Zoom Virtual Meeting — The Society of Filipino Foresters, Inc. (SFFI) Officers and Advisers met with Representatives of the Foundation for Economic Freedom (FEF) for advocacy support on the passage of the SFM Bill recently approved by the House of Representatives as House Bill No. 8179 (Sustainable Forest Management Act).
“The SFFI welcomes FEF support on the passage of the SFM Bill noting of its experience and network. Said Bill has been pending for more than three decades, having already undergone several changes” explained Forester Tommy T. Valdez.
The SFFI presented the facts regarding the SFM Bill and informed the FEF participants that the Bill aims to optimize forest land and natural resource assets especially with the on-going economic recovery initiative of the Government.
“The SFM Bill must assume that funding and investments will be coming from the private sector given that Government funds are currently committed to adhering to the COVID-19 requirements” recommended FEF President, Mr. Calixto Chikiamco. “But for this to happen, the Government must stabilize policies regarding forestry investments initially through the SFM Bill” he clarified.
“A forestry cadaster or registry must be created in order for private investors to come in. This register must provide basic information on the tenure holder/assignee of forest lands along with the size and resources found” added Atty. Erwin Tiamson of FEF. The DENR is yet to come up with the said registry despite the awarding of 12 types of tenurial instruments including the IFMA (Industrial Forest Management Agreement), CBFMA (Community-based Forest Management Agreement), and FLAgT (Forest Land Use Agreement for Tourism Purposes).
“I agree with the recommendation of FEF regarding private sector investment and the creation of a forestry registry because this will enable both parties — the tenure holder and the investor, together with the Government, to address investment concerns,” commented Dr. Ernie Guiang, International Forestry Consultant and SFFI Senior Adviser.
Forester Valdez, after other comments and clarifications, acknowledged the FEF comments and committed to providing them a copy of the Bill incorporating the recommended revisions.
Mr. Chikiamco, on the FEFs end, also committed to help seek support from other business organizations for the passage of the Bill.
— SFFI/Advocacy Towards the Passage of the SFM Bill – Phase 2_02 March 2021
