Legislative networking meetings with SFFI Regional Councils
A total of seven (7) SFM Bill roll-out activities were conducted by the SFFI (1) Puerto Princesa City, Palawan (MIMAROPA Region) on August 04,, 2018; (2) Legazpi City, Albay (Bicol Region) on February 22, 2019; (3) Iloilo City, Iloilo (Western Visayas Region) on May 31, 2019; (4) San Fernando City, Pampanga (Central Luzon Region) on July 30, 2019; (5) City of San Fernando, La Union (Ilocos Region) on August 14, 2019; (6) Davao City, Davao (Davao Region) on August 30, 2019 ; and (7) Quezon City, Metro Manila (National Capital Region) on September 30, 2019.
Briefing on the SFM Bill were likewise conducted with the Office of Senator Juan Edgardo “Sonny” Manalang Angara on November 28, 2018 and the Office of Senator Aquilino Martin “Koko” de la Llana Pimentel III on July 19, 2019. In both briefings, the SFFI National Council President Tommy T. Valdez presented the SFM Bill (thru powerpoint presentation) and highlighted the concept and benefits of the Bill.
The Legislative Officer of Senator Angara, Atty. Bernard Jose Patalinghug, inquired if the Bill was already sponsored by any Senator. The SFFI mentioned that the Bill has already passed the second reading during the Senate’s 14th Congress was stalled due to the resignation of its sponsors, Senator Miguel Zubiri. Succeeding attempts were futile reportedly because of disagreements between the DENR and some NGOs. He also inquired if the Bill, with its perceived benefits for the Filipino people, has already been passed in the Lower House. The SFFI reported that the HOR-CNR has already prioritized the Bill and has assigned the SFFI to lead a Technical Working Group formed together with DENR and other stakeholders. Some other clarifications were made as to the Bill’s potential for addressing forest degradation, upland poverty, etc. All were clarified and to that the Head Legislative Officer committed to support the Bill.
As to the Office of Senator Pimentel, the good Senator including his legal team, received the presentation by Forester Valdez. One of the Senators inquiries is on the deterrent why the Bill has not passed legislation. The SFFI replied that the Bill has almost passed the Senate in the 14th Congress but was stalled. The Senator then clarified that the present school of thought is that cutting trees is bad as it damages the environment. The SFFI explained that cutting of trees is bad only if they are not done properly and not replaced. That cutting mature trees actually liberate younger trees to maturity and that harvested trees provides livelihood and even export to the country. Better harvest actually provides for sustainable livelihood and requires lesser social assistance from the government. In addition, allowing harvests for “planted” trees prevents illegal cutting and encourage forest protection when people are issued with the proper tenurial instrument. The Senator was amazed with the idea and requested his legal team to study the Bill. He then committed support to the Bill and to discuss the same with his fellow Senators. The meeting lasted for more than two hours.