With the recent spike in oil products, residents of Eastern Visayas have gone "back to basics" when it comes to their everyday routines.
As prices of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) rose due to the impact of the war in the Middle East, locals are now turning back to charcoal or firewood as their main fuel for cooking.
However, officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) believe this shift could cause a spike in illegal logging and charcoal-making activities that could lead to further deforestation.
Recently, DENR - Region 8 has introduced what it believes is a more environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional charcoal: briquettes made from agricultural waste such as coconut husks, shells, bamboo, and rice hulls.
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 8 Executive Director Arturo Salazar said that the initiative targets communities reliant on traditional charcoal-making. This practice is heavily linked to regional forest degradation.
Salazar noted that using these materials reduces pressure on forests while supporting a circular economy.
The project is currently piloted within the Ulot Watershed Model Forest in Paranas, Samar.
Salazar explained that high LPG costs are fueling an increase in illegal charcoal production as households switch to firewood. He has directed field personnel to intensify forest patrols to prevent unauthorized timber poaching.
“My directive to our field personnel is to intensify our watch in our forest to prevent timber poaching,” Salazar added.
He clarified that charcoal making remains legal only if wood is sourced from designated firewood areas.
Angelito Villanueva, DENR-8 assistant regional director for technical services, said the initiative is part of a PHP 5 million project. The Canadian government provides the funding for this environmental effort.
The project began last year and focuses on local capacity building and the establishment of a nature school along the Ulot Watershed. This concept was inspired by global best practices from the International Model Forest Network.
(With report from PNA)
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