Statistics of
Cut-Down Trees
in the Philippines
Data from FMB show that combined reforestation efforts of both government and private sectors are not enough to abate the rapid deforestation rate of the Philippine forests. Although the national government allocates funds for reforestation, projects have been largely dependent on foreign funding and foreign loans, resulting to foreign debt. Moreover, opportunities for rehabilitation created room for graft and corruption. On September 22, 2010, Senator Franklin Drilon exposed on national television the alleged use of Php 1 billion DENR funds for the May 2010 elections.
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Reforestation efforts also tend to endanger the biodiversity of the forests. According to studies, native species should be used for reforestation. Fast-growing, alien tree species such as mahogany, gmelina, acacia and fire tree are ecologically harmful because they prevent native species to grow with them.
Descrption
Deforestation vs Reforestation
Graph
Centuries of colonial rule, commercial logging, corruption and misguided policies issued by the government brought our forests to the brink of total destruction. Philippine forests covered at least 90% of the country’s total land area during the pre-colonial period. During the Spanish colonization, trees were felled to build roads, bridges, docks and ships for the galleon trade. Forests were replaced by sprawling haciendas owned by Spanish friars, officials and rich families.
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At the start of the American occupation in the 1900s, the Philippines had 21 million ha of old growth forests covering 70% of its land area. Logs were exported mainly to the United States and used to support the mining industry set up by the Americans. By 1940s, only 9 million ha of forest covering 30% of the Philippine’s total land area was left.
Deforestation further worsened during the Marcos dictatorship .The logging industry was monopolized by foreign companies and the local elite, some even holding public offices. Timber Licensing Agreements (TLAs) were given out by the Marcos regime to loyalists. From 1965-1986, the Philippines lost 7 million ha of forests.
Description
