The Effects of Illegal-Logging to the Natural Ecosystem of Diboloc, Misamis Occidental

by

Akio Xavier Niño B. Ozaraga

Introduction

Illegal logging is a major event around the world that continues to damage

the natural habitats and ecosystems that were originally designed to harvest the

resources society needs. The world is getting warmer due to the effects of

unregulated logging. In the Philippines in particular, it has been shown that a large

part of the forest laws is not followed, although there are appropriate guidelines.

According to a study by Global Forest Watch from 2002 to 2020, the Philippines

lost 151 Kha of wet primary trees, which means we are losing 151 hectares of trees

each year. When temperature and soil conditions are influenced by logging, it

becomes clear that more carbon emissions are generated worldwide (Pearson et

al. 2017). How much does it get worse if you don't regulate and supervise it? In

most parts of the tropics, tropical forests emit more carbon than they can absorb,

logging is illegal and unsustainable, and illegal logging can be defined as any
logging or related activity that violates the law. So what is illegal logging? This is

logging without a permit and unrestricted misuse of logging permits (felling more

than the permitted volume, felling below the permitted diameter, and felling from

the permitted felling area)

The conversion of forests into agricultural land reduces the biological

properties of the soil and the forest cover and thus increases carbon emissions

(Kishor and Lescuyer 2012). This phenomenon is also associated with the loss of

ecosystem services, which have a significant negative impact on biochemical

recycling and plant growth (Gan et al. 2016; Gibson et al. 2011). Corruption in the

timber sector can be divided into two categories: conspiracy and non-conspiracy.

Corruption without conspiracy occurs when bribery is required for a lawful activity

(obtaining a license to use it); it increases the cost of the private company or

individual (Arias et al. 2013). Conspiracy corruption is bribes paid to government

officials for failing to pay the fines associated with violating regulations. This bribe

does not go to the state treasury, but is used for personal benefit; both parties

benefit from conspiracy corruption. The deforestation and transportation of timber

within national areas between Congo Basin countries by small or artisanal

loggers is often done through conspiracy (Pearson et al. 2017b). Corruption

has been reported at all stages of logging in the Congo Basin and in Asian timber-

producing countries. However, the prevalence is higher in the countries of the

Congo Basin. Government officials are bribed to tender for logging permits, forest

managers are bribed at harvest to overlook logging non-compliance, transportation

documents are strengthened during transportation, and road administrators are

paid to be overlooked; During the sale, inspectors are bribed to monitor the sale of

illegal timber or protected species (Lawson 2014). There is empirical evidence

from 117 countries between 1990 and 2000 that shows that countries with a higher

corruption rate face higher deforestation (Cerutti et al. 2013).

In the Philippines, poor management is the main contributor to illegal

logging. Illegal logging promotes corruption in the forest areas through a lot

of illegal income for officials. Illegal logging has two major economic

consequences in the Philippines. On the one hand, those who engage

in illegal logging can earn significant incomes. For example, an experienced

chainsaw operator can make around 400 pesos a day (Pamintuan, 2011). In the

Northern Sierra Madre Nature Park (NSMNP), these employees receive benefits

from logging to cover their children's school fees as well as alcohol and tobacco.

However, few people can benefit from the positive effects of illegal logging.

Farmers, on the other hand, are losing profits from truck-damaged farm-to-market

roads. Fishermen also complain of the decline in fish quality and quantity due to

soil erosion. Illegal logging can lead directly to deforestation and

deterioration. Illegal logging can therefore cause a range of environmental

problems, including natural disasters, habitat loss, carbon pollution

reduction and water quality deterioration.

According to the data, there are approximate 6,000 local plant species and

600 endemic animal species in The Philippines. Over 150 animal species are

threatened among these rare animals. Illegal loggers have invaded the nation's

“largest great forest” in The Philippines with valued plants, trees species, and

animals. These illicit activities reduced the amount of these species, and have

especially endangered The Philippine eagle and The Philippine crocodile, on

account of the habitat loss

Illegal logging degrades the forest ecosystem in The Philippines, which

damages the protective function of the forests. The deterioration of forests triggers

landslides and flooding after a heavy monsoon rain. These natural disasters lead to

massive deaths of citizens and loss of livelihoods.

More than 27 floods and 17 landslides occurred each year in the first decade

of the 21st century, as recorded by the Citizens’ Disaster Response Center.

Statistics show over 1.6 million people and 24,212 individuals every year are

affected by floods and landslides respectively during this period. Moreover, the

damage to agricultural land and infrastructure generates a loss of tens of millions

of pesos each year.

 Conclusion

Illegal-logging has its advantages especially in a government where poverty

is so rampant but in accordance to our analysis of the meta data, the primary
drivers of illegal logging is actually rural poverty and corruption. This further
elucidates the claim that regulations are not the key issues we are facing in the
fight against illegal-logging but poor economic conditions and lack of supervision
towards a more structured management of the safeguard of natural resources. Our
paper suggests that the provincial government should focus on alleviating rural
poverty; there are two approaches. The provincial government could assist local
people to develop eco-tourism. Moreover, The Philippines government can provide
rural residents with secure forestry tenure to establish Community Based Forest
Management (CBFM). Meanwhile, work should continue in collaboration with
local communities to build sustainable forest management. Anti-corruption is
necessary for combating illegal logging. The establishment of the anti-corruption
supervisory committee should involve members who are from varying classes,
including rural individuals, government officials as well as NGO members. This
supervisory committee should have the authority to report to the judiciary directly
to combat corruption. The Philippines is not a partner with the European Union
Forest Law Enforcement, the Governance and Voluntary Partnership Agreement
(FLEGT-VPA). I strongly recommend the Philippine government to work with the
EU on a Voluntary Partnership Agreement (EPS) to combat illegal logging.
Finally, the Philippine government can use Integrated Forest Use Planning
(IFLUP) to manage the land to protect natural resources. IFLUP is an effective
approach to land use regulation and conflict prevention (Maohong, 2012)
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