The Philippines government is drafting a new forestry policy to address concerns about the effects of its log ban on the timber sector.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is to compile existing forestry policies with the aim of producing a single improved policy.
Forest boundary demarcation will be undertaken to help solve difficulties in land titling, land use planning and forest land protection. An estimated 76,291km will be demarcated during the next two years.
The government believes identifying areas for industrial tree plantations is important to meet future wood demand. The DENR has identified 684,000ha in the Caraga region for development into timber corridors.
Meanwhile, DENR secretary Michael Defensor has announced that a timber co-ordinating council and board will be formed to use and develop the country’s wood resources.
