With the country now bracing for a second typhoon this week, a party-list lawmaker has called for change in the way our forests are being managed in order to build a “green shield” that will help protect Filipinos against natural disasters.
According to Solid North Party-list Rep. Ching Bernos, “forests act as a green shield against the intensified effects of weather events due to the climate crisis.”
“If we are to secure our generation and those that will come after us, we need to prioritize protecting and properly managing our forests, with the view towards increasing forest cover rather than diminishing them further.”
House Bill No. 3113 or the Sustainable Forest Management bill, filed by Bernos, lays out various measures for the responsible use and protection of the country’s forests.
“Kinikilala natin ang halaga ng ating mga kagubatan sa industriya at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan.”
This includes the establishment of a Sustainable Forest Development Fund to be utilized as concessional financing for forest development projects to be administered by a government financing institution as a trust account. Disbursements from the fund be allowed solely for the protection, maintenance, development of the forest area.
The managing GFI, together with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, shall invest at most 75 percent of the net interest income from loans to forest development-support facilities including road networks, seedling nurseries, water supply systems, and research facilities subject to recommendation by the Forest Management Bureau.
The SFDF may also be augmented by grants, donations, payment for ecosystem services, and endowment from various sources local and international sources.
At least seventy percent of forest charges and government share collected, including proceeds from the sale of confiscated forest resources, machinery, equipment, and tools, fines, and penalties shall also be set aside for the SFDF.
Under the bill, the DENR-FMB would also be reconstituted as a line bureau responsible for the administration, sustainable management, development, and conservation of forest lands and forest resources of the country.
“We see the reconstitution of the FMB as a crucial aspect of this measure. Rather than simply providing technical guidance, the FMB should lead in implementing policies and programs concerning our forests,” Bernos said.
The lawmaker also said that her bill would provide the framework for the balanced use of the country’s forest resources, balancing economic, social, and ecological interests.
“Kinikilala natin ang halaga ng ating mga kagubatan sa industriya at kabuhayan ng ating mga kababayan. Ngunit kailangan din nating gawing prayoridad ang pag-preserba at pagpapalago ng mga ito, na para rin naman sa kapakanan nating lahat.”
