1 STATUS OF RUBBERWOOD PROCESSING AND UTILIZATION IN THE PHILIPPINES Forest Products Research & Development Institute Department of Science and Technology By FELIX B. TAMOLANG, Director III

2 Introduction Distribution and Supply Potential Value Of Available Supply Basic Properties & Characteristics Technological & Working Properties Utilization Constraints in Utilization of Rubberwood Conclusion and Recommendations

3 Diminishing wood supply in the mid-1970s alerted forest conservation in the Philippines Shortage of raw material supply adversely affected the growth and global competitiveness of forest-based industries

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5 CHANGES IN FOREST COVER YEARFOREST COVER% TOTAL (M HA) NA- 1950NA- 1960NA

6 CHANGE IN FOREST COVER

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8 Para rubber Hevea brasiliensis (HBK) Muell.-Arg. Family Euphorbiaceae

9 RegionArea (has.)No. of Trees CALABARZON22750,650 MIMAROPA5031,500 Zamboanga Peninsula 43,02816,234,474 Northern Mindanao 4,527411,456 Davao Region6,2451,283,301 SOCSARGEN31,12812,470,525 ARMM21,1942,498,355 Caraga5,4462,466,225 Total Philippines111,84535,446,486

10 About 40,000 has. of more than 25 year old rubber trees considered over-aged found in Zamboanga Peninsula, SOCSARGEN, CARAGA and ARMM 6 M cu.m. of logs ready for processing if govt. policy on rubber utilization will be expanded focusing into promotion on processing, utilization & marketing of rubberwood products as alternative RM

11 6 M cu.m. of logs if processed & exported as KD lumber has a potential value of USD 361 M Higher potential value if further processed & exported into value-added products Sustained replanting at rate of 4% every year will yield about 5,592 hectares of rubberwood or 668,910 cu m of logs ready for utilization annually

12 TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR RUBBERWOOD INDUSTRIES

13 1.Research and Development 2.Product Testing and Certification 3.Establishment of Common Service Facilities (CSF) 4.Manpower Development 5.Provision of Technical Support and Services Major Components of FPRDI Technical Services

14 Basic Properties and Characteristics

15 Species Relative Density (Kg/m 3 ) Color (Heartwood) GrainTextureLuster Para Rubber Para Rubber White to Pale cream with pinkish tinge Straight to interlocked Moderately coarse Low Yemane Yemane Cream to light yellow brown Straight to moderately interlocked FineHigh Mahogany Mahogany Reddish brown Straight to interlocked Moderately fine High Mangium Mangium Dark brown StraightFineHigh Physical Properties of Plantation–Grown Trees in the Phils.

16 Species Shrinkage (green-12%MC) Dimen- sional Movement Natural Durability (Heart wood) RadialTangentialVolumetric Para Rubber LowPerishable Yemane Medium Moderately durable Mahogany Low Mangium Moderately low Non-durable Physical Properties of Plantation-Grown Trees in the Phils.

17 Mechanical Properties of Plantation-grown hardwoods in the Phils. SpeciesClass II Strenght Grouping Comparable Species Para Rubber Para Rubber Class IV Mayapis Yemane Yemane Class III Narra, Philippine Mahogany Mahogany Mahogany Class III Mangium Mangium Class II Narra

18 Working properties

19 Working properties of plantation-grown hardwoods in the Philippines Species Sawing & Machining DryingTreatabilityNailing Para Rubber Para RubberGoodEasy Moderately permeable Tends to split Mahogany MahoganyGoodEasy Extremely resistant Easy Yemane YemaneGood Easy (fairly slow) Resistant Very easy Mangium MangiumGoodEasyresistantEasy

20 Working properties of plantation-grown hardwoods in the Phils. SpeciesFinishing Steam Bending GluingRemarks Para Rubber Para RubberGoodPoorEasy Warp often severe. Susceptible to blue stain and borer attack Mahogany MahoganyGoodPoorEasy- Yemane YemaneGoodFairEasy Slight blunting effect on cutting tools Mangium MangiumGood Very good Moderately easy Lumber susceptible to warp

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23 It is inherently very susceptible to the attack of staining fungi and insect borers because of its high starch and sugar content. Although solutions to these problems and preventive measures have been identified, the cost of chemicals and putting up treating facilities is a deterring factor in its utilization. It is prone to seasoning defects i.e. bowing, twisting, spring which can however be minimized or prevented through proper handling, stacking and drying.

24 Logs are only available in short lengths and small diameter. In furniture manufacture, however, this is not a limitation because it does not normally require long and wide boards. If it does, the boards can be side glued and finger jointed. Existing government policy and program in the Philippines which is limited to promotion and production of natural rubber /latex. There is no clearcut policy supporting the processing and utilization of rubberwood.

25 The wood has excellent physical and technological properties making it suitable for the manufacture of a variety of quality finished products and competitive to other wood products in both the local and export markets. There is an available volume of rubberwood supply which is relatively sufficient and be made sustainable as long as the government promotes and encourages the planting of rubber trees for latex production and promote and encourage its further processing and marketing as additional socio-economic incentive among rubber growers & wood-based manufacturers.

26 The technology for processing rubberwood is available in the country and ready for technology transfer to interested end-users. Successful experiences by other countries like Malaysia, Thailand, China, India and Indonesia can be readily adopted in the Philippines where processing facilities and skilled manpower are available.

27 To ensure a sustainable supply of rubberwood in the Philippines, loans at low interest rates and attractive investment incentives need to be offered ny the government to encourage the establishment of rubberwood processing facilities especially in rubberwood growing regions.

28 Implement a strict quality control system. This can be done by requiring manufacturers, processor and suppliers of rubberwood to register and secure license from an appropriate government agency but only after they have established basic minimum facilities for kiln drying and preservative treatment. Furthermore, no rubber product should be exported unless certified that it has been processed according to a prescribed set of kiln drying and preservative treatment standards.

29 These requirements are necessary to ensure that the program promoting the utilization and marketing of rubberwood in the Philippines is not hampered. Short cuts in preservative treatment and seasoning will adversely affected product quality which will have detrimental consequences to this program Enactment into Law the Creation of the Philippine Rubber Research Institute (PRRI) whose functions shall be: (a) Propagate and promote the planting, maintenance, as well as wise utilization of rubber trees as source of latex and finished rubber products;

30 (b) Enable rubber producers and processors, especially small-holders, to have access to quality rubber tree seedlings, modern production techniques, and other support services from production to marketing of rubber produce; (c) Undertake training and capacity-building programs for rubber producers, processors, and cooperatives in order to increase production of quality rubber and raise level of income especially of poor small-holders;

31 (d) Aid in the establishment of community-based rubber enterprises to generate livelihood opportunities and improve general well-being of the large percentage of workforce in agricultural communities; (e) Promote cooperative development among small- holders and provide them access to resources, technological know-how, as well as decision-making processes for the enhancement of their rubber enterprises and the protection of their welfare.

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