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Agarwood Federation visits DTI

On August 19, 2024, the National Officers of the Oud Philippine Growers Federation of Agriculture Cooperative (OPGFAC) visited the office of DTI Acting Secretary Hon. Maria Cristina Roque to discuss potential collaborations. The delegation was led by National Chairman Manuelito R. Putong of the Agarwood Growers Agriculture Cooperative (AGAC) in Region 6, National Director Oliver Dan De Luna of the Agarwood Leyte Agriculture Cooperative (ALAC) in Region 8, and Laurenti E. Putong, Chairman of the Agarwood Cavite Agriculture Cooperative (ACAC) in Region 4A. They were joined by Atty. Oliver Baclay Jr. of Gulapa Law, OIC Regional Director for R4B Rodolfo J. Mariposque, Mr. Francis Penaflor of the Board of Investments (BOI), Ms. Fenina Bonoan of the Export Management Bureau (EMB), and Mr. Merdiorhee M. Cabardo, also of the EMB.

During the meeting, Acting Secretary Roque pledged the Department of Trade and Industry’s (DTI) full support for the emerging agarwood industry in the Philippines. This support will be coordinated through DTI’s attached agencies: the Board of Investments (BOI), the Bureau of Philippine Standards (BPS), the Export Management Bureau (EMB), and the Regional Operations Group (ROG).

OIC Regional Director Rodolfo J. Mariposque from the Regional Operations Group (ROG) also requested the development of a roadmap to guide collaborative activities moving forward.

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Future Paths in Agarwood Research with CvSU

The recent Biology Learning Exchange & Networking Discussions (BLEND) of Cavite State University (CvSU) on Agarwood Production last Monday June 10, 2024 concluded with great success. Esteemed speakers Dr. Antonio C. Laurena, Research Professor 8 of Biochemistry-Analytical Services Laboratories, Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB), College of Agriculture and Food Science, UP Los Baños; Mr. Manuelito R. Putong, Founding Chairman of Oud Philippine Growers Federation of Agriculture Cooperative (OPGFAC); and Mr. Jeroen Lauri P. Joyel, Vice-President of Putz Agarwood Farm Corp shared their valuable insights on this critical topic. The event saw enthusiastic participation from BS Biology students, faculty members, and university staff.

Following the engaging session, the speakers, along with Dr. Lloyd O. Balinado, Department of Biological Sciences (DBS) Chairperson, Dr. Armi Grace B. Desingaño, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Dean, and Dr. Hosea L. Matel (Makapuno Research and Development,. Innovation and Resource Center (MRDIRC) Director, paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Melbourne R. Talactac, Vice President for Research and Extension. This collaborative effort highlights our commitment to advancing biological sciences, particularly in enhancing Agarwood production and sustainability. This event marks just the beginning of a promising future research collaboration.

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DENR eases requirements on tree plantations

DENR Administrative Order 2020-18: Promoting Tree Plantation Development and Liberalizing Harvesting and Transport of Planted Trees and Tree Derivatives for Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development

Private landowners are also enticed to establish their wood processing plants to encourage vertical integration. This means that, as wood-based enterprises control multiple processes in the supply chain (e.g., tree growing, harvesting, wood processing, marketing), they enhance their production efficiency – which translates to lower production cost and improved market competitiveness. 

The policy also calls for the development of a training program for tree plantation certification and guidelines for third-party certifiers, and to strengthen “research and development programs on tree plantation establishment and management to assist tree plantation owners.”