Category: Agarwood Industry

Today marks a significant milestone for the agarwood industry in the Philippines as we take a groundbreaking step toward innovation and sustainability. We have begun implementing the inoculant technology developed by De La Salle University, initiating the inoculation of select trees at Aetherial Natural Oils Corp in Tanza, Cavite. This advancement paves the way for enhanced agarwood production and a more sustainable future for the industry.

Invest in INOCULANT Development, Grow with us!

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!

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) under RA 7796 is the government agency mandated to provide relevant, accessible, high quality and efficient technical education and skills development in support of the development of high-quality Filipino middle-level manpower responsive to and in accordance with Philippine development goals and priorities.

The area-based and demand-driven TVET is responsive to the critical needs defined by the industries including MSMEs, cooperatives, and employers to produce correctly skilled workers in a specific area or locality.

The TVET sector needs to respond to the rapidly changing needs of the labor market considering the varying geographical characteristics and industrial layout of the regions and provinces.

In relation to this, TESDA Cavite will be conducting an Industry Consultation to update the Skills Priorities of the province to respond to the labor market demand and granularized it into a district skills priorities.

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.