canopyISSN 0115-0960 INTERNATIONAL Volume 39 January - December 2013 Published by the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Editorial

On typhoon and storm surge

The recent super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) and storm surge in provinces of Visayas brought turmoil, wrecked nerves and caused people to abandon home and seek refuge. Properties were destroyed, millions of crops were devastated, and countless lives were lost. Thousands of families had nowhere to go. No food. No shelter. Nothing was spared.

Amidst these terrifying events, the Filipino spirit still shone and prevailed. Every Filipino took part to help the fellow citizens in need. International institutions and government offices also extended their help. Foreign aid from all over the world came in generous relief to relocation centers and provided food, medicine and emergency services for the typhoon survivors.

The aftermath of Yolanda poses stern reminder and a tough challenge to all Filipinos to act responsibly. Truly, we can never stop natural phenomena like typhoons, but still we will be accountable and responsible for bearing the burden of their impacts. The costs of building new homes and infrastructures are admittedly very large. But the cost of not doing anything at all is even much larger.

With this, DENR Secretary Ramon Paje set his plans to restore mangroves and beach forests in the region’s coastline. This action is in line with the government’s National Greening Program (NGP). The tree-planting activities may be implemented in coastal areas in Leyte and Eastern Samar. Unknown to many, mangroves serve as natural barriers and can protect coastal communities from future typhoons, storm surges (flooding due to abnormal sea level rise) and other extreme weather events.

A major disaster is only a heartbeat away. We can never tell where and when the next big one will hit again. It is better to be always vigilant and prepared for any eventuality before it is too late.

WHAT’S INSIDE?

The Toog tree bears fruit again (Only after two Trees under pressure 11 2 decades?) Pest-free seedlings for a greener Philippines 13 Gender roles assessment in the flood-prone barangays of Pinukpok, Kalinga Apayao 4 Reduce your carbon footprint and save money 14

Visayas trail: Exploring the economic value of A thanksgiving prayer from a researcher working 6 15 bamboos in Region 7 on grasses

Waste biomass statistics in the Philippines 8 Earthwatch 16 The Toog tree bears fruit again (Only after two decades?) Manolito U. Sy

Through the years, a tree describes the tree to be about 38 m number of these trees causing stands proudly tall amidst tall with a dbh of 240 cm. the company to utilize them into other trees and palms, plywood. Both instances appeared Some personal thoughts in the November-December 1996 inevitably ignored by wood issue of the Canopy International. cutters, unfazed by strong In my travels to the Caraga Region In that article, I mentioned winds, and appreciated for its in Mindanao, particularly in the its uses, wood properties, and majestic stance. provinces of Agusan del Sur and some research and development Surigao del Sur, the isolated undertakings then. Among the This tree is the toog (Petersiantus patches of tall, straight-boled information is the difficulty quadrialatus [Merr.] Merr.), trees that are very visible from the in sawing the tree owing to its which grows up to 50 m tall and highways fascinate me and keep wood properties like its specific over 200 cm diameter at breast me wondering why they persist gravity (0.61) which is grouped height (dbh) in primary forests to be there – even in agricultural under moderately high along at low altitudes. For now, the lands where cutting of trees is with molave (Vitex parviflora Caraga Region boasts of having in supposedly unregulated. Juss.), ipil (Instia bijuga [Colebr.] its fold in Barangay Alegria, San O. Kuntze), ata-ata (Diospyros Francisco, Agusan del Sur “most The toog tree first caught my mindanaensis Merr.), and narig probably the biggest and most interest three decades back during (Vatica mangachapoi Blanco ssp. majestic tree in the Philippines a trip to Mondragon, Samar in the mangachapoi), among other tree today,” according to the marker Eastern Visayas as member of a species (Tesoro and Aday 1990). put near the foot of the tree by the team to evaluate the performance The same authors describe the Tree Preservation Foundation of of a logging company. This was wood as having an interlocked the Philippines, Inc. (TPFPI) on rekindled 12 years later in Bislig, grain, slightly durable, easy to 07 December 1980. The TPFPI’s Surigao del Sur, Mindanao when I treat, but difficult to saw (like ipil, marker also calls everyone to save was part of another team, this time molave and narig) and season. the tree and cherish it as a living to assess a highlead yarding system Because of these attributes, it souvenir of our past. A poster at employed by the PICOP Resources, can be used in the manufacture the DENR-Caraga Macrosomatic Inc. (PRI), then a timber licensee. of veneer and plywood, bridges, Clonal Nursery in Butuan City PRI’s concession contained a good mine timber, interior siding and Photos by R. J. R. Amatus Photos by R. J. Photo by M. U. Sy

(Left) The author poses at the base of the “giant toog” and beside is its marker (inset) located at Brgy. Alegria, San Francisco, Agusan del Sur. (Right) A toog tree rising above coconuts and some dipterocarps in Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

2 CANOPY International January - December 2013 panelling, and pallets. These end in the nurseries of the Department Where all other trees have gone to products of course could only be of Environment and Natural oblivion, the hitherto unpopular produced by appropriate tools and Resources (DENR)-Ecosystems tree towers above the rest, equipment which are relatively Research and Development Service unperturbed yet proudly serving expensive and found usually in (ERDS) in Bislig City, Surigao del its purpose on Mother Earth. a big company like what was Sur; Tagum City, Davao del Norte; That’s the toog tree, dubbed as mentioned earlier. and Nabunturan, Compostela the “biggest and tallest tree in the Valley. More than half a million Philippines.” Flowering and fruiting toog seedlings have been raised in induced by typhoons? these three nurseries since 2012, References significantly contributing to the An endemic tree in Sorsogon, target seedling production for the Bruzon, J.B. 1982. Gregarious Masbate, Cebu, Samar, Leyte, National Greening Program that flowering of Toog and Bono. Surigao, and Agusan (Rojo 1999), aims to plant 1. 5 billion trees in Canopy International 8(9), the toog is a potential tree species 1.5 million hectares of lands of Ecosystems Research and for reforestation, being a prolific the public domain from 2011- Development Bureau (ERDB), seeder though its flowering seems 2016. Some seedlings of the same College, Laguna, Philippines. irregular. It was last observed to species were also reported to exist have flowered in 1982 and about in the forest nurseries of two other Rojo, J.P. 1999. Revised Lexicon seven years earlier in 1975 (Bruzon regions (5 and 7) but the quantity of Philippine Trees. Forest 1982). Somehow there was a lull is not as much as those in the first Products Research and in the productivity of the tree three. Development Institute until a strong tropical typhoon (FPRDI), College 4031, named Sendong hit Mindanao in The fruiting of the toog trees can Laguna, Philippiines . December 2011, which, according be considered a blessing for the to our colleagues in the field, could NGP and similar undertakings. Sy, M.U. 1996. Are toog trees have spurred the flowering of the It came at a time (through not meant to be cut? Canopy trees in their areas particularly divine intervention) when the International 22(6). ERDB, in Agusan del Sur, Surigao del government and partners in the College 4031, Laguna, Sur, and the Compostela Valley NGP are deeply engaged in the Philippines Province. Just a year later in sourcing and production of quality December 2012 a stronger typhoon planting materials. Tesoro, F.T. and J.U. Aday. 1990. named Pablo hit the areas again Properties and uses of some perhaps further stimulating A very promising tree Philippine woods. FPRDI and the flowering of the said trees Philippine Wood Producers according to our colleagues. These Using toog, together with other Association (PWPA). phenomena (despite bringing endemic and indigenous tree havocs and huge losses to the species, to regreen our forest Acknowledgement affected areas in terms of lives lands is practical and logical. It and properties) were perceived to has peculiar characteristics that The author wishes to thank the have led to the production of fruits not all trees possess—its being following persons for sharing their and seeds from which planting difficult to saw. This trait draws time and valuable information for this materials were eventually raised away wood cutters and therefore it article: Forester Jeremias B. Bruzon, has a good chance of surviving and Forester Rustum Aguilos, and performing its share Mr. Renato Bacsal, Jr. of DENR- in the environment ERDS Caraga Region; Ms. Eva particularly in Bautista and Mr. Abdulrahman mitigating the adverse Damada of DENR-ERDS Region XI; effects of climate Mr. Alexander Borja; and Forester change by sequestering Roy Joven R. Amatus. carbon dioxide from the air. Furthermore, the tree’s “intrinsic beauty” is something to behold especially in areas where there once stood lush stands of The author is the OIC-Division Chief of Forest Ecosystem Photo by M. U. Sy various species of flora. Research Division (FERD), ERDB.

Potted toog seedlings in the forest nursery of DENR-ERDS, Maharlika, Bislig City, Surigao del Sur.

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 3 Gender roles assessment in the flood-prone barangays of Pinukpok, Kalinga Apayao Fe T. Ociones, Alvin F. Olvida, Mercedes R. Malabanan and Rose Anne C. Barruga

The rugged and harsh environment of steep valleys and river plains, and floodplains along the braided river networks of Chico River locates the flood-prone barangays of Cawagayan, Mapaco and Camalog in Pinukpok, Kalinga Apayao. The residential areas are delicately perched on a strip of flatland between the river and mountain range. Olvida A. F. Photo by

These areas, having flat topography The meandering stream of Chico River which locates the barangays of Cawagayan, Mapaco and rich soils, make them favorite and Camalog in Pinukpok, Kalinga Apayao. sites for agriculture and economic activities. However, large periodic Socioeconomic and political In livestock raising, men and women flooding can wreak havoc in the setting also share the task of feeding and communities causing mass shifting cleaning the stalls. Household chores of river terraces from their original like cooking, washing clothes and position to deposition sites located The three barangays depend on agriculture as their main source cleaning the house are also done by further downstream. This is what both male and female including their happened in the barangays of of income and economic activity. The rich soils in the terraced lands older children. Taking care of the Camalog and Mapaco. They lost their younger children, however, is mostly rice fields to the meandering streams adjacent to the Chico River mainly serve as rice lands that are minimally the women’s concern although the which shifted the rice lands to the men assist the children in doing other side of the river locating it planted to corn and vegetables. At the lower hill slopes and down slopes school assignments. Decision making downstream during a large flooding in the household is also shared and that occurred in the 1980s. of the grass-covered hills are also fertile lands that are being used as both sexes’ viewpoints and opinions kaingin areas planted with corn, are considered. In some cases, even, In November 2011, a gender the women get the upper hand assessment was conducted in the said bananas, root crops and vegetables. The barangays abound with coconuts and they jokingly disclose that this three barangays of Pinukpok, Kalinga happens because otherwise the Apayao. The study looked into the which are sources of copra and other coconut products. These areas, men will be “outside the kulambo gender roles in the community, (mosquito net)” come sleeping time. types of work and vulnerability however, are limited especially in Camalog because most of the hills to environmental hazards and Daily routine of most men climate change. The study included have shallow soils and only grasses focus group discussions (FGDs) can survive. Many of the households and women that tackled the gender roles and in the three barangays have backyard Mrs. Maria Ulap of Barangay activities, their participation, livestock production as their Cawagayan wakes up at 4:00 AM to vulnerabilities and adaptation alternative source of income. They cook food and wash their clothes. At strategies to the impacts of flooding raise pigs, ducks, goats and cows. 6:00 AM, she prepares her children and to climate change. Participants for school. At 8:00 AM, she works were mostly rice farmers, barangay Gender roles and activities with her husband in their rice field. officials and barangay workers. In Cawagayan and Mapaco, When they get home, she and her husband feed their pigs and clean the A reconnaissance of the physical productive and reproductive roles stalls. Mang David Bulalit, also from environment and spot interviews are shared by the men and women. Barangay Cawagayan, wakes up at were conducted. The biophysical Farming is being done by both sexes, 4:30 AM to feed their pigs and cows survey and interviews provided with the men doing the heavy jobs and at 6:00 AM helps his wife with information on the link between the of tilling and preparing the field the household chores. For the rest of physical and social aspects in the for planting and the women help in the day, he works in their rice field communities. This was verified by planting, weeding, and harvesting. and cornfield. This is the typical daily the FGDs.

4 CANOPY International January - December 2013 routine of men and women in the (Left) Many households barangay. Sundays are reserved for in the three barangays church activities, family recreation have backyard livestock and community activities. production as an alternative livelihood Community activities include clean source. (Right) The and green projects where they plant women in Camalog on trees and nutritious plants like their way home from their malunggay (Moringa oleifera). Other rice and corn fields. activities are barangay clean-up and search-and-destroy project that involves clearing of breeding areas of mosquitoes. Photos by F. T. Ociones either going to their kaingin and rice spells, productive activities have Barangay Camalog, the most critical fields or going home to do household been greatly affected. The effects in location, has a unique gender chores. include loss of rice harvest, animal situation. The community is situated and plant health problems. Extreme near the junction of two big river weather conditions have also exposed systems, Chico and Saltan. During Political and biophysical the populace to health problems the 1980s, a big portion of their rice influences in the and reproductive activities are also field adjacent to the river was eroded communities affected. Both sexes are therefore downstream by big floods, taking vulnerable to this biophysical away their main source of livelihood. The political setting in the three barangays is a positive influence influence since men and women both conduct productive, reproductive and According to their barangay captain, in the communities. The barangay community activities. Mrs. Soledad Bongon, this situation captains and their councils are forced almost 70% of the men in seen as figures to be depended It is also because of the challenging the barangay to work outside of on, especially during times of environment and its limited their place, even in far provinces to environmental hazards. In Camalog, resources that women in the work in construction sites and other a community that is considered a communities have been empowered, labor-intensive jobs or as skilled woman’s turf, their female barangay making them almost equal to men in workers, just to be able to continue captain is not only regarded as a all aspects of family life and gender to support their family. It would take political figure, but as a mother and roles. Women had to be strong and months before they could return to friend to all the housewives whose at par with men to sustain family their families. Meantime, women husbands are not around to assume and household needs. In this case, are left to take care of all household the role as head of family. The three the social side had to conform and responsibilities. As a result, women barangays have established active adapt to the unrelenting climatic in the community take on the role of hazard brigades headed by the and hazard-prone environment. As man and woman in the household, barangay captain. Barangay officials an adaptive mechanism, women had handling the productive activities also initiate community activities to increase their participation in to finance household expenses for the environment like barangay productive and community activities while their husbands are away. clean-up projects, reforestation and while men learned to assist in Moreover, the women are in charge bayanihan. reproductive activities. of reproductive and community activities. The biophysical environment poses the biggest influence to the The productive and reproductive divide had been breached and This situation is exemplified by roles of men and women in the as a result, marginalization, the daily routine of Mrs. Maricel three barangays along Chico River. subordination, stereotyping and Malagyab who wakes up at 4:00 AM The harsh environment of Chico discrimination of women had become to cook and do other household work. River that continuously changes a non-issue. Men had learned to At 5:30, she prepares her children the physical structure and nature recognize women’s important for school. At 7:00 AM, she works in of the land through flooding and contribution in the household and the rice fields, then, at 10 AM, goes accentuated sedimentation had respect her point of views and to the school to sell foodstuff. In the played a big role and influence in decisions. afternoon, she would cook food items shaping the people’s way of life and to sell in school the next day. At their roles in all aspects of family 4:00 PM, she would chop or gather and community life. The constant fuelwood to be used for cooking exposure to floods and soil erosion dinner. In Mrs. Marieta Teodosio’s also present a big challenge in the case, aside from working in the populace. Negative influences include rice fields, she also attends to her loss of income, land resources, livestock and climbs coconut trees health problems and livelihood The first author is Science Research for copra harvesting. A typical scene insecurities. For example, in the Specialist II and the co-authors are Science Research Analysts of the FERD, ERDB. in Barangay Camalog are groups advent of climate change that had of women walking along the road, brought more frequent floods and wearing working clothes. They are harsher weather conditions like dry

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 5 Visayas trail: Exploring the economic value of bamboos in Region 7 Aida B. Lapis, Ph.D., Solon Bagalihog and Armando M. Palijon, Ph.D.

Bamboos, the tallest and one and socioeconomic status of most known for bamboo huts, household of the most popular groups rural folks in the country. Up to materials and furniture and of species of the grass family the 21st century, many Filipinos handicrafts. Bamboo-based cottage (Poaceae), have been an still use the bahay kubo not only as industries flourish in the region. integral part of culture and common family home but largely lifestyle particularly in Asian as an extra and extended place for In Cebu countries. simple family gatherings. While most Filipinos would have a concrete Both the poor and rich countries or semi-concrete permanent houses, substantially benefit from bamboos it is common that a bahay kubo is because of their multiple uses as set nearby for mid-day siestas and materials for construction, furniture late afternoon chit chat. Affluent and handicraft making, animal feeds, Filipinos include bamboo huts not farming, and alternative medicines. only as accent in landscapes and The inherent beauty and versatility gardens but also as place for rest and of bamboos and bamboo products relaxation. created interests in the global scene. Exploring bamboos in

Bamboos are now being processed Central Visayas A. G. Jimenez Photo by M. into modern products such as the engineered bamboos (e-bamboos) We visited island provinces of that are highly competing with wood Central Visayas, namely Cebu, Bohol, products in price and performance. Negros Occidental and Siquijor, to A sample of a modified version of bahay-kubo which document the bamboo technology, includes a bedroom and receiving area. Technologies on the production of indigenous ways of using bamboos bamboo oil, coal and pellets, charcoal and various bamboo-based products briquettes and their by-products in the region. Samples of the bamboo In Banilad, Cebu, the bamboo have also been developed. Textile products were collected for the furniture and handicrafts for sale production from bamboo for clothing Bamboo Gallery of ERDB. are displayed along the road. Living and other uses have been perfected room furniture is the main feature in China. Other modern products More than three decades ago, of the display. Parts of the bamboo are also being developed in countries DENR-ERDB implemented a chairs are made from selected where bamboo is abundant. UNDP-FAO funded project on portions of the bamboo culms. Aling Bamboo Production Research Gloria, a roadside bamboo furniture Currently, the country is trying and Development. Minglanilla, vendor, disclosed that the legs of its best to maximize the use of Cebu was one of the locations chairs are from the butt portion bamboos by engaging in plantation for the establishment of a 7-ha while the seat parts are from the development, encouraging industries pilot plantation of kawayan tinik mid-part of the culm. The topmost to venture in production of modern (Bambusa blumeana). The project portion (about one-third) of the culm bamboo products and utilizing them focused on demonstration and is not used for furniture. It is sold as in clean energy generation and many application of the technology on pole for PhP 30 to customers who other initiatives. bamboo propagation using culm are engaged in pig roasting (lechon) cuttings and the establishment business. This portion of the culm The Philippine Bamboo Foundation, and management of plantation is split and sold as bamboo slats for Inc., for example, has re-discovered with Minglanilla community chicken and animal shelter. Bamboo bamboo suitability as material for as participant-beneficiary. The ladder of about 10 m high made from carving and is now becoming a community is reaping the fruits of mid-portion of the culm is sold at popular expression of the immense the project. The bamboo plantation PhP 1,000. Only the mid-portion is talent of local artisan in the country. has become a continuous source of used because it is lighter to carry and edible shoots for the community. move when used in constructing two- The first constructed local shelter The shoots have superb quality. They storey houses in the locality. in the country, the bahay kubo are highly nutritious. Moreover, the (small house), is composed of 100% plantation has been the sustainable In Liloan City, Cebu, the bahay kubo bamboo material, that is, from post source of culms for the cottage is highly modified and modernized. to roof. This expresses the ingenuity industries and also culm and branch All rooms, including bedrooms and of Filipino architecture that best cuttings for bamboo propagation and receiving area, are enlarged and have fits the tropical climatic conditions plantation establishment. double walls. Each bahay kubo with a dimension of 12 ft x 12 ft is sold for The provinces in Central Visayas are

6 CANOPY International January - December 2013 PhP 75,000, while a 7 ft x 7 ft hut Slight increase in price of an item In Buenavista Street of Dumaguete costs PhP 16,000. The very durable is allowed if trimmings of split City, a family bamboo enterprise butt portions of the culms are used rattans and additional finishing was found. It is owned by Mrs. as posts of the hut. The poles cut like floral paintings and etchings Mely Tua, a former OFW who hails are air-dried to deter the occurrence are asked by the customers. Aling from Pampanga and migrated of bio-deteriorating agents such as Dalena prays for bulk orders from to Dumaguete City after her powder post beetles and molds. customers for higher income so that unfortunate experience from the she can support the education of her Mt. Pinatubo eruption in 1991. She Despite being popular in the city as children. decided to put up the bamboo-hut a secondary resting and relaxation making business in Dumaguete City. area, the bahay kubo has not been With the proximity of Tagbilaran to She employed local artisans from adopted as a long-term housing Panglao where tourism is booming, Pampanga. Using her earnings as unit. Although bamboo culms are Aling Dalena foresees a wider market OFW, she and her husband (also relatively affordable and can also for her bamboo products. Foreigners an OFW in Saudi Arabia) leased a last for decades, the city government have bought bamboo products that property and ventured on bamboo has not included bamboo as major bear the artistry of local artisans. hut making and wood crafts. alternative material for housing. They also prefer furniture that is Management of this business was clean, well-polished and finished solely done by Mely. In one instance, In Bohol with natural colored varnish. she was approached by Mr. Franz of They like bamboo handicrafts Buglas and proposed a partnership In Tagbilaran, Bohol, varied displays and furniture as decorations and for a bamboo business venture. of bamboo products such as beds, household fixtures. However, such proposal did not dividers, sala set and reclining chairs materialize. She instead agreed that were also observed along the national Antiquerra is also one of the main she will sell the bamboo products road. However, bamboo furniture sources of bamboo products. It locally while Mr. Franz will focus on makers in this province are not very is rich in other non-timber forest exporting. Mely disclosed to us that selective of the bamboo culm parts species whose raw materials are the design of the bamboo products used. The local customers prefer used for cottage industries. It is emanated from her group, thus, the finished products with burned art considered as the central town for arrangement of market outlets. works using blow torch. handicraft making using varied materials such as rattan (Calamus For ten years now, Mely has been One of the stalls is operated by Aling and Daemonorops), nito (Lygodium making and selling bamboo huts. Dalena, a mother of four children. species), bamboo, bamban (Donax According to her, the local kawayan Her income is mainly on selling cannaeformis), buri (Corypha tinik culms are stronger and more bamboo products. She sells single, utan), and coconut (Cocos nucifera). durable compared with those from double and queen size bamboo beds Various handicrafts produced from Luzon. Each portion of bamboo at a price of PhP 600, PhP 750 and households are normally sold during culms is used for a particular part PhP 800 per piece, respectively. market day, locally called tiangge. of a bamboo hut: the butt portion Bigger sizes of bamboo beds can Some of these products are brought for posts while the middle part for be ordered separately at higher to Tagbilaran, Cebu and Manila. the walls and floorings. She air- prices ranging from PhP1,500 to dries poles and orders only bamboo PhP 2,500 per piece. She disclosed In Negros Occidental materials from oldfolks in the area that her income from a sale of who have a wide experience in single-sized bamboo bed would In Dumaguete City, we learned cutting mature and high-quality be enough to buy 2 kgs of rice for from Forester Raul Racer of DENR- bamboo poles. She mentioned that her family’s daily meals. Aling CENRO II that bamboo is crafted for there is no shortage of bamboo Dalena cannot just change the local coffin. The shop supplies bamboo poles in Dumaguete. Her bamboo prices since these are prices agreed coffin to St. Peter funeral Homes. products are well-liked in the upon by the vendors themselves. It also plans to export the coffin market because the customers are to Europe. A German bamboo assured of durability and quality. enthusiast ordered a prototype The bamboo products are sufficiently of bamboo coffin from the shop seasoned (air-dried), treated with as green product for interment. preservatives like urethane and Since bamboo is biodegradable, the beautifully varnished. German buyer surmised a shorter period of degradation and becomes She sells double-walled bamboo added nutrients for the soil hence huts with a size of 8 ft x 8 ft and he prefers the bamboo coffin. The furnished with sala set; and beds at manufacturer’s price for bamboo PhP 65,000. To completely finish coffin is PhP 15,000 per piece. The one bamboo unit, it normally takes first bamboo coffin product was 1 ½ months. The smaller hut with a already shipped to Germany but the Photo by M. A. G. Jimenez Photo by M. next orders have not been placed yet. Bamboo chairs are one of the favorite products see page 12 of foreign visitors in Bohol.

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 7 Waste biomass statistics in the Philippines Engr. Santiago R. Baconguis and Analyn R. Pasagdan

The Philippines has an is endowed with an extensive livestock The technologies give an opportunity to abundance of abandoned bio- industry that could contribute to huge dispose cellulosic wastes and at the same waste resources from cellulosic biomass utilization. time clean the community of unwanted residues of agricultural wastes, conserve the forest and reduce production and processing, The Department of Energy (DOE), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, animal wastes, forest biomass Department of Environment and and provide alternative/additional residues, urban-industrial wastes Natural Resources (DENR), Department livelihood to the urban and rural poor and aquatic biomass. of Science and Technology (DOST), communities. Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia- As early as 10 years ago, sugarcane Malaysia-Philippines - East ASEAN Rice, corn and coconut are the most bagasse and other agro-forestry wastes Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Region, abundant crops planted with a total accounted for 3.5 % and 5.6 % of the state colleges and universities (SCUs), area of about 9M ha. The major national energy mix, respectively research and development institutions, abandoned biomass presented in this (Elauria et al. 2002) and this nongovernment organizations (NGOs) article are: rice residues (rice hull/husk, contribution was expected to increase and other entities are currently straw), sugarcane residues (bagasse, due to continued increase in fuel prices. promoting the development and sugarcane tops and leaves) coconut With the passing of the Biofuels Act in widespread use of biomass resources residues, forestry residues and urban 2006, the Philippines has started to by pilot testing, demonstration and waste. take measures to develop biofuels and commercial use of biomass charcoal other renewable energy sources. briquetting, combustion system, Abandoned biomass in the gasification and other systems for power Philippines Biomass as defined by Bun (1994) is generation, steam and heat generation organic products from agriculture including the use of biomass composting Coconut Residues and forestry systems developed to for organic fertilizer production, hand- provide food, fuel, and organic matter made paper products, handicrafts, The Philippines has the largest number from captured sewage and waste animal feeds, and other useful products. of coconut trees in the world. Half a treatment facilities. The Philippines, billion of these grow on 3 M ha across an agricultural country that grows The production and use of charcoal the islands. crops, generates a huge amount of by- briquettes and gasifiers in the country products and residues that may be used is increasing due to continuous increase The major coconut wastes include to generate energy and develop other in fuel prices, availability of technology coconut shell (12%), coconut husks products. This is still a huge untapped and waste biomass resources especially (35%) coconut coir dust and coconut resource. At the same time, the country rice hull and corn cobs for the gasifiers. fronds. Among the four, coconut shell

Table 1. Breakdown of waste biomass by region in the Philippines in 2010-2011 (in metric tons). Coconut Fronds, Sugarcane Sugarcane Tops Regions Coconut Shell Coconut Husk Coconut Coir Buko wastes* etc. Rice Hull/ Husk Rice Straw Corn Cob Corn Stover Bagasse and Leaves

CAR 137.10 304.36 91.31 45.70 682.22 85,789.80 428,949 49,664.88 96,813.69 2,565.00 2,565.00

NCR - - - 80,254.00 ------

Region 1 5,606.84 12,447.18 3,734.15 1,868.95 27,900.69 320,562.80 1,602,814 88,049.21 171,882.79 6,602.65 6.602.65

Region 2 10,048.04 22,417.65 6,725.30 3,366.01 50,249.77 428,953.20 2,144,766 363,582.95 708,746.50 86,935.50 86,935.50

Region 3 31,566.35 70,077.29 21,023.19 21,044.23 157,442.31 523,216.60 2,616,083 27,459.51 53,527.90 267,240.00 267,240.00

Region 4A 209,195.66 464,414.35 139,324.31 139,463.77 1,040,997.43 79,838.60 399,193 13,065.44 25,468.97 437,040.00 437,040.00

Region 4B 98,882.89 212,860.01 63,858.00 32,960.96 492,060.09 196,333.80 981,669 19,107.27 37,246.55 - -

Region 5 190,430.70 422,756.14 126,826.84 63,476.90 947,619.41 214,183.40 1,070,917 48,810.68 95,148.56 82,846.65 82,846.65

Region 6 70,911.74 157,424.06 47,227.22 23,637.25 325,870.31 449,009.60 2,205,038 70,350.71 137,137.39 2,553,924.25 2,553,924.25

Region 7 64,457.56 143,095.77 42,928.73 21,485.85 320,753.08 64,572.40 372,862 40,246.47 78,453.92 628,262.10 628,262.10

Region 8 884,540.92 589,104.25 176,731.28 88,454,09 1,320,493.23 196,803.40 984,017 19,066.18 37,166.46 126,185.55 126,185.55

Region 9 256,952.71 570,435.02 171,130.51 85,650.90 1,278,645.64 124,440.60 622,203 45,420.66 88,540.27 1,473.00 1,473.00

Region 10 260,574.68 585,135.79 175,540.74 87,858.23 1,311,597.80 122,198.00 610,990 275,171.22 536,402.04 829,455.00 829,455.00

Region 11 395,380.00 877,743.59 263,323,.08 131,793.33 1,967,486.16 83,308.60 416,543 43,405.35 84,611.75 109,982.25 109,982.25

Region 12 2,177.80 287,801.01 86,340.57 21,606.76 695,116.20 248,829.60 1,244,148 265,715.76 517,970.15 175,893.00 175,893.00

CARAGA 146,132.00 324,413.05 97,323.92 48,710.67 727,180.68 83,399.40 416,997 17,180.27 33,490.17 46.50 46.50

ARMM 188,213.24 417,833.58 125,350.07 62,737.77 936,585.35 115,374.60 576,873 180,842.05 352,522.49 14,518.68 14,518,68

TOTAL 2,419,819.23 5,158,233.10 1,547,479.03 914,415.37 11,300,680.37 3,122,631.02 16,694,062.00 1,567,138.61 3,055,129.60 5,322,970.13 5,322,970.13

8 CANOPY International January - December 2013 is the most widely used but the reported utilization rate is very low.

The mature coconut tree contains about 40 fronds and sheds its mature fronds from 12 to 20 per year depending on the variety and weighs about 10 kg each. It will take 5-6 years before the fronds mature which is one of the field Bagasse is a major biomass waste biomass. After removing the leaves, it is produced and mostly utilized by the usually used as firewood for household sugar mills for their boilers amounted to from new cooking. In 2010, the total coconut more than 5.32 M mt in 2010. Bagasse plantations residues amounted to 21.34 M metric production is 643,900 t/ha (321,950 is estimated to tons (mt). t/ha, dried). Cane trash is another increase 6.9 M m3 to 24.78 M m3 biomass waste from sugar production thereby increasing abandoned biomass Rice Residues that has not been utilized in the same production. scale as that of bagasse. Annual yield for The Filipinos are among the world’s cane trash is 391,486 t/ha (274,040 t/ Urban Solid Wastes biggest rice consumers. Rice ha dry) or 5.32 M mt in 2010. consumption is increasing at an average The Philippines generates more than of 2% per year and rice production Tubang Bakod (Jatropha curcas) 11,000 tons of solid waste per day. increased from 5.32 M tons in 1970 to About half of that is produced in Metro 12.39 M tons in 2000. At only about 1% blend of biodiesel Manila alone. This translates to more from tubang bakod, it would generate than 4 M t of solid wastes disposed Rice hull is a processing by-product of 300,000 mt of wastes in 2008. This similar to that experienced in Metro rice milling and accounts for about 20% would produce an equivalent of 75,000 Manila. Most of these biomass can be of the rice production or 3.12 M mt in mt of charcoal briquettes valued at converted into usable energy careers 2011. Rice straws, on the other hand, about P1.1 B at current local price. (biogas, charcoal briquettes, etc.). are field wastes after the harvesting of This industry alone would need 947 rice. It amounts to 16.69 M mt. The producers using a 300 kg per day Livestock Manure country also has more than 12,000 rice capacity manual briquettors, or 142 mills spread throughout the country. producers using a 2-t/day capacity The poultry and livestock industries in These processing centers are the point hydraulic briquettors. This would the Philippines continued to grow to sources of rice hull each year. create additional jobs in the locality address the demand for animal protein and downstream enterprises and to support the increasing population. Corn Residues businesses. As the fuel blend increases, Among the poultry and livestock the processing wastes will also increase animals are cattle, swine, carabao, goat, Corn ranks next to rice, not only in proportionately. chicken and duck. terms of area devoted to its production but also as a staple food of about 20% Forestry Residues The large animal population showed of the total Filipino population. Corn a positive growth rate between 0.76 has also been used as an important More than 15 M ha of land in the to 5.19% during the last 15 years. The ingredients in animal feeds. Philippines is devoted to forestland estimated amount of wastes from the and the actual forest cover totals 5.4 M animal production alone was more Corn cob, a processing by-product of ha only. The Philippines, through the than 60 M mt per year. The waste corn, and corn stover are field waste DENR and other agencies, is exerting treatment processes in the country after harvesting and often burnt in the all its efforts to rehabilitate the denuded have been minimal and continue to field. Corn cobs account for about 1.57 lands of this country and thereby pose environmental pollution in many M mt in 2011. Corn stover on the other significantly contributing to biomass growth areas in the country. hand amounts to 3.06 M mt. production. The tree harvesting wastes and residues amounted to only 104,000 Other Forms of Farm Wastes Sugarcane Residues m3 compared with more than 5.2 M m3 in logging wastes in 1979. If the area Other farm residues (in metric tons) With the passing of Biofuels Act of previously devoted to forest cover is to which could be used for bioenergy 2006, the sugar industry is the major be replanted, this would be a significant development are: coffee hull source of ethanol for e-gasoline and addition to the country’s sustainable (28,324.41), peanut shell (5,924.76), domestic sugar will become a major energy resource from biomass. pili shell (3,954.27), oil palm residues industry. Large tracts of land are (675,660.00) and durian shells devoted to sugarcane production The projected established forest (31,059.39) for a total of 744,922.83 mt amounting to more than 362,000 ha plantation will increase from 2.06 in 2010. today, decreasing slightly from 372,399 million ha in 2005 to 3.01 M ha in 2015 ha in 1995. (PCARRD 1994). Wood production

see page 10

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 9 Waste biomass statistics in the Philippines..... from page 9

General competing utilization generation, with quality specifications and improvement, biomass material of biowastes in accordance to the Philippine National handling and processing and biomass Standard (PNS). energy application (biofuel, bioenergy, Due to abundance of biowastes in the products, etc.); country, various energy conversion • Carbonization of Cellulosic technologies have been developed Biomass – Charcoal is traditionally • Lack of local experts and experience, and adopted under local conditions. used as household fuel and for other and funding in carrying out R & D on For fuelwood and charcoal, designs of applications. To reduce cutting of trees biomass technology and development of different stove was also made for the from the forest, charcoal briquette equipment for biomass utilization; different kinds of biomass. Some of the making from agro-forest wastes is technologies used in the Philippines are gaining public acceptance. This will put • Lack of updated information on (Chiu et al. 2002): into good use the abandoned materials biomass utilization technology for rural that are often dumped into the rivers and industrial applications; • Direct combustion – This makes and community surroundings. There use of wood and agricultural residues are many possible applications of • Inadequate information on the such as rice hull and corn cobs from carbonized materials such as bio- characteristics of different types of the mill and wood wastes and saw fertilizer, water quality improvement, biomass and proper processing and dusts from furniture shops and wood water filtration, heavy metal recovery, utilization; and processing plants; co-generation using etc. At the same time, liquid smoke coconut shells in copra mills, bagasse recovery is now possible during • Lack of product standards and reliance in sugar mills, kiln drying of lumber, carbonization to reduce if not eliminate of imported products and technology. tobacco curing, bakeries, restaurants, emissions and used as foliar fertilizer, resorts and other industries for insecticide, insect repellant, fungicide, 2. Socio-Economic Problems generation of heat and electrical energy. medicine, food preservation and other Many direct combustion systems are applications. • Biomass resources are scattered in already operating commercially in the the countryside, causing difficulties Philippines. • Charcoal Briquetting of Carbonized in the collection, transportation and Biomass – Low cost equipment management; • Gasification – Biomass undergoes are now available for community- a process to obtain fuel gas which based charcoal briquetting project. • Difficulty in sourcing out of fund for can either be burned in a boiler to DENR has piloted locally designed biomass utilization projects especially produce steam for laundry and hot equipment and technology (200-300 for the rural communities where water in hotels and resorts or used for kg/day capacity) for community-based biomass resources abound; generating mechanical power using a forest management and solid waste suitable engine. The resulting product management projects implemented • Lack of policies that provide incentives are called gasifiers and coupled to fuel by local government units. This will for the development of biomass as suitable engines and are used primarily reduce the volume of cellulosic wastes alternative and renewable sources of for sugar, rice and corn milling and in the community , and at the same time energy and/or as energy conservation irrigation. generate livelihood for the community. strategy and many other applications;

With high cost of fossil fuel-based • Other uses – Include production • Lack of institutional mechanism to energy, availability of trained of compost, organic fertilizer and soil promote biomass utilization as energy technicians and sustained promotion conditioner, animal feeds, hand-made source (especially from small power in the countryside, the use of gasifiers paper, toys and gifts and other novelty producers) and as source of many other using biomass may be widely adopted. items. products;

• Biogas – Biogas technology is Obstacles in the adoption • Biomass fuel and products have not already a commercial venture in the of biomass utilization been considered for investment as an Philippines. This is widely promoted by technologies strategy for hunger eradication, poverty the Department of Agriculture (DA)- alleviation, forest conservation and Bureau of Animal Industry and other There is misconception that biomass- environmental protection; SCUs that offer agricultural engineering based energy are not as reliable as the courses. DENR also promotes it for conventional energy sources. Some of • Poor implementation of existing the mitigation of wastes and GHGs the barriers that need to be addressed policies in the restriction of illegal from landfills, waste dumpsites and the are the following: collection of wood in the forest for livestock industry. fuelwood and charcoal production; 1. Technical Obstacles • Liquid Biofuels – As defined in the • Traditional habits of biomass Biofuels Act of 2006, biofuel shall refer • Lack of information/access on utilization which is inefficient to bioethanol and biodiesel and other the technology and appropriate fuels made from biomass and primarily equipment for biomass production used for motive, thermal and power see page 15

10 CANOPY International January - December 2013 Does it ever occur to you that, activities that can stress out trees like humans, trees feel stress, include the following: too? Believe it or not, trees • Improper spacing of planted trees cannot function well when leading to competition for nutrient, under stress. soil moisture and sunlight

Trees are one of the most important • Soil compaction due to concrete resources that sustain humans, pavements, roads or walkways animals and other life forms. Like us, trees must be in good condition • Pounding nails on tree trunks to be productive. However, due to several factors, it is inevitable for • Use of trees as lamp post which trees to become stressed. Once stress affect physiological processes of strikes, physiological processes in trees like photosynthesis trees are often affected and this may result in growth impairment. In this • “Hilling up”around the perimeter sense, stress is a very significant factor of trees resulting in root when it comes to the behavioral and suffocation ecological traits of trees. Ways of dealing with stress How do trees get stressed out Trees have the ability to defend When trees are stressed out, disease themselves from stress and diseases. development is likely to occur. Nevertheless, repeated exposure to There are two major categories Trees stress will leave them vulnerable. Thus, of stress: the abiotic and biotic it is better to prevent stress the best components. under way we can. Abiotic components are also called the Proper pruning is one of the best ways non-living components. These include pressure to restrain progress of disease. Branch weather, temperature, moisture and stubs are best pruned right after a humidity. These are collectively termed typhoon incident. as environmental factors and are Jeniffer N. Pascual beyond human control. For instance, Application of protective coating during typhoon, branches may break like coal tar on pruned branches is due to strong wind. The broken branch out. Burning garbage under the trees, advised. Coal tar serves as sealant to left attached to the main trunk is called suffocating trees with barbed wires and a cut branch to prevent the entrance a branch stub. Branch stubs are open pounding nails on tree trunks are just a of bacteria and fungi that may cause wounds and may serve as entry points few examples. diseases. to decay organism and may further aggravate unfavorable health condition In some cases, tree surgery is advised in trees. When do we say that trees are to trees that are under a high level under stress of stress with multiple diseases but On the other hand, biotic components have the high chance of survival. Tree or the living components include If trees can whine and complain like surgery is a conservation process insects, animals, and humans. Insects we do, a day will not be enough to hear where tree cavities and decayed parts are commonly observed in trees. them out. are excavated. The concept is similar to The most common types are the treating tooth cavities wherein filling wood borers, bark borers, ants and Trees under stress can be easily is done to preserve the tooth. In trees, termites. Insects are relatively small recognized once we know the signs. once the decayed part is removed, in size but can cause major damage to Here are some of the tell-tale signs of the hollowed part will be filled with trees. One incidence of massive insect trees that are in a state of stress. a concrete mixture. The concrete will infestation here in the Philippines was then enhance the tree’s vigor and Ips calligraphus or the pine engraver Wilting of leaves, breaking of branches, mechanical strength. beetle in Baguio City, Benguet. The water logging, and presence of cavities beetles attacked numerous pine trees are some indicators of tree stress Ethics also plays a vital role in dealing without being noticed. The residents usually caused by natural calamities. with tree care. Among the simple ways only paid attention when the pine tree Furthermore, since trees are primary to prevent trees from getting stressed needles started to wilt and the trees source of food for many individuals, are the following: died. More so, animals in general insects and wildlife devour almost all are also vectors of stress. This can parts of a tree. If observed in large • Avoid driving nails on tree trunks be attributed to the manner of how populations, there is a high chance that especially during election period. frequent animals transfer from one the tree is under pressure. place to another. Some tree cavities • Tree cavities should be treated and serve as habitat to snakes and birds. Unconsciously, humans also cause not used as trash bins. Human activities are also one of the stress to trees. Examples of human primary reasons why trees get stressed see page 12

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 11 Visayas trail: Exploring the economic value of bamboos in Region 7..... from page 7 size of 5 ft x 5 ft can be completed in However, for bamboo based- to sustainably support the bamboo three weeks. industries to prosper in the region, industries. This is also stipulated the following issues should be in EO 879 which is supported by When Mely started her bamboo appropriately addressed: Memorandum Circular No. 30. business, she employed 12 workers from Pampanga with free a) Bamboos have to be included in The Philippines is committed to accommodation. Recently, she the list of construction materials reforest at least 500,000 ha using reduced the number of workers to in the building code of the city or bamboo species. This is part of the only three because of significant municipality. ASEAN commitment of 20 M ha new decrease in customers. She even forest by 2020 aimed at improving contemplated on closing her shop b) Technology on prolonging the the environment. and planned to return to Pampanga. serviceability of bamboo should be She chose to maintain her shop for disseminated nationwide. e) Strengthen the link of bamboo- sentimental reasons. based industries with local and c) Support from government and foreign markets and introduce In Siquijor private institutions should be new products like the bamboo art, provided to lift up bamboos on a bamboo coffins and others that are The last leg of our trip was in Brgy. higher level. Financial structure to uniquely from the country should Libo, Siquijor. Bamboos are widely support bamboos as a rising industry continuosuly promoted. used as materials for building fish must be made available and easily cages the community is a fishing accessible to communities. Acknowledgement village. The bamboo poles are split and their silicious outer skin are The recent Executive Order 879, This brief account on bamboos in the removed and then woven into a which provides for the creation of Visayas was written with the assistance fish cage. The fish cages are placed the Philippine Bamboo Industry of DENR Region 7 - Dr. Emma Melana in the fishing sites for a week or Development Council (PBIDC) in and staff. several weeks. The fishes caught are the provinces and regions aimed harvested by pulling up the cages at promoting the bamboo industry We also would like to thank Ms. Maria from the waters. The bamboo fish development project, should be able Aurora Gutierrez-Jimenez for her photo cages can last for 6 months to one to support technically, financially documentation of bamboo items and year. Compared with other islands and materially the existing and new her assistance during this field work. we visited in Visayas, this community bamboo-based industries. highly benefits from bamboo by utilizing it as a material for fishing The stipulation directing the activity. Department of Education to use bamboo for at least 25% of the The first author is Scientist I and OIC- Conclusion school desk and other furniture Division Chief of Grassland and Degraded requirements of public elementary Areas Ecosystems Research Division Our observations and interviews with and secondary schools to prioritize (GDAERD), ERDB-DENR. The second author is Science Research Specialist bamboo entrepreneurs in Central the use of bamboo furniture, fixtures of the Ecosystems Research and Visayas have proven that bamboo is a and other construction requirements Development Service (ERDS) in DENR wealth contributing to household and need to be implemented. Region 7 and the third author is Professor local economy in the region. at the College of Forestry and Natural d) Establish a new plantation to Resources, University of the Philippines augment supply from natural and Los Baños, Laguna. artificial bamboo stands in order

Trees under pressure..... from page 11 References • Refrain from adorning trees adds stress to trees and aggravates with Christmas lights and other air pollution. Shortle, W.C. and K.R. Dudzik. 2011. lighting materials. Light triggers Wood decay in living and dead Trees are an essential part of our photosynthesis – one of the major trees: A pictorial overview. US existence - from the air we breathe, to physiological processes of trees that Forest Service, 11 Campus Blvd. should only happen during day time. the food we eat, they provide us the basic needs for survival. Let us do our Suite 200, Newton square PA. • Refrain from engraving names part in giving back what our trees had on tree trunk and branches. The given us. A challenge is now left with www.sevacall.com/blog/2013/03/tree- carvings will serve as open wounds us: with a keen eye and a caring heart, removal/how-to-detect-decay-in- and trigger decay organism attack. let us be watchful of our actions. A trees/Aug. 14, 2013. simple gesture may save a tree’s life • Burning of garbage beneath the trees - and yours. The author is Science Research Assistant of the FERD, ERDB.

12 CANOPY International January - December 2013 Pest-free seedlings for a greener Philippines Veronica O. Sinohin

Are your seedlings in the Folding – refers to the wrapping, 5. Ensure that irrigation water nursery healthy? Are you enclosing or enveloping as in a fold by is free of pathogens and other familiar of insect damage and an insect contaminants such as pesticides. disease symptoms that might affect your seedlings? Mining – damage caused by larvae of 6. To decrease the probability of certain insects that consume interval infestation, collect and remove The ERDB is tasked by DENR to leaf tissue while leaving the thin, dead plants and debris frequently. produce quality planting materials papery skin of the epidermis. (PQPM) for the implementation of the 7. Limit the entry of visitors from an National Greening Program (NGP). Disease Symptoms infested area. Quality seedlings are supposed to sustain good growth and development Symptoms are the external and 8. Disinfect all tools, footwear and when they are outplanted in the field. internal evidences of the disturbance equipment before you enter the ERDB ensures pest-free seedlings in the normal development and nursery, especially if a pathogen is by planting seeds collected from function of a host plant. The following present on the other area. genetically superior mother trees, are commonly observed in the from cloned seedlings, and with the nursery: 9. Dispose infested soil or growing application of good nursery practices media carefully so as not to and management including pest 1. Spot – a definite diseased area contaminate new plants or soil. diagnosis. usually on the leaves; a limited lesion usually sunken on the leaves. 10. Destroy or sanitize infested plant Pest Diagnosis wastes by burning, composting or 2. Blight – death of some area of the treating with heat to kill the pest. Pests include animals, humans, leaves or the whole leaves. weeds, insects and pathogens that Basic knowledge on pests is important cause injury due to continuous 3. Wilting – drooping of foliage from for nursery operators. Remember the interaction of plant and stress factors. water deficiency, commonly as a passage in Matthew 12:33; “to have Diagnosis is the identification of a result of the blocking of the plant’s good fruit you must have a healthy specific pest through the characteristic conduction system. tree; if you have a poor tree, you will damages and symptoms including have bad fruit. A tree is known by the other factors related to pest 4. Die-back – progressive dying of kind of fruit it bears”, which is the development. Actual observation in stems and branches from the tip very essence of NGP. the nursery should be done to find downward. evidences of damages and symptoms. It is, therefore, recommended 5. Chlorosis – characterized by that good nursery practices be Symptoms are directly observable yellowing often associated with implemented particularly on early abnormalities in the seedlings. Proper tissues surrounding a dead area. detection of diseased seedlings and diagnosis is prerequisite to identify familiarization of insect damaging appropriate corrective measure, and Nursery Management seedlings. familiarization of disease is important in disease survey. Pests are present 1. To make sure that a high number References if the plant or any plant parts show of seeds germinate, conduct abnormalities like yellowing or browning germination test prior to planting. Executive Order No. 26 series of 2011. Implementation of a National of leaves, wilting, and presence of holes. 2. Use soil free from insects, Greening Program. Insect Damage pathogens and weed seeds. Treat soil if needed. Pacho, M.V. and M.J. Quimio. 1995. Common diseases in forest The commonly found plantations. “In Pests and Diseases damages of insects on 3. Provide the best possible growth conditions like nutrients, water, of Forest Plantation Trees in the the seedlings are the Philippines”. A Guidebook. Book following: sunlight, appropriate spacing, and weed control. Series No. 154/1995.PCARRD/ Caricature courtesy of www.123rf.com. DOST-NFDO-CFPMR/DENR. Los Chewing – damage caused Baños, Laguna. 177 pp. by insects that eat the leaf 4. Frequently monitor the presence of pests in seedlings. tissue The author is Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Technology Development Division (TDD), ERDB.

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 13 Reduce your carbon footprints and Save money Romana A. Mauricio

Did you know that saving amount of CO2 that your lifestyle direct emissions of gases that cause money may not only mean produces. climate change. that you are financially Today, planet earth is threatened by There are different ways by which you smart but also environment- climate change with worsening natural can reduce your carbon footprint and friendly? That is when you disasters leading to loss of life and save money at the same time. One reduce your carbon footprint property, destroying biodiversity and way is by applying the 3Rs: Reduce, - you save not just your money altering agricultural patterns. Reuse, Recycle. but the earth as well. In manufacturing, this can be done To mitigate change, every citizen of Carbon footprint is defined as “the by recycling the packing materials, the world must contribute in reducing total sets of green house gas (GHG) by selling the obsolete inventory of GHG through a low carbon lifestyle. emissions caused by an organization, one industry to another industry or event, product or person”. GHGs The concept name of the carbon industries that intend to buy unused can be emitted through transport, footprint originates from ecological items at a lesser price to become land clearance, and the production footprint developed by Rees and competitive. Nothing should be and consumption of food, fuels, Wackernagel in the 1990s. They disposed off into the soil, all the manufactured goods, materials, estimated the number of “earths” ferrous materials which are prone to wood, roads, buildings, and services. that would theoretically be required degrade or oxidize with time should be It is often expressed in terms of the if everyone on the planet consumed sold as early as possible at a reduced

amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) or resources at the same level as the price. its equivalent to other GHGs emitted. person calculating their ecological In households, the 3Rs can be Carbon footprint is a measure of CO2 footprint. However, carbon emissions that result from various footprints are much more done by using reusable items activities of an individual during specific than ecological such as thermoses for daily a given time period. It is the total footprints since they measure coffee or plastic containers for water and other cold beverages rather than disposable ones. If TIPS TO REDUCE YOUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AND SAVE MONEY not possible, it is best to properly recycle the disposable items after use. A household that recycles at least half Household cooling/heating account between 2-3 oC and the freezer at -16 oC. of their waste can save 1.2 tons of CO 1 for about 30% of our personal By keeping the refrigerator a little colder, 2 greenhouse gas emissions. Lowering it will not have to turn on as often. annually. household thermostat decreases personal carbon footprint and also Growing a home garden can save saves money. One degree drop on the 6 money and decrease carbon footprint. References thermostat can save 5% of the utility bill. Substantial air pollution is created in the shipping of fruits and vegetables. Change in altitute, lifestyle urged to Compact fluorescent light (CFL) address environmental problems. 2 bulbs use 66% less energy than the You can save a round a year by not Manila bulletin. Ocotber 5, 2009. standard light bulb and last about ten 7 idling your car. It burns less gas to turn p B-10. times longer. the engine off and restart it again than idling for over 10 seconds. Cinco E.B.. Reducing carbon dioxide Reducing water consumption can both to avert climate change. Manila 3 save money and decrease impact Keeping all your tires properly inflated Bulletin. November 24, 2008. p. 11. on the environment. An average bath 8 can save 3% a year on fuel use. takes about 75 L of water; a 5-minute www.nature.org shower with a low flow showerhead uses Speeding is not only costly when you about half of that. By simply putting out 9 get a ticket but also burns more gas www.whatiscarbon-footprint.com a barrel to collect rainwater for watering and increases your emissions. Driving gardens and lawns is an excellent way to with the speed limit can cut fuel use, cost www.buzzle.com decrease water consumption. and emissions by up to 20%. www.timeforchange.org Save about 9% of water heating costs Walking or riding a bicycle can save 4 by wrapping old water tanks in an 10 a substantial amount of money insulation blanket. annually and put a dent in your carbon The author is Science Research footprint. It lessens gas consumption, Specialist II of the FERD, ERDB. The refrigerator is the single most decreases emissions and keeps you 5 energy user at home. To help cut costs healthy. and save energy, turn up your fridge

14 CANOPY International January - December 2013 A thanksgiving prayer from a researcher working on grasses Reduce your carbon footprints and Save money Rhodora M. Rimando, Ph.D.

ERDB has been very active in make our lawns beautiful and serve I am thankful for all the grasses for implementing research projects for as a nice place to rest and frolic – serving as vegetative cover to prevent the protection and conservation of like in the meadows where we graze soil erosion and environmental the environment and biodiversity. our cattle; the green mantle gives us degradation. They can also serve as Overcoming the challenges as a Thine eternal vision and serene mind. hosts for some beneficial symbionts – when isolated and mass produced, researcher would not have been I also thank You for the cogon. can be used as biofertilizers to possible without the unending Though considered mostly as weed, it improve plant growth. guidance from our Savior. Allow me can however be used as panel boards, to express my appreciation to the one roof materials, handmade papers, Almighty Creator, in our varied fields and only King in heaven, for loving rope for tying bundles, baskets and of specialization and talents here in us unconditionally and providing us hand fans; as well as feed and silage ERDB, grants us Your graces and nature as one of His greatest blessings for livestock and sources of herbal blessings that we may use the best of through my prayer. medicine, wine, vinegar, and fuel. our efforts towards a long-term and productive research and development To our Creator, I am grateful for the I praise and thank You for the output. Like the grasses, harness our botanical bounties You have bestowed bamboos that soar up high from the abilities and potentials that in our upon the earth with particular river banks, farms and mountain modest way, we can help restore the emphasis on the grasses. I praise sides, stretching themselves in search balance and beauty of this world and thank You for the napier, corn, and in praise of your very own glory for Your glory and well-being of sorghum, millet and all the grasses and majesty. They provide simple yet everyone. which serve as forage or fodder for sturdy homes to millions of people our livestock. These grasses indirectly protecting them from the terrible supply us of our daily source of meat, weather conditions. They can also milk and butter. be made into functional and refined furniture pieces. Father, make us like The author is Senior Science I praise and thank You for the frog the bamboos – flexible and bending Research Specialist of the grass, carabao grass, blue grass, gracefully in accordance to Your wish GDAERD, ERDB. Bermuda and similar grasses. They and divine will.

Waste biomass statistics in the Philippines..... from page 10

and harmful to human health and Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. PCARRD. 2004. R and D Status and environment. Chicken Industry Performance Report Directions. Commodity Industry – January-December 2010. DA-BAS. Situation: Poultry. PCARRD, Los Baños, Quezon City. Philippines. • Lack of land for biomass production and low productivity of land available Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. PCARRD. 2004. R and D Status and for biomass production. Cattle Industry Performance Report. Directions. Commodity Industry DA-BAS. Quezon City. Situation: Rice. PCARRD, Los Baños, Philippines. This consolidated data on waste Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. biomass resource from agricultural Carabao Industry Performance Report PCARRD. 2004. R and D Status and and urban areas will be of great help (Carabeef and Dairy). DA-BAS. Quezon Directions. Commodity Industry City. Situation: Swine. PCARRD, Los Baños, in the further analysis of biomass Philippines. energy potential of the country as well Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. as in formulating initiatives especially Goat Industry Performance Report PCARRD. 2004. R and D Status and for household and industrial fuel – January-December 2010. DA-BAS. Directions. Commodity Industry Quezon City. Situation: Sugarcane. PCARRD, Los development as well as the conservation Baños, Philippines. of our forest resources. Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. Swine Industry Performance Report. Serrano, R. 2000. Abandoned forest Livestock and Poultry Statistics References biomass. Discussion paper during the Division, DA-BAS. Quezon City. joint meeting with JIFPRO Mission. Baconguis, S. R. and A. G. Calderon. 2000. C.B. Perez Conference Room, PCARRD. Elauria, J., M. Castro and M. Elauria. 2002. 13 January 2000. Los Baños, Laguna. Charcoal briquetting: A high value Biomass Energy Technologies in the alternative use of Imperata grasslands Philippines. Energy for Sustainable in the Philippines. Grassland Society Development, 6(3), pp. 40-49. of the Philippines Journal, Vol.4, No. 1 The first author is Chief Science Research Specialist and recipient of (Jan-June 2000). P. 87-93. PCARRD. 1995. Philippine recommends for coconut. PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna, the 2013 International Green Apple Bun, 1994. Biomass Energy. Philippines. for Environmental Best Practice (Gold Winner), and the co-author is Science Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. 2012. PCARRD. 1994. Status of industrial timber Research Assistant of the Coastal Zone Duck Industry Performance Report in the Philippines. PCARRD Book Series and Freshwater Ecosystems Research – January-December 2010. DA-BAS. No. 150/1994. Los Baños, Laguna, Division (CZFERD), ERDB. Quezon City. Philippines.

January - December 2013 CANOPY International 15 EDITORIAL BOARD

Portia G. Lapitan Executive Adviser Praxedes L. Silvoza Leuvina M. Tandug Sea cucumbers are important in the ecosystem. They serve as suspension feeders to Executive Editor regulate water quality; deposit feeder to make the deposit finer and turn over sediment; EDITORIAL STAFF recyclers of nutrients in oligotrophic environments; and prey to fisheries. There are over 1,200 of sea species worldwide, but only about 40 species are used to produce “leche-de- Eliseo M. Baltazar mer” or the processed body wall of the sea cucumber. (Traffic Bulletin, October 2012) Editor

According to research, there are 1,500 used for bamboo and more uses are still being Liberty E. Asis discovered by scientists. Likewise, bamboo is now being touted as saviour of the Dianne Marie F. Cunanan Associate Editors environment because it can absorb higher quantities of CO2 comparted to trees. Report says that, in the Philippines, there are around 62 species of bamboo, of which about 10 have been found to be commercially important. It is estimated that a maximum of 132 Bhia Mitchie T. Borcena million bamboo poles is required to meet the demand by 2015 for bamboo raw materials Rikki Lee B. Mendiola Editorial Assistants to be used for furniture, handicraft and other novelty items, both the domestic and export market. (Greenfields-Bamboo Forum) Dianne Marie F. Cunanan Layout Artist More than 85% of reefs in Asia’s Coral Triangle are directly threatened by human activities such as coastal development, pollution and overfisihing. The Coral Reef Liberato A. Bacod Triangle covers Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, the Solomon Printing Coordinator Islands and East Timor and contains nearly 30% of the world’s reefs and more than 3,000 species of fish. More than 130 million people living in the region rely on reef BUSINESS STAFF ecosystems for food, employment and revenue for tourism. (Manila Bulletin, April 2013). Eduardo M. Tolentino Circulation Officer Ploughshare tortoise (Astrochelys yniphora) is now in demand in the international Canopy International is published by the Ecosystems Research and trade, particularly in Southeast Asia, owing to its beauty and rarity making the species Development Bureau of the Department perilously close to extinction. Surveys carried out in Southeast Asia have found of Environment and Natural Resources, ploughshare tortoise to be frequently offered for sale illegally in markets in Indonesia, Republic of the Philippines. Thailand, Philippines and other parts of Asia. The species has been observed openly Canopy International seeks to promote displayed at reptile trade fairs. (Traffic Bulletin, April 2013). the global communication and exchange of information on issues and developments affecting the equitable The compiler is Librarian II of ERDB. utilization of natural resources and sustainable management of the environment. If undelivered, please return to: Canopy International accepts contributions for publication but reserves CANOPY International the right to edit such contributions. Only Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau unsolicited manuscripts accompanied College, Laguna 4031 by self-stamped and self-addressed envelope will be returned. Contributions PHILIPPINES must be accompanied with a brief curriculum vitae of the author(s). No contents of this publication may be reproduced, in part or in whole, without prior permission from the publisher, except for purposes of review and citation, provided a copy of such review or citation is sent to the publisher. Views expressed herein are of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher or editors. Canopy International may be accessed at the www.erdb.denr.gov.ph.

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