DENR favors scrapping of checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is in favor of scrapping the notorious checkpoints on illegal logs which have become a source of corruption in the forestry industry.

Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Jose L. Atienza yesterday told the participants of the National Forum to Strengthen Policies and Opportunities for Forest Investment in the Philippines that the checkpoint issue is one of many problems that the DENR, Atienza said there is a need to review existing forestry laws. The Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) has been leading calls for the DENR to reexamine its policies and regulations so that more businesses and financing institutions will be encouraged to put in equity and extend credit to potential investors.

According to Atienza, “we continue to follow laws promulgated under Martial Law. What we need now are laws that address the current Philippine situation.”

Director Eriberto C. Argete of the DENR’s Planning and Policy Studies Office said there is a need to do away with a lot of the regulations still governing the Philippine forestry sector.

According to Argete, “we should do away with most of the regulations which were drawn up in the 1970s. Things are different now.”

He said the checkpoints are no longer necessary because most of the species of wood harvested come from industrial tree plantations and are quite distinct from old growth and natural forests.

Tree species used in industrial plantations include soft woods like gmelina arborea, falcata and acacia mangium.

One regulated species that the DENR believes should be delisted and should allow to be propagated in industrial plantations is the hard wood Narra.

According to Argete, Narra is easy to plant although it takes about 20 to 25 years to grow.