Prices of plywood and lumber have risen by 30% in the Philippines following the imposition of a total log ban which now covers even the primary forests included under Industrial Forest Management Agreements (IFMAs).
This was revealed by Alfonso C. Keh Jr, executive vice president of the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA), which then urged the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to re-evaluate its stance on the log ban by evaluating current IFMA holders and their performance in sustainable forestry management.
According to Mr Keh, the price of plywood, for instance, has increased to around PHP334 (US$6.4) for the 1/4in board. Just two weeks ago, the price of the same plywood board was at PHP280 (US$6.4).
The increase in prices had been forewarned by the PWPA as an offshoot of the total log ban which now covers even the primary forests included under IFMAs.
