Focusing on logging

I will be away for a couple of weeks for my annual sabbatical leave. My commentaries on issues of the day will resume on the 24th of May. My television programs on IBC-13, in the meantime, continue with their airings. Please watch them.

On TV: Our Population In Crisis

"Isyung Kalakalan at iba pa" on IBC News (4:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., Monday to Friday) ends today a discussion of population management in the country, and the urgency by which government needs to respond. The Philippines is two countries shy of being in the list of the top 10 most populated nations of the world.

Our growth rate has been left unchecked for several decades now and this is manifested by recent figures of high population growth figures. Government seems to be reacting now, but it may be too late. Watch it.

‘Breaking Barriers’ With Tony Olizon

‘Breaking Barriers’ on IBC (11 p.m. every Wednesday) will feature Antonio C. Olizon, president of the Philippine Wood Producers Association, on the 26th of May.

Just like most local industries, the wood sector’s performance is being affected by the government’s budget deficit, the slow entry of new investments and a fragile economy that is under constant threat of political instability and turmoil particularly in southern Philippines.

The industry is also reeling from the onslaught of globalization as more imports make their way into the local market with reduced tariff duties. The failure of the government to provide safety measures to even-up competition and the inability of key government agencies like the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to address critical industry issues hamper the competitiveness of the local wood industry.

And worse, the industry is suffering from negative publicity as calamities such as flooding are attributed to the alleged failure of the industry to conduct sustainable logging practices.

Promises, Promises

The local wood industry is fighting for its survival. Our forest covers remain unprotected as forest services are inutile and without resources to stop its rapid denudation. Amidst all of these trampling on our forest and woodlands, and the travails of those dependent on the survival of the industry, our lawmakers have failed to act beyond making political protestations.

A proposed bill providing for the sustainable management of forest resources has languished in the legislative chamber for more than three years. The loud political statements from politicians expressing concern about the environment and supporting sustainable forest management are just hot air. The much needed policy changes to ensure sustainable development and growth of this vital sector are still in pieces of wood pulp paper gathering dust.

With more promises coming from politicians, let’s discern their track records and discard those who are mere loudmouths.

Join us break barriers with the Antonio Olizon and gain better understanding of the current issues affecting the domestic logging and wood industry. Watch it.

Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 4th Floor, 156 Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at reygamboa@linkedge.biz. If you wish to view the previous columns, you may visit my website at www.bizlinks.linkedge.biz.