- Relationship between humans and wood
- One of the most versatile materials available to man today
- Propelled humanity to greater heights
Wood is undoubtedly one of the most versatile materials available to man today.
It serves many vital functions, from construction to interior design, and it has a direct role in the advancement of human civilization.
Man-made structures made of timber can be traced back as far as 10,000 years during the Stone Age.
But aside from dwelling places, tools and weapons were also fashioned out of wood.
Another important use of wood during the earlier part of human history is for crafting vehicles like canoes and wagons.
The historical evidence of a long and storied relationship between humans and wood is strong and proves that wood has propelled humanity to greater heights.
Today, wood remains a relevant building material, used in almost every facet of construction.
From erecting a solid foundation that ensures structural integrity, to using wooden furniture and decoration to spruce up the home, wood plays a vital role in the lives of every Filipino.
According to the Forest Management Bureau, the country needs six million cubic meters of wood on an annual basis, and though the local wood sector continues to strive toward meeting the local demand, they face many roadblocks.
One of the main problems they face is public perception.
Cutting trees has negative implications perpetuated by the practice of illegal logging, which has led to serious deforestation in many areas around the country.
But the truth is that if done sustainably, cutting down trees can help the environment.
By removing mature trees that run the risk of dying and releasing the carbon it has stored in its body during its lifetime, we can limit the emission of greenhouse gases.
Animals who also call our forests their home can benefit from properly managed forests as it improves their habitat while ensuring that forests remain viable for a longer time.
Another hurdle is the lack of legislation that promotes the welfare of the wood sector.
This is why the Philippine Wood Producers Association (PWPA) is advocating for several bills to be passed including the National Land Use Act, the Forest Limits Act, and the Sustainable Forest Management Act.
“We believe that with the enactment of these proposed laws, we can make the Philippines a global superpower in terms of wood production,” PWPA Chairman Charlie Liu said.
“We are confident that with common sense legislation in place we can bring inclusive development to many places in the country.”
The discussion about what we can do to increase our production of wood while protecting our environment is one of the main topics at the Philippine Wood Expo 2019 at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza this October 21 to 22.
The event, which is organized by the PWPA, promises to be a great opportunity for suppliers and manufacturers of wood products as well as wood enthusiasts to showcase their innovative technologies to attendees coming from various countries.
The Philippine Wood Expo 2019 aims to expand the reach of businesses in the wood sector by providing them with the opportunity to interface with other industry players.
To know more about the vital role of wood, please watch the video on this link: https://www.facebook.com/goforwood/videos/530986730990958/?t=36.
For more information about the Philippine Wood Expo 2019, please visit http://www.pwpa.org.ph/woodexpo/ or call (02) 817-6751 or (02) 817-6885.
