Editorials
Media
Part of Forestry Leaves
- Title
- Editorials
- Language
- English
- Year
- 1950
- Rights
-
- Fulltext
- THE PROBLEM OF THE SECOND CUT IN TIMBER CONCESSIONS Recent observations seem to indicate that unless timely action is taken there may be no second growth commercial timber in concessions of the present lumber companies after the virgin, accessible timber therein has been cut. If this condition should develop, companies now in operation will have to close, because it will be unprofitable for them to continue operations on non-commercial stands. A company can not afford to wait, doing nothing, for say, 10 to 20 :r.pfu-s, while a second growth stand becomes mature, provided that it will mature eventually and become commercially exploitable. The factors tending to point to this outcome area: (1) extensive logged-off areas are opened to agriculture, either roving or permanent; (2) an inadequate and uneven stocking of the remaining logged-over areas, and (3) lack of protection for the young stand which may develop. The problem is of far-reaching economic and social importance when one members that the lumber industry in specific areas, is the major industry on which other industries are dependent. These industries support thriving communities. Hence, when the lumber companies close, the economy of the region will be disrupted, or strangulated. To avert such a possibility calls for a prompt and energetic action along the following measures: (1) Adoption of changes in determining the allowable cut as suggested by Forester Lalog at the Foresters' Conference in connection with the Golden Jubilee and Silver Anniversary of the Bureau of :forestry and the College of Fores' try, respectively; (2) adoption of reasonab~e regulations covering the processes .Qf timber extraction, especially where power logging is employed, s~ as to secure as much as possible a successful and even stocking of the logged-areas; (3) supplementation of natural regeneration by artificial planting where needed. We need not wait for complete growth data and results of further in~ vestigation before starting a systematic management of the concessions; moreover, if we (Continued on page 38) 1-:=============================-=-=-==·-=-=-=--==-====================================j, Page- 48 The Staff of the FORESTRY LEAVES Organ of the Student Body and Alumni of the College of Forestry, U.P. Associate Editors MARTIN REYES CONSTANCIO REYES FAUSTINO FRANCIA BENJAMIN ALMONTI! JULIAN MEIMBAN JR. Contributing Editors NICOLAS P. LANSIGAN JUAN DAPROZA FELIX 0. CHINTE BENJAMIN BLANDO Advertising Manager College, Laguna, Philippines · 1950-Sl EDGARDO MABESA Managing Editor AMANDO DIASANTA Art Editor CoRNl!LIO LucsoN Business Manager ALFONSO TIAM Asst. Bus. lt(anager PROF. JOSE B. BLANDO Adviser Board of Management EULOGIO T AGUDAR VIRGILIO FABIAN BERNARDO AGALOOS CIRILO SERNA URBANO GUERRERO Circulation Dept. FRANCIS MABANAG CELSO VERSOZA JOSE MENIADO TEIJJH.O SANTOS .4d'l•. Assistant FORESTRY LEAVES FOREST LAWS ... (Continued from page 8) lands. The evil effects of this practice is the gradual disappearance of our vast commercial forests t.:> the detriment of public interests. In order to eradicate the kaiiigin evil, His Excellency, the late President Quezon strongly recommended the enactment of Commonwealth Act No. 447 which provides heavier penalties for illegal forest destruction and illegal entry and occupation of .:>Ur public forests, the penalty being imprisonment ranging from one to six months, eviction of the offender from the land and forfeiture of whatever improvements made thereon. However, only thru mutual. understanding and cooperation shall we be able to accomplish our policy of forest conservation, that is, individual interest and c.:>llective interests should team together towards this end. It is gratifying to note that at present we have adequate F.:>rest Laws for the conservation of our natural resources. It is, however, regretted that at present there is lack of sufficient technically trained foresters and funds to carry out effectively the enforcement of our existing Forest Laws. The Government should, therefore, encourage desir~ble men t.:> take up the forestry profession and to provide for tile graduates reasonable, stable and remunerative positions. ~ - The problem of forest conservation 'is a nati.:>nal problem. Our country is aware of the unending benefits derived from forest conservation and the irreparable injury to our economic and social welfare if we should be negligent in our duty as trustees for this valuable portion of our national inheritance. It is our prime duty to transmit to our posterity not- only our heritage of liberty but also the material resources which are essential to give life and permanence to that liberty. Conservation is the prevention of waste or destruction or in other words, the wise use .:>f our resources. In this connection, there is quoted below excerpts from a speech of His Excellency, the Page 3·s late President Quezon, for the guidance of the public. "You can· show true patriotism and 1.:>ve of country by conserving and utilizing wisely our forest resources. I repeat, do not cut and burn trees; otherwise, you deprive our country of the income from farest charges which income means schools for your children and their children's children. We have no right to deprive them of their inherent share of the patrimony of our country-.:>ur fo-1 rests". In conclusion, I wish to emphasize that in order to succeed in all our public undertakings, our slogan should be "One for all and all for the service of the pe.:>ple." THE PROBLEM OF . . . (Continued from page 48) wait too long, it will be too late. At the rate data for complete working plans are being worked out, it will take years before they can be completed. However, with the application of data on hand the above measure& could be undertaken, and such modifications made as experience indicates to be desirable. It is ~ the tackling of problems of this type that the special training of the forester51 may be made use of. Even the use of trained foresters will not be enough to ensure success unless there is also a thorough and sustained cooperation among the foresters, the lumber companies and the Government. -MRR ERRATA Page 48 l. 16---"area" should read "are'. L. 23 "members should read "remembers." April issue 1950, p. 41-title of article should read "A Suggestion for a N ceded Complementary Measure to Our Forest Protec;:tion Laws." I FORESTRY LEAVES'