that was subsequently thumbed down called for DENR to ban logging in natural forests but allow harvesting in tree plantations. "But like in the first option, the government would still be required to resettle dwellers in natural forests elsewhere, compensate investments by timber companies operating in those areas, and increase government funding for forest protection," he added.
Defensor also pointed out that the DENR budget for forest protection is very limited at P380 million annually or a pittance of P4 per hectare. He said that canceling licenses and permits in natural forests will also open up these areas to illegal settlement and aggravate illegal logging activities.
"To prevent this, the DENR would have to beef up its forest protection efforts, which in turn, will require additional budget by as much as five times the present budget as well as manpower, this is not an option at this point," said Defensor.
The Philippine Wood Producers Association, representing the legitimate wood-based and wood-producing industries, welcomed the partial lifting of the three-month logging ban. Antonio Olizon, president of PWPA said the move averted a crisis in the wood industry and the dissipation of more than P20 billion in investments in upstream and downstream wood-based industries.