Ifugao woodcarvers exempted from log ban

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Ifugao woodcarvers heaved a sigh of relief following the government's decision to exempt them from the total log ban.

In a memorandum dated January 9, 2013,  through Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., President Benigno Aquino III approved the request of Hungduan Woodworks & Handicrafts Cooperative and the Philippine - Ifugao Woodcarvers & Wood-based Industries Development Association to cut trees and transport wood products. The memorandum directed the two Ifugao wood-carver organizations to strictly comply with rules and guidelines regarding their exemption.

“The tree-cutting applications of these organizations are approved, subject to strict compliance with DENR guidelines, EO No. 23 and the Memorandum of the Executive Secretary dated 20 October 2011,” Ochoa said in the memorandum.

Aquino signed in 2011 EO No. 23 declaring a moratorium on the cutting and harvesting of timber in the natural and residual forests and creating the anti-illegal logging task force.

Ifugao woodcarvers earlier sought  the help of Rep. Teodoro Baguilat Jr. to ask  the government for an exemption from the total log ban as  wood carving is their source of income.

Ifugao Gov. Eugene Balitang said woodworkers  should comply with the rules relating to their exemption.

“(With) the trust and confidence that the national government (has given us), let us honor our part of the bargain, that is, preserving and conserving our 'muyung' (forest)," Balitang said.

The muyong system,  an essential part of the Ifugao culture, promotes selective cutting of trees and planting trees for every tree that is cut.