Uling (Charcoal)

Figure 01, The Effect of “Uling” Production (sources crafted image; rvgomeseria)

Insight

The article paper has been provided as part of global challenges, opinion, and observation in the country and the use and practices of “Uling” (Charcoal) towards our environmental governance for sustainable ways and building capacity with a political will as well as the quality of good governance that supposed to be.

Thoughts and the Observation of the Process

The article paper is to emphasize the use of “uling” in the country or tackling the process of making “uling,” which is usually and allegedly mostly done by the Indigenous People (IPs) at the upland communities for their foods to eat as well as sustaining their family needs. But in the end, it does not help the environment at all and that causes of damaging the landscape ecosystem that supposed to be a country shield in a landslide prevention. However, the environmental process will contribute to the carbon footprint in our Mother Earth towards the climate change phenomenon in today’s generation.

The practice of “uling” in the country, however, does not help in reinstating the environment but violating the following policies prescribed by the UNDP Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Program Nos 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, 12) Responsible Consumption and Production, 13) Climate Action, 14) Life below Water and the 15) Life on Land requirements, and therefore, that need to be controlled the practice of “uling” and look for other works to achieve the UNDP SDGs policies towards upland sustainable governance.

Figure 02, Kahoy for Sale (credit image; Prof Bugayong UP)

Indeed, that UNDP Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Nos 1) No Poverty, including 2) Zero Hunger, and 3) Good Health and Well-Being as mentioned can’t be achieved by the Barangay alone but that needs with the help and support of the national agencies/government and the author may say that’s the correct procedure and protocol. However, Barangay governance has the mandate to initiate the process within their jurisdiction in the sense of helping the Indigenous People (IPs) or other related participants from the upland communities in some other way somewhat they called “livelihood program,” and not only focussing for “uling” (charcoal) production but following in aligning with the details of the RA 7160 – Local Government Code of 1991 requirements in achieving the process towards a sustainable livelihood environment, and after all, these help the community as a whole.

As far as “uling” (charcoal) processing is concerned, hence, the practice violates the Presidential Decree (PD) No. 705 (1975) - Revised Forestry Code of the Philippines, as amended by PD 1559 (1978); Executive Order (EO) No. 263 (1995) - Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) as the National Strategy to ensure the Sustainable Development of the Country’s Forestland Resources; and the EO 23 (2011) – Moratorium on the Cutting and Harvesting of Timber in Natural and Residual Forests. And with all these policies we have to bear in mind the importance of trees into our landscape structure as well.

The author understands their situation as a human in need, but, it is the government agencies' obligation supposed to be unlikely and they have done so many faults without following the rule of law as prescribed in the Philippine Government Laws. However, fattening their pocket for their self-interest, and that’s the reason why our brothers in the upland communities can’t stop such kind of practices.

And as an example, as shown in Figure 02, the so-called “Farmer” after harvesting trees somewhat called illegal logging in the mountains; they dried, cut into pieces and packed according to the cost value and market it along the road with an ad as “Kahoy For Sale!” But some “Farmer” to make them profitable, they use the dried wood into the process of producing “uling” (charcoal) in Figure 03, preparing dried wood into a charcoal product. Routinary practices by the kaingineros must be stopped and this can be done only through LGU's political will by driving it humanely – livelihood program and education.

Moreover, and as part of the communities, and we, as an environmentalist, maybe we can do something for them in maintaining the landscape structure in the prevention of denudation, erosion or landslide. And though, volunteering and educating them is the simple way we can help in the sense that through implementing government policies applicable to the upland governance can protect the ecosystem. Strict implementation accordingly in securing our environment in meeting a dream for a sustainable environment. And if not us, who else?  

Figure 03, Uling in the Process (credit image; Chllaxing Cheers)

Conclusion

Therefore, it is the most destructive silently since it promotes soil erosion and runoff because of “uling” (charcoal) processing and activities. Furtherance, and with the “uling” process, that is not for the equating 'kaingin' to 'harvesting of lumber' but, the "EFFECT OF KAINGIN PRACTICES or THE ILLEGAL HARVESTING OF LUMBER" as a reflection of the picture I am posted above. Also, that is not a "gross misconception" but the problem on how we can resolve and manage the threats we are facing within the biodiversity or within the landscape structure. And, in so far, relatives to the effects, the world is facing habitat reduction, habitat fragmentation, over-harvesting and pollution are the causes of an unsustainable environment, which is now prevalent not only in the Philippines but the whole world. And to wrapped-up the discussion, the author have provided an article, “View on the Implementation of Biodiversity” [Gomeseria, RV; (December 2018); “Environmental Advocacy & Conservation Personal Journal & Reflections;” Durreesamin Journal (ISSN: 2204-9827) December Vol 4 Issue 3; the Year 2018] So, what will happen to us now and in the future generation?

Recommendations

With all the aspirations happening and changes that have been done in the country, the process of humanism and affection must be observed. The policy approvals and upland governance mean a lot in the implementation, which means, becoming resilient more than the usual environment. 

Aside from “Uling” (charcoal) production, it is one of the causes of disturbances in the country towards urbanism in the heart of the climate change phenomenon. And because of “kaingin,” the upland becomes a city that’s usually happening in the Philippines being funded by the Oligarchs.

However, it is an essential aspect of land use planning; the spatial patterns of recovery must be considered within the landscape ecology to form a versatile sustainable environment. Most importantly and highly recommend that the said policies must be included and implemented correctly in the process through a landscape planning, design and environmental management incorporating the modern strategic application and that has to be a political will from the government to sustain the program.

Write-Up References can be Read from this Links;

Gomeseria, R. V. (2020, February 4). Uling. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/SMF7B

Gomeseria, RV; (2020, February 18); “Uling;” Retrieved from; https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339339648_Uling_Charcoal

https://www.academia.edu/42009714/_Uling_Charcoal_