Cultivation | Farm Management | Tree Growth | Conservation | CO₂ Sequestration | Paris Agreement
1. Top Strategic Regions
- Luzon (Uplands / Agricultural Territories)
- Areas: Quezon, Batangas, Laguna, Bicol uplands, portions of Sierra Madre
- Advantages: Cooler climates, access to metros like Manila, and ideal for combining real estate and eco-tourism
- Palawan (Southern)
- Locations: Puerto Princesa, Brooke’s Point, Rizal, Bataraza
- Advantages: Strong community and LGU interest
- Mindanao
- Areas: Davao del Norte, Bukidnon, Agusan, Cotabato, Zamboanga del Sur, Kidapawan
- Advantages: Promising climate, fertile terrain, supportive local counterparts, and proven pilot success
- Visayas (Mid-elevation Zones)
- Areas: Leyte, Negros Oriental, Samar
- Advantages: Moderate rainfall, suitable soils, good for distributed smaller-scale plantations
2. Strategic Considerations
- Security & Compliance: Key for high-value crops like agarwood, especially in remote areas.
- Market and Port Access: Proximity to export hubs (e.g., Manila) adds logistical advantage.
- Community Involvement: Utilizing cooperatives and local partnerships can enhance plantation resilience and ownership.
- Regulatory Compliance: Ensure existing CITES permit frameworks and DENR licensing are navigable in your target area.
- Ecological Resilience: Choosing degraded or secondary forest areas (vs. old-growth) helps with sustainability and avoids deforestation issues.