News and Events-Iloilo Hosts SFFI’s 68th Anniversary and National Conference

Iloilo Hosts SFFI’s 68th Anniversary  and National Conference

The 68th Anniversary and National Conference and Seminar of the Society of Filipino Foresters Inc. (SFFI) was held on September 19-21, 2016 at the Iloilo Convention Center in Iloilo City. The theme of the year’s conference was “Embracing Sustainable Forest Management towards Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which aims to provide information to fellow foresters efforts of the country in achieving said goals.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Forester Jonas Leones represented DENR Secretary Gina Lopez who extended her congratulations to the Society. Undersecretary Leones then made a presentation on the efforts being done by the DENR to achieve SDGs.

Topics for the conference was grouped into three modules, namely: 1) SDGs and Policy Advocacies; 2) SDG Implementation Mechanisms; and 3) SDG Opportunities for the Forestry Profession.

The different presentations discussed how sustainable forest management, forest landscape restoration, mining rehabilitation through forestry and the carbon neutral  program could be responsive approaches towards the current state of the forests areas and its role in enhancing the environment thereby contributing to the achievement of the UN-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goals #1 (Ending Poverty), #7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), #12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), #13 (Climate Action), #15 (Sustainable Use of Terrestrial Ecosystems), and #17 (Partnership for the Goals) as country commitment.

PWPA Executive Director Maila Vasquez made a presentation on “Wood: Green Solution to Poverty and Climate Change” as part of the SDG Implementation Mechanisms topic.

The SFFI Iloilo Declaration which provides for the recommendations on how to move forward was crafted based on the different paper presentations and discussions.

During the business meeting, National Council President Tommy Valdez presented the updates on the Laoag declaration and the role of the SFFI in achieving SDGs. Professional Regulatory Commission Professional Regulatory Board for Foresters Chair Neria Andin made an update on the New Forestry Profession Law and the Forester’s Continuing Professional Development. Forester Joey Austria presented the agendum on membership; Forester Manny Escasura on constitutional amendments; Forester Noel Umali on the MOWEL fund; Forester Vasquez the treasurer’s report; and finally, Mr. Oscar Carrasco gave updates on the Hackathon Project.

The program also included forestry games which tested  the foresters’ knowledge on the different subject matters and activities done during their college days.

A tour around Iloilo City and its vicinities marked the end of the event.

The SFFI officers and  members congratulated Region VI Chapter President, Forester Livino Duran, and its members for a successful holding of the event.