The Workers in Wood Furniture Industry of Isabela
The Workers in Wood Furniture Industry of Isabela
A Sector Profile
MELODY E. LIM
I. Introduction The wood furniture processing industry is by far the most prevalent manufacturing activity in Region 02 in terms of number of firms operating. This is explained by the fact that the region is one of the few regions in the country with the biggest forest area consisting of 1.72 million hectares, 91.27% of which are classified as public forest.
From the seventies up to the eighties, commercial logging operation was at its peak which in turn fast tracked the denudation of the forest resources and subsequently resulted to the banning of commercial logging in the region as a whole. Logically, as a result of this, big-time wood processing plants particularly sawmill and plywood plants also closed – shop. What was left of the wood processing industry were the small-time furniture manufacturing plants scattered all over the region.
The subsequent government actions from selective to total ban greatly affected the development of the industry. In 1997-1998, the effect of this posture was most evident as not only was there a sharp decrease in the number of firms setting up but also, there was virtual stagnation and even shops closing. That situation persisted and still continues to persist until the present time. On the mean end of everything, what were significantly affected of this downward scenario are the wood workers whose means of living wholly depends on the wood industry. As of 2000, DTI-R02 reported that 2,703 household families in the region sourced their income from the wood furniture industry.
Despite all these developments, the Regional Development Council (RDC II) and DTI for that matter continue to pin its hopes on the wood furniture industry for much needed industrial output and job generation in the region because of the belief that this industry has a strong comparative advantage in terms of the region’s
A Sector Profile
MELODY E. LIM
I. Introduction The wood furniture processing industry is by far the most prevalent manufacturing activity in Region 02 in terms of number of firms operating. This is explained by the fact that the region is one of the few regions in the country with the biggest forest area consisting of 1.72 million hectares, 91.27% of which are classified as public forest.
From the seventies up to the eighties, commercial logging operation was at its peak which in turn fast tracked the denudation of the forest resources and subsequently resulted to the banning of commercial logging in the region as a whole. Logically, as a result of this, big-time wood processing plants particularly sawmill and plywood plants also closed – shop. What was left of the wood processing industry were the small-time furniture manufacturing plants scattered all over the region.
The subsequent government actions from selective to total ban greatly affected the development of the industry. In 1997-1998, the effect of this posture was most evident as not only was there a sharp decrease in the number of firms setting up but also, there was virtual stagnation and even shops closing. That situation persisted and still continues to persist until the present time. On the mean end of everything, what were significantly affected of this downward scenario are the wood workers whose means of living wholly depends on the wood industry. As of 2000, DTI-R02 reported that 2,703 household families in the region sourced their income from the wood furniture industry.
Despite all these developments, the Regional Development Council (RDC II) and DTI for that matter continue to pin its hopes on the wood furniture industry for much needed industrial output and job generation in the region because of the belief that this industry has a strong comparative advantage in terms of the region’s
References: ▪ Philippine Furniture. 2007 State of the Sector Report. Bureau of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise Development. Department of Trade and Industry. 2008 ▪ Provincial Profile of Isabela ▪ Wood Furniture Industry Cluster Program, Region 02. Economic Development Council. Department of Trade and Industry-R02. 2000. ▪ Accomplishment Report. Municipality of Ilagan, Isabela. 2008 |Population |1,287,485 |