TACLOBAN CITY – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) in the region has rolled out a new capacity-building program in Naval, Biliran aimed at developing the province’s emerging agarwood industry through science-based processing technologies and stronger collaboration among government, private sector, and local communities.
The initiative, led by the DOST–Forest Products Research and Development Institute (FPRDI), the Provincial Science and Technology Office (PSTO)–Biliran, and partner Roving Agriventures Inc. (RAI), was formally launched with the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to outline joint commitments in research, training, and sustainable production.
Agarwood—one of the world’s most valuable forest products—is a dark, resinous heartwood that forms when certain tree species react to natural or induced injury.
While propagation and plantation-based cultivation of agarwood species are allowed, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) strictly prohibits the gathering of seeds or wood from the wild without proper permits.
Under the agreement, DOST-FPRDI will spearhead research activities, technology transfer, and technical training; DOST VIII and PSTO Biliran will coordinate Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) programs in the region; and RAI will continue promoting responsible agarwood cultivation with its advocacy of “transforming lives, one tree at a time.”
The launch featured an orientation on ongoing agarwood research initiatives and fragrance profiling, followed by hands-on training in liniment and balm production. The activity aims to equip farmers and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with skills to produce value-added products for medicinal and cosmetic markets—creating new livelihood opportunities across Biliran.
The event gathered representatives from DOST VIII and FPRDI, DENR-PENRO Leyte, Biliran Vice Governor Roselyn Espina-Paras and the RAI team, reflecting broad support for developing a sustainable agarwood value chain in the province.
The program reinforces DOST VIII’s commitment to harnessing STI to uplift communities, expand local industries, and promote environmentally sound economic development in Eastern Visayas.
(ROEL T.AMAZONA)
