Creative sector fears impact of total log ban directive

MANILA, Philippines - Although the Cebu export sector welcomed the signing and issuance of Executive Order No.23, otherwise known as the ìTotal Log Banî directive, the group expressed apprehensions that the implementing guidelines could affect the industry. 

The creative industries in Cebu, comprising of furniture, gifts, toys, home dÈcor, fashion accessories, which use wood and wooden materials for their export products feared that if the implementing guidelines are ambiguous, the ban could lead to immediate increase in the cost of raw materials due to perceived shortage of supply. 

Moreover, the implementation is also seen to give way to harassment and extortion activities at check points even if the logs are sourced from legitimate sources. 

According to PhilExport-Cebu, the second largest export organization in the Philippines, multi-dimensional interpretations of its provisions add unnecessary layers of bureaucracy to the industry. 

Because of this, Cebuano export sector, which contributes around 10 percent to the nationís total exports revenue, is asking President Benigno S.C. Aquino III to make clear that all existing forestry agreements and contracts, under the ITP (Industrial Tree Plantation) project such as the IFMA (Integrated Forest Management Agreements,) SIFMA (Socialized Integrated Forest Management Agreement), CBFMA (Community-based Forestry Agreement and PFDA (Private Forest Development Agreement) shall continue to be valid and respected. All these are covered under the Mandatory List of the Investment Priorities Plan (IPP) particularly PD No. 705 or the Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines. 

Also, the export sector in Cebu is asking the government to clarify whether or not the moratorium will be applied prospectively to new holders of forestry agreements as retro-active application of the logging ban on any natural or residual forest would result in the termination of many existing forestry agreements and contracts, and holders of these contracts are still guided by old policies. 

ìThey are just about to reap the fruits of the IFMA [a 25-year agreement], which may not happen if EO 23 is not implemented appropriately,î PhilExport-Cebu said. 

Moreover, the group is also requesting the Aquino government to specify clearly land classification such as the standard and natural or residual forest since EO 23 provides that forestry agreements shall be cancelled if permit holders engage in logging activities in any natural or residual forest or abet the commission of the same, although previous policies allow the harvesting in residual forests covered by forestry agreements if these forests are not located in protected areas, watershed reservations or areas above 1,000 meters above sea level and slopes above 50 percent. 

On the other hand, the Cebu export group lauded the leadership of Aquino which shows seriousness in fighting illegal logging and putting a stop at the wanton destruction and denudation of the countryís forest resources. 

The E.O. No. 23 entitled ìDeclaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task forceî was issued in the light of widespread flooding and landslides in Mindanao, Eastern Visayas and Bicol where scores of inhabitants either died or were displaced. 

Exporters belonging to the ìcreative industriesî of Cebu, who are all slowly recovering from the dire effects of the 2-year global recession, are strongly appealing to President Aquino and to DENR Secretary Ramon Paje, DILG Secretary Jesse Robredo and other concerned agencies to help the task force in implementing the log ban to be cognizant and appreciative of sectorís concerns.ó Ehda M. Dagooc