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

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
(EU) Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and (FLEGT-VPA). I strongly
recommend The Philippines government to develop a Voluntary Partnership
Agreement (VPA) with EU to fight illegal logging. Lastly, The Philippines
government can use Integrated Forest Land-Use Planning (IFLUP) to manage the
lands so as to safeguard natural resources. The IFLUP is an efficient approach to
regulating land use and preventing conflicts (Maohong, 2012)

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

Akio Xavier Niño B. Ozaraga

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

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

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

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

the permitted felling area)

The conversion of forests into agricultural land reduces the biological

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

soil erosion. Illegal logging can lead directly to deforestation and

deterioration. Illegal logging can therefore cause a range of environmental

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

massive deaths of citizens and loss of livelihoods.

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

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

of pesos each year.

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

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