Author: Manuelito R. Putong

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Background

In recent years, the global agarwood industry has witnessed a shift toward sustainable plantation-based production, particularly in Southeast Asia. In the Philippines, one pioneering force behind this transformation is Putz Agarwood Farm Corporation (PAFC), a licensed agarwood plantation developer headquartered in Cavite with a 20-hectare operation in Hamtic, Antique.

PAFC cultivates Aquilaria malaccensis, a tree species listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As such, its activities are strictly regulated by the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to ensure that harvesting and international trade do not threaten the survival of the species.

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Challenge

While PAFC had successfully secured a Wildlife Culture Permit (WCuP R-6-2022-001) and established a thriving plantation, it was preparing to enter the international market—specifically the lucrative Middle Eastern agarwood trade. This brought the company face-to-face with the complex process of CITES export compliance, including documentation, scientific validation, and legal acquisition verification.

To move forward, PAFC needed to:

• Prove the legal origin of its Aquilaria planting stock
• Demonstrate the sustainability of its resin induction protocols
• Navigate the steps required for CITES Export Permit issuance, including Non-Detriment Findings (NDF) and Legal Acquisition Findings (LAF)

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The Engagement

In early 2025, a formal consultation was held between CITES/BMB officials and PAFC’s leadership at the BMB Central Office in Quezon City. Representing PAFC were Mr. Norberto Joyel (President) and Mr. Manuelito R. Putong (Technical Consultant)—the latter also serving as President of the Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines (AGAP).

The discussion focused on:

• Traceability of planting materials: PAFC showcased its digital recordkeeping and geo-tagged inventory of Aquilaria trees, all propagated from registered mother trees.
• Scientific resin induction: PAFC detailed its use of advanced BarIno™ inoculants, such as ResinRush™ (FeCl₃ + NaCl) and FusaTrinity™ (Fusarium oxysporum + MnO₂). These formulations induce resin production through controlled stress mechanisms without damaging tree vitality.
• Trade intentions: PAFC declared its intent to export agarwood chips, confirming its understanding of the need for CITES documentation, third-party inspection, and sustainability reporting.

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The Outcome

BMB commended PAFC’s efforts to modernize and legalize agarwood production, particularly its alignment with science-based practices and national conservation goals. CITES representatives committed to supporting PAFC through:

• On-site verification of resin-harvested trees prior to export
• Technical guidance for preparing Non-Detriment Findings and LAF submissions
• Coordination with DENR Region VI to streamline documentation and regulatory reviews

PAFC, in turn, pledged to submit its inoculation SOPs, sustainability monitoring report, and plantation audit data to the BMB’s Agarwood Registry.

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Impact

This successful consultation solidified PAFC’s reputation as a model plantation developer—combining business acumen, environmental stewardship, and regulatory transparency. It also strengthened the collaboration between government regulators and private sector innovators in establishing a viable, legal agarwood export pathway for the Philippines.

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Key Takeaways

• ✅ Legal compliance and scientific validation are essential for CITES-listed species trade.
• ✅ Traceability, documentation, and transparency are non-negotiables for export clearance.
• ✅ Partnerships with regulators, researchers, and cooperatives are critical for scaling impact.

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Tanza, Cavite – March 01, 2025 — Today marks a pivotal moment for the Philippine agarwood industry as Aetherial Natural Oils Corporation (ANOC), in partnership with De La Salle University (DLSU), begins the field implementation of breakthrough inoculation technology for Aquilaria malaccensis trees.

This initiative signifies the country’s first coordinated deployment of university-developed resin induction protocols, aimed at increasing the efficiency and sustainability of agarwood production. The inoculation process officially commenced on select trees at ANOC’s plantation site in Tanza, Cavite, using a formulation refined by DLSU’s research team after years of laboratory and field validation.

“This is a defining step not just for our company, but for the entire industry,” said Mr. Manuelito R. Putong, Technical Consultant at ANOC and President of the Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines (AGAP). “We are translating science into sustainable economic impact.”

The advanced inoculant technology—designed to safely stimulate resin formation in cultivated Aquilaria trees—positions the Philippines as a growing leader in ethical, plantation-based agarwood production. It is expected to shorten resin formation timelines, minimize tree damage, and produce high-value agarwood chips and oil for export and perfumery applications.

Aetherial Natural Oils Corp, a vertically integrated player in the Philippine fragrance sector, will continue to work closely with DLSU, AGAP, and regulatory bodies such as DENR-BMB and CITES to ensure full compliance and scientific integrity.

This milestone serves as a model of public-private-academic collaboration, with the shared goal of building a globally competitive, environmentally responsible agarwood value chain in the Philippines.

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Photo courtesy of Laurenti E. Putong.

The Agarwood Growers Association of the Philippines Incorporated (AGAP) and De La Salle University (DLSU) have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a major milestone for the agarwood industry in the Philippines. This strategic partnership sets the stage for groundbreaking research, innovation, and sustainable development, strengthening our commitment to advancing agarwood production through science and technology. A new chapter begins—exciting times ahead!