ANGARA URGES STRONGER FOREST MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Senator Edgardo J. Angara who urged for the passage of the Tree Legacy Bill to address what he described as an "alarming levels of destruction of Philippine forests."

Under SB 913, Angara proposes for the creation of a Forest Management Program to put a halt to the rapid deterioration of the country's forests. According to Haribon Foundation, our forests have reached the threshold of sustainability. In the 1990's, forest cover in the Philippines was estimated at 21 million hectares. A decade later, it was further reduced to 800,000 ha. The year 2010 is projected that forest cover will be reduced to an upsetting a measly 266,666 ha.

Angara stressed that the destruction of these forests has had disastrous effects on the country's rich biodiversity, with many endemic species pushed to extinction. "This is the primary reason the Philippines is ranked as having the most severely endangered faunas in the world. We are blessed with such resources but we are always challenged by disasters, natural and even man made disasters that is gravely damaging and exploiting our environment."

The DENR designates 38 areas nationwide as prone to frequent landslides and flooding that are located in the heavily denuded forest areas in the country.

"Limited forest cover affects not only our environment but our economy as a whole; but also the people from the provinces, their livelihood and lives. A damaged environment causes a domino-effect of disasters," warned Angara, former Agriculture Secretary.

He added there is a need for a program to ensure equitable access, sharing of rights to natural resources, development, management, protection and utilization. "It is the role of the government to provide opportunities where the people can participate actively in forest resource development," he reminded.

The Tree Legacy Act promotes a community-based approach in attaining sustainable forest management. It encourages tree planting development from both private and public lands, which is also very important in integrated watershed management.

"Every Filipino deserves a balanced and healthy ecology, as guaranteed by our Constitution, to provide them the quality of life they deserve," concluded Angara.