Power from the Forest: The Politics of Logging

by Marites Dañguilan Vitug

Power from the Forest is the story of logging in the Philippines, the story of the exercise of power—who wields it, who benefits from it, and how.
The dangerous intertwine of forests and politics was most glaring under Ferdinand Marcos. In bestowing upon himself the power to grant and revoke logging licenses, Marcos deftly used the forests as a political tool.
The insurgency war had bred new logging interests—the rebels and the military who have made the forests their battleground and their sources of income.
But amid this gloomy foreboding, there are shafts of light. The Indigenous peoples and rural folk who have lived in or around these forests are starting to stir, as well as a growing number of nongovernmental organizations and concerned individuals.
Marites Dañguilan Vitug harnesses her investigative skills to tell us the tragic story of the Philippine forests, the people who continue to plunder them and those who are trying to protect them. Revised and with a foreword by Antonio La Viña, this new edition reminds us that fight for the environment continues.

Published in 2023.

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

223 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Marites Dañguilan Vitug is a highly respected Filipino investigative journalist, author, and the editor-at-large for the news organization Rappler. Her work focuses on Philippine justice, security, and political affairs, particularly issues involving China and the South China Sea.

Reviews

[Ava (jeepneylit) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for those who are interested in the intersection of politics and the environment.

[LC · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was surprisingly easy to read. There's no environmental and investigative journalist in the Philippines at the moment who can write as clearly, as straight to the point, and as engaging as Vitug on this issue. I'd say it's a must-read for anyone who wants to know about the intersections of forests and politics and to understand why any journalist who writes about this same issue receive death threats until today. Sorry to the young ones, but this book is still the best when it comes to reporting on this topic.

[S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Politics of Logging
Best pages
* 58-62, 119-122, 143-145

Key terms
* Contour farming
* Hedgerow, enrichment species
* Timber license agreement
* Dollar salting
* Stumpage
* Logger politicians, or “wood industrialists” from Northern Luzon and Mindanao
* Government initiated NGO (GRINGO)
* Switch road
* Road right of way
* Concessionare displacement
* Sawmill
* Regalia Doctrine (land ownership system from the Spanish Crown)
* Torrens system (1902; American Occupation)
* 1909 US Supreme Court Ruling, Mateo Cariño, Igorot from Benguet
* Public Land Act, amended 1960s

Key locations
* Cagayan
* Quirino
* Ormoc (elite also have hands in sugarcane)
* Agusan del Norte (Higaonon)
* Palawan (Tagbanwa)
* Negros (comparison between sugar industry and Agusan’s timber industry)
* Fort Magsaysay

Wood species
* Narra
* Almaciga (resin; manila copal)
* Ebony
* Ipil
* Kamagong

Key relations
* Retired PH military in Indonesian logging
* Military-logging company-NPA
* Magsaysay: build schools
* Marcos: benefit cronies, bait Muslim insurgents
* Aquino: appease government and military
* Ramos: project sustainable development to public

Key groups
* Marcos: Wood Industry Development Authority (WIDA)
* Aquino: Presidental Commission on Good Government (PCGG)
* Ramos: Philippine Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD)
* National Economic Development Authority (NEDA)
* Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
* Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
* Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG)
* Haribon
* National Democratic Front (NDF)
* Civilian Armed Forces Geographic Unit (CAFGU) paramiltary force
* New People’s Army (NPA)
* Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF)
* American corporation (unnamed; example of neocolonialism)

[Harold · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping read about the abuses by the logging industry and the consequences of poor governance. A once rare book that’s found light once again after being reprinted with some updates. Originally written in 1993, it would’ve been valuable to have more comprehensive updates about the persons and events in the book. Nonetheless, it’s a must read for everyone.

[hapit na madugta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gawin ang mga opisyal ng pamahalaan na pataba sa lupa.