PHILIPPINES

INTRODUCTION

Main non-wood forest products

The most important NWFP of the Philippines are rattan, bamboo, fibres, vines, palms and exudates. Other NWFP include essential oils, dyes, wild food plants, medicinal plants, honey and butterflies.

General information

In the Philippines, NWFP are classified and referred to as "minor forest products". They are an important source of food for rural people, the principal source of fibre and forage and a valuable raw material for furniture and handicraft manufacture in the cottage industry. NWFP are also used in the manufacture of pulp and paper, plastic, paint and varnish, soap and shampoo. These products are also important sources of materials for low-cost housing, food and beverages, clothing materials, medicine and other valuable products. NWFP have provided people who live in or near forest lands, especially subsistence upland farmers and the unemployed or underemployed in the lowlands, with sources of income (Neri 1994).

The Philippine Forestry Statistics contains production figures for certain NWFP (trade and market values are not included).

Table 1. Production of selected NWFP from 1990 to 1998 (in thousands of units, kg or by piece)

Source: Philippine Forestry Statistics (1998)

Most NWFP are gathered from the forest although many plants are domesticated and are grown in backyard gardens by indigenous people, upland settlers and also by the urban populace.

While some NWFP are exported in raw form, others are utilized by the gatherers themselves or sold to local processors or manufacturers. Most of the processors are cottage-type or backyard-level industries employing not more than 20 workers. There are about 250 medium to large firms which are involved primarily in the manufacture of rattan and bamboo furniture for export. With the declining importance of wood-based industries, and the prospect of more restrictive logging bans, attention has shifted to the development of NWFP-based industries. Wasteful utilization and the destruction of much of the country's forests have also resulted in the depletion of several NWFP (Neri 1994).

At present, there is a growing export demand for finished and semifinished products such as Philippine rattan furniture, baskets and other native products made of indigenous raw materials such as vines, barks, roots and bast fibres. Other manufactured NWFP exports include buri and pandan placemats, handbags, wallets, purses and similar articles of palm and bamboo, buntal and buri hats. The total export value in 1998 for basketwork (wickerwork), Christmas decorations and other manufactured materials were US$66 189 066; US$83 345 578 and US$14 006 498, respectively (DTI Markets of Philippine Merchandise Exports, January to September 1997/1998). On the other hand the total export values for selected NWFP-based furniture in 1998 were US$1 436 368; US$79 475 485 and US$1 606 138 for bamboo furniture, rattan furniture and buri furniture, respectively (Philippine Forestry Statistics 1998).

The extraction and gathering of NWFP on forest land is regulated legally by the government through the issuance of licences or permits, but an undetermined quantity of NWFP is extracted illegally (Neri 1994).

PLANTS AND PLANT PRODUCTS

Utensils, handicrafts, construction materials

There are about 62 species of rattan found in the Philippines and 12 of these are of commercial value: (palasan (Calamus merrillii); limuran (C. ornatus var. philippinensis); tumalim (C. mindorensis); sika (C. caesius); panlis (C. ramulosus); malacca cane (C. scipionum); lambutan (C. halconensis); apas or lukuan (C. reyesianus); kurakling (C. microsphaerion); tagiktik (C. filispadix); ditaan (Daemonorops mollis) and hiyod (D. pedicellaris).

Rattan has played a major role in the economy of the Philippines’ flourishing furniture and handicraft industry. The rapid growth and expansion of the rattan industry has caused a heavy drain in the domestic supply of rattan canes. From 1993 to 1997 rattan furniture and handicraft exports earned a total of US$600 million (Philippine Forestry Statistics 1997) growing at 14 percent annually in the same period. Rattan products were exported to the United States, Japan, Australia, the United Kingdom and France. Similarly within that period, the Philippines imported from China, Hong Kong and Singapore approximately US$2.8 million of raw rattan poles to supplement the local supply.

Regulations have been applied to rationalize the development of the rattan industry. Separate areas are allocated for large and small entrepreneurs. If the rattan production areas are within lands reserved for or occupied by tribal groups, priority is given to the tribal groups (Neri 1994). However, illegal harvesting of high quality rattan canes still continues.

There are around 32 species of bamboo found in the Philippines. Bamboo species suitable for furniture, handicrafts, and novelty items are: kauayan tinik (Bambusa blumeana); kauayan kiling (B. vulgaris); giant bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper); bayog (D. merrilianus); kayali (Gigantochloa atter); bolo (G. levis) and buho (Schizostachyum lumampao) (PCARRD 1991).

Bamboo areas are estimated to range from about 39 000 to 52 000 ha. It is distributed physically as follows: 20 500 to 34 000 ha from forest land; 2 236 ha from government plantations; 3 037 ha from private plantations and 13 434 ha from natural stands. From these bamboo stands, the projected potentially available culm production ranges from 29 million to 52 million poles harvested every year (Virtucio et al. 1983; RP-German Forest Resources Inventory Project).

Bamboo export consists mainly of basket/basketware (92.47 percent) and furniture (7.41 percent). Philippine bamboo is exported to 36 countries. The United States is the single biggest market for furniture. Other major buyers are Spain, France, Australia, Italy and the Netherlands (FOSTER-Asia 1998).

Palms, for example buri (Corypha elata), nipa (Nypa fruticans), kaong (Arenga pinnata), anahaw (Livistonia rotundifolia) and sago (Metroxylon sagu) and vines such as hinggiw (Ichnocarpus frutescens), diliman (Stenochlaena palustris), lukmoy (Rhapidophora monticola) and nito (Lygodium circinnatum) are well represented in the Philippines. Palms are as important as bamboo and rattan. There are about 123 native palm species in the Philippines plus other introduced palms classified as either "climbing" or "erect" a nd about 149 vines and bast fibre species. These are the primary raw materials for the basketry industry. Ninety percent of the total production of the basketry industry is for export (DOST 1996).

Palms have several uses. For instance nipa (Nypa fruticans) sap can be used for alcohol, wine, sugar and vinegar; its leaves can be used for bags and hats; its fruits are used as medicine for intestinal worms; leaves are also used to make shingles for roofing and walls for low-cost houses; the midribs are made into brooms and the petioles are used as fuel. The fermented juice is a popular local drink (Neri 1994). In 1998 the production of nipa shingles was 6 746 000 pieces (Philippine Forestry Statistics 1998).

In 1998 exports of buri were 13 708 kg (US$38 580) (Philippine Forestry Statistics 1998).

Production of anahaw leaves decreased from 48 000 in 1981 to 19 000 pieces in 1998. The trunk of the anahaw is used for handicrafts, utensils and construction materials; the leaves are used for roofing, the buds are eaten and the plant is also used as an ornamental.

Diliman (Stenochlaena palustris), nito (Lygodium spp.), lukmoy (Pothos spp.) and baling-uai (Flagellaria indica) are some of the more important climbers. Diliman is used chiefly as tying material in the preparation of fish traps because of its durability in salt water. It is also used for making ropes and baskets. Nito is the name used for different species of Lygodium, although the most common and widely used species in the country is Lygodium circinnatum. It is used in the manufacture of baskets, hats, bags and other fancy articles. The central cylinders of the roots of Pothos are used in baskets. Baling-uai is a vine used in tying, in sewing nipa shingles and in making baskets (Neri 1994).

Salago (Wikstroemia spp.) is a shrub with an exceptionally high fibre potential. Fibres extracted from its bark are excellent materials for the manufacture of high grade paper used in bank notes, cheques, paper for legal documents and other specialty papers requiring strength and durability. Four species of this genus are known for their quality fibres, namely: small leaf salago (Wikstroemia indica); lance leaf (W. lanceolata); large leaf salago (W. meyeniana) and round leaf salago (W. ovata) (Brown 1921).

Table 2. Salago plantations areas

Two manufacturers of handmade paper in Cebu City are exporting salago products (i.e. slippers and ladies’ bags for export to Germany). The average export price for salago fibre was observed to be increasing steadily from 1986 to 1990. In 1998 a total of 645 840 kg of salago bark valued at US$443 990 were exported to China, Japan, Korea and Thailand.

In the Philippines, there are 40 known species of pandan (Pandanus). Among the most important pandan species in the Philippines are: bariu (Pandanus copelandii); taboan (P. dubius); alasas (P. uzonensis); oyango (P. radicans); sabutan (P. sabotan); karagomoi (P. simplex); common or beach pandan (P. tectorius) and pandan layugan (P.exaltatus).

The pandan leaves are used for making coarse and fine baskets, bags, hats, mats, picture frames and other novelty items. Pandan leaves are good material for making low-cost cocoon frames for silkworm production. The wood of some pandan species is also used in the manufacture of splints for making baskets.

It is estimated that there are 58.88 billion stems of pandans in the Philippines. Pandan placemats are exported to Canada, French Polynesia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and the United States. In 1998, the total export of pandan placemats was 56 770 pieces, valued at US$(FOB)90 934.00 (Philippine Forestry Statistics 1998).

Exudates

Gum- and resin-producing plants, such as: piling liitan (Canarium luzonicum); Almaciga/Manila copal (Agathis philippinensis); Benguet pine (Pinus kesiya); apitong (Dipterocarpus grandiflorus) and Manila elemi (Canarium luzonicu) are distributed widely in open areas and in second growth forests throughout the Philippines.

Resins and gums (especially Manila copal and Manila elemi) are the main NWFP exported in raw form. Almost all resins that are produced are exported. In 1998, 355 000 kg of Almaciga resin with an FOB value of US$254 000 and 221 000 kg of Manila elemi with an FOB value of US$448 000 were exported. There are insufficient processing factories in the country.

Table 3. Export of Manila copal and Manila elemi from 1990 to 1998

Year	Manila copal		Manila elemi
	Quantity (1 000 kg)	Value (US$FOB1000)	Quantity (1 000 kg)	Value (US$FOB1000)
1998	355	254	221	448
1997	281	365	162	436
1996	326	258	353	947
1995	328	252	259	621
1994	387	249	269	464
1993	382	243	330	686
1992	273	164	176	295
1991	363	242	146	251
1990	288	211	611	1 064

Source: Philippine Forestry Statistics (1998)

Medicines

More than 80 percent of the Philippine population uses herbal remedies. Most original information on drug-producing plants is derived from traditional practitioners, known locally as herbolario.

The creation of the National Integrated Research Program on Medicinal Plants (NIRPROMP) has provided scientific groundwork for the development of herbal medicines in the Philippines. Through this programme, four herbal pharmaceutical plants were established in the Philippines (i.e. Tuguegarao and Cagayan in Luzon Island, Tacloban City in Visayas Island and Cotabato City in Mindanao Island). At present, the production of these four Department of Health (DOH) plantations is limited to the following herbal drugs: lagundi (Vitex negundo), sambong (Blumea balsamifera), yerba buena (Mentha cordifolia) and tsaang gubat (Carmona retusa) (Board of Investment-Department of Trade and Industry 1999).

The exports of herbal products are minimal. Various countries such as China, Romania, Iran and Iraq have shown interest in importing herbal medicines such as lagundi and sambong from the Philippines.

Perfumes and cosmetics

More than 50 plants have been identified to contain essential oils. Plants that have the potential for commercial extraction include citronella (Andropogon nardus), salai/tanglad (Cymbopogon citratus), moras (Vetiveria zizanioides), ilang-ilang (Cananga odorata), kalingag (Cinnamomum mercadoi), lumbang (Aleurites moluccana) and baguilumbang (Aleurites trisperma) (DOST 1992; Neri 1994). Due to inefficient manufacturing practices, the essential oil industry of the Philippines has to import more than 90 percent of its raw materials. The cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries imported essential oil products worth US$96.5 million in 1997 (Bureau of Export Trade Promotion, Department of Trade and Industry 2000).

Herbal soaps and shampoos and other care products are becoming popular too, especially with the urban populace.

Dyeing and tanning

Plant dyes are used for colouring mats, textiles and in food products. For instance, the highlanders of Mindanao use sikalig (Morinda bracteata), sibukao (Caesalpinia sappan) and talisay (Terminalia catappa). Sappan wood (sibukao) from Caesalpinia sappan has been exported.

ANIMALS AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS

Honey

Annually, NATRIPAL (United Tribes of Palawan) is marketing 200 to 300 gallons of honey mostly to local tourist markets and traders in Manila. In 1997 deliveries of honey totalled six tonnes.

Medicine

Demand for monkeys as experimental animals (a source for polio vaccine) and the legal phase-out on the collection and trade of wild monkeys have encouraged commercial companies to engage in the captive breeding of monkeys. Six companies are involved in the trade of animals for experiments.

Other non-edible animal products

Butterflies (e.g. Graphium agamemnon) are bred and traded in commercial quantities and exported as pupae and dried adult specimens (DENR-UNEP 1997).

REFERENCES

Asia Pacific Centre for Research. 1994. The commercial propagation of salago for fiber production. A feasibility study on the DOST-TAPI-PCARRD.

Brown, W.H. (ed.) 1921. Minor products of Philippine forests. Manila, Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Bureau of Forestry.

Decena, A.A. & Decena, L.T. 1992. Socio-economic profile of the Philippine vine handicraft industry. FPRDI Journal 21 (1&2): 81–96.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Administrative Order No. 04. Revised regulations governing rattan resources.

DENR Administrative Order No. 2000-63. New rates of forest charges pursuant to Republic Act No. 7161 (R.A. 7161) and based on the FOB market price of forest products.

DENR Administrative Order no. 2000-64. Regulation in the cutting/gathering and/or utilization of anahaw palms.

Department of Science and Technology (DOST). 1992. Essential oil production. Techno Brochure 03. Series 1992.

DOST. 1996. The basketry industry. March 1996.

Escobin, R.P. & Banaticla, Ma. C.N. 1997. Identification handbook of Philippine commercial and potentially commercial woody forest vines. Annual Progress Report , NRCP F-127.

Escobin, R.P.; Rojo, J.P. & Pitargue, Jr. F.C. 1997. Identification handbook of Philippine bast fiber producing trees and shrubs. Proj. no. FPRDI-1997 0005 (1-96-101-3101-1) TR.

Foundation for Sustainable Techno-environmental Reforms in Asia, Inc. (FOSTER- Asia). 1998. A study on bamboo processing.

Gonzales, L.L. & Virtucio, F.D. 1989. Lukmoy and nito: the promising vines for cottage industries. Canopy International, 15, 1: 8–10.

Guerrero, C. 1999. The quality of forest honey in Palawan. Voices from the Forest No 1. February, 1999.

Neri, B.S. 1994. Non-wood forest products in Asia-Philippines. FAO docrep. X5334e09.Ortiz, F.A. & Robillos Y.U. 1980. Essential oils in some Philippine plants.

Philippines Council for Agriculture,Forestry, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD). 1991. The Philippine recommends for rattan. Series no.55-A. Los Baños, Laguna., PCARRD.

PCARRD. 1991. The Philippine recommends for bamboo. Series No. 53-A. Los Baños, Laguna, PCARRD.

Philippine Forestry Statistics. 1998. Forest Management Bureau. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Quezon City, Manila.

National Statistical Coordination Board. 1993. Philippine standard commodity classification manual. Makati, Manila.

Serrano, R.C. 1988. Profile of selected non-timber forest products. Book Series no. 67/1988.Los Baños, Laguna, PCARRD.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

This report has been realized within the framework of the EC-FAO Partnership Programme "Sustainable Forest Management in Asia". The contents are based on available information at FAO headquarters in Rome, as well as on a report provided by Mrs Nimfa Torreta.

The following persons have also contributed to the preparation of the report: Ms Mayumi Quintos, Division Chief, Forest Management Bureau; Dr Ramiro Escobin, Researcher, Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI); Dr Eustaquio Aragones, Researcher, Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI); Dr Justo P. Rojo, Retired Scientist, Forest Products Research and Development Institute; Dr Aida B. Lapis, Researcher, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau; Dr Agustin Pinol, Researcher, Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau.

Additional information on NWFP in the Philippines would be appreciated and duly acknowledged.

CONTACTS

Forest Management Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (FMB, DENR)

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (PAWB-DENR)

Bureau of Investment, Department of Trade and Industry (BOI, DTI)

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD)

Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI)

Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau (ERDB)

University of the Philippines, Los Baños, College of Forestry and Natural Resources (UPLB-CFNR)

ANNEX 1. FOREST SERVICES

Mangrove ecosystems and national forest parks provide various benefits. Mangroves provide nursery grounds for fish, prawns and crabs and support for fishery production in coastal waters. They serve as recreational areas for bird watching and wildlife observation. National forest parks have aesthetic, recreational, sociocultural, scientific, educational, spiritual and historical values.

Table 4. Visitors to selected protected areas in the Philippines

Source: Quarterly Regional Statistical Report 1999 (compiled by: Management Information System and Statistics Unit, Planning Staff, Parks and Wildlife Bureau, DENR)

QUANTITATIVE NWFP DATA OF THE PHILIPPINES

Importance: 1 – high importance at the national level; 2 – high importance at the local/regional level; 3 – low importance

Parts used: an – whole animal; ba – bark; bw – beeswax; le – leaves; nu – nuts; fi – fibres; fl – flowers; fr – fruits; gu – gums;

&# 9; ho – honey; la – latex; oi – oil; pl – whole plant; re – resins; ro – roots; sa – sap; se – seeds; st – stem; ta – tannins

Habitat: F – natural forest or other wooded lands; P – plantation; O – trees outside forests (e.g. agroforestry, home gardens)

Source: W – wild, C – cultivated

Destination: N – national; I – international