DENR-FMB Holds Seminar-Workshop on The Forestry Investment Road Map (FIRM)
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Forest Management Bureau (FMB) held the National Consultation Seminar-Workshop on the Forestry Investment Road Map (FIRM) last November 29, 2016 at the Sulo Riviera Hotel in Quezon City.
The seminar-workshop began with DENR- FMB Assistant Director Mayumi Quintos-Natividad welcoming and thanking the participants who attended the event stressing that stakeholders’ opinions and inputs are important in drafting an effective road map for the industry. She added that the government hopes that the forestry industry would be restored to what it was before, encouraging all participants to share their inputs and experiences to have a fruitful and productive seminar-workshop.
Forester Jesus Javier, FMB Forest Investment Development Division Chief, presented the rationale of the seminar workshop which are to present and discuss the proposed FIRM and request the stakeholders’ feedback, inputs and recommendations which will be used to improve the draft FIRM.
Forester Len Bugayong then presented the highlights of the draft road map.
Afterwards, an open forum took place where representatives of various stakeholders – government agencies; banking institutions; the private sector, which included the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) and other businesses – provided their inputs through their opinions, issues and concerns, and recommendations.
Forester Luminada Rotol presented the way forward of program and informed the participants they hoped to finalize the road map in 2017 and will be implemented until 2028.
DENR Undersecretary Marlo Mendoza, who was not able to attend the opening program, nevertheless gave his message during the closing program.
He said a road map is very important and is long overdue, especially as they had already been talking about it during his tenure as the FMB Director. He talked about how both natural and plantation forest covers are going down, and wondered why investors are not encouraged enough to invest in forest development.
He then called upon the private sector, as their help and investments are much needed in the production zone, especially when it comes to plantation development. He also mentioned that the government should try harder in promoting such investments. As of the moment, the government has delegated the signing authority, and is currently searching for other ways to solve issues such as the duration of tenure and production sharing, among others.
Mendoza then insinuated that the government must try to come up with the right package for the private sector as the Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) cannot meet the wood target and requirement of the country. According to him, a portfolio approach investment is one as this will reduce transaction cost. Furthermore, proper zoning should also be considered.
He then ended his speech by thanking everyone who attended the seminar-workshop and for giving their insights, which will help them out in creating a better road map for the forestry industry.