Furniture exporters seek measure vs. illegal lumber

Furniture exporters urged the government to set up a certification system as a measure against illegal lumber, the Chamber of Furniture Industries of the Philippines (CFIP) said in a statement.

The CFIP said creating a system to protect timber is important so ASEAN-based furniture exporters could continue serving consumer markets in the European Union, the United States and Australia that "have developed policies to keep illegal timber from entering their markets."

"CFIP has been asking the Department of Environment and Natural Resources to issue a document certifying that the timber the sector uses such as mahogany, gemelina, acacia mangium and falcate are not species indigenous to the Philippines and are found only in plantations," the group said.

The CFIP made the recommendation at the ASEAN region exporters meeting last April 24.

According to CFIP, the certification will provide assurance to foreign markets that timber used in furniture is not in violation of any local and international laws regarding protected species and areas.

CFIP is also asking the government to create a timber tracking system to discourage cutting of trees in natural forest areas, as well as pass the Sustainable Forest Management bill or Senate Bill 1353, which includes provisions for timber tracking and creating a chain of custody of lumber.

Last January 1, CFIP said it is expecting a 3 percent to 5 percent exports growth in 2013.

Woodcrafts and furniture exports grew 26.6 percent in 2012 to $2.339 billion from $1.847 billion.

For the first quarter of this year, woodcrafts and furniture exports grew 48.08 percent to $749.25 million from $505.97 million. — Amanda Fernandez/BM, GMA News