Local wood producers urge BOC to curb smuggling

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is appealing to the Bureau of Customs to help the local industry in its fight against smugglers of plywood from China.

In a briefing yesterday, PWPA officials said the influx of imported China-made plywood is hurting the industry and threatens to kill at least 30,000 jobs.

PWPA Deputy Executive Director Maila Vasquez said imported plywood from China is released from the Bureau of Customs premises as “underdeclared, misdeclared or as outright smuggled goods.”

This, in turn, floods the domestic market and eats up at least a 25 percent share.

Vasquez said there are roughly 160 containers of China-made plywood that enter the Philippines every month following the issuance of an Executive Order in February which declared a moratorium on harvesting trees in natural or residual forests.

Following the issuance of the EO, prices of wood products in the local market have steadily increased by 25 percent to 30 percent due to lack of supply while prices of wood products in the world market also rose by 60 percent.

Vasquez said that with over 30 plywood mills in the Philippines that directly employ over 30,000 workers, the influx of China-made plywood poses huge danger to the industry.

“Based on trade statistics, for every container of China-made plywood brought in, there are 16 local workers that lose their jobs. Beyond the business, the local work force’s welfare is now a true cause of concern,” she said.

Vasquez also pointed out the danger posed by the plywood to the safety and health of consumers.

She explained that the imported wood have external veneers and are not sanded. Furthermore, the glue used in these plywood has a “high level of formaldehyde emissions that are a hazard to consumers and builders as well as construction workers.”