The Official News Bulletin of the ITTO PD 334/05 Rev. 2 (I) No. 2 Vol. 1 June 2007 ISSN 1908-5974 ITTO– —ASEAN Rattan Project First Project Steering Committee Held The 1st Project Steering Committee ( PSC ) Meeting for the ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project was held on 21 February 2007 at the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau ( ERDB ) Conference Room, College, Laguna, Philippines. It was chaired by the Pro- ject Director and Director of the ERDB Forester Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. The committee members in attendance were: For. Eriberto C. Argete ( Department of Environment and Natural Re- sources ) , Dr. Lauren Flejzor ( ITTO Representative ) , For. Ester Cadiz ( represented For. Romeo Acosta of the Forest Management Bureau ) , Dr. Florence P. Soriano ( Forest Prod- ucts Research and Development Institute) and Dean Ramon A. Razal ( College of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of the Philippines at Los Baños ) . The Project Management Team composed of Dr. Aida B. Lapis ( Deputy Project Director and Leader Research Compo- nent ) , Dr. Merlyn Carmelita N. Rivera ( Project Leader, Production Aspect and Leader, Net- working Component ) , Dr. Magdalena Giron ( Project Leader, Utilization Aspect and Leader, Training Component) , Dr. Armando M. Palijon ( Leader, Pilot Demonstration Component ) and For. Imelda C. Pangga ( Database Administrator ) participated during the meet- ing together with Dr. Florentino O. Tesoro, Technical Consultant on Utilization. The other members of the project team namely: Ms. Norma Pablo, For. Kharina G. Bueser, For. Gregorio E. Santos, Jr., and For. Moreno L. Santander ( Philippine Contact Person ) also attended the meeting. The Project ’ s objectives, outputs and detailed work and financial plans, organiza- IN THIS ISSUE tional chart and progress report were presented by Dr. Lapis. Specific comments and suggestions were forwarded by the PSC. One of the major comments was to prepare First PSC Meeting Held …………………..1 The ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN a sustainability plan on the financial, social and environmental aspects of the project. Rattan Project Museum…………………1 Another was to get the profile of website browsers and their feedbacks to be used as Perspectives...………………………………. 2 bases for webpage improvement. It was likewise recommended that the possibility of Highlights of Accomplishment establishing the Philippine Rattan Information Center must be explored. for the 5 Components under the ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project…………………………...2—3 Activity Notes………………………………. 4 The ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Bits…………………………………………… 4 Rattan Trivia ……………………………… 4 Project Museum formally opened Things to look forward………………….. 4

The RATTANewsletter is produced bi- The Rattan Museum of the project was estab- annually and is mainly aimed to promote cooperation among ASEAN member coun- lished at the ERDB-DENR office building in Los tries by providing information on the ac- tivities carried out with regards to Rattan Baños, Laguna, Philippines. It was formally resources. opened on February 21, 2007. Dr. Lauren Fle- Executive Advisers jzor, ITTO Representative and For. Marcial C. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. Amaro, Jr., ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Pro- Aida B. Lapis

ject Director, together with the members of the Project Steering Committee, Project Manage- Editor-in-Chief Merlyn Carmelita N. Rivera ment Staff and Senior Officials of the ERDB Editors: graced the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The mu- Magdalena Y. Giron, Armando M. Palijon, Imelda C. Pangga seum showcases the ingenuity and creativity of Layout Artists/Circulation the ASEAN peoples in coming up with versatile Kharina G. Bueser Agnes M. Mora rattan products such as baskets, trays, bags,

mats and other functional and decorative materials. Edible rattan shoots ( d ried and Contact information: ITTO-Philippines– ASEAN Rattan Project, bottled ) are also on display. These products came from the ASEAN member- Ecosystems Research and Development Bu- countries: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People ’ s Democratic Re- reau, College, Laguna 4031 PHILIPPINES Telefax: (6349) 536-4051, public, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The existing display Email:[email protected], con- [email protected]; will continuously be improved by the project team as they travel and collect various [email protected]; Visit us at: rattan items in the ASEAN countries. www.aseanrattan.org

Perspectives...

He also informed the group that in November 2005, he was the For. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., Project Direc- th tor and Chairperson of the PSC delivered the Philippine representative to the 39 Session of the International opening remarks during the 1st PSC Meeting. Tropical Timber Council (ITTC) held at Yokohama, Japan. That was He expressed his sincerest gratitude for the op- the time when he fought and lobbied hard for the approval of the portunity given by the ITTO to the project project proposal. Never did he imagine that he would lead this pro- team to implement the ITTO-Philippines- ject two years later.

ASEAN Rattan Project. He mentioned that in Director Amaro recognized the merits of the project with its ob- the past, rattan seemed to be relegated to the shadows of other forest resources. But ITTO jectives of strengthening ASEAN collaboration, uplifting the socio- has again brought rattan to the foreground economic status of village people and sustainably managing rattan through this project. resources through the demonstration and application of production

and utilization technologies. Some of the gaps, issues and concerns He appreciated the chance given to ERDB-DENR to collaborate identified in the rattan pre-project in 2004 are hoped to be addressed with institutions like the FPRDI, UPLBCFNR, the ASEAN Contact through the implementation of the research grants of the project.

Persons and their institutional affiliations, local government units, the He then inspired the group with a statement that greatest accom- rattan manufacturing industry and upland communities engaged in plishments are not done alone but as a TEAM…where Together Every- the production and protection of our rattan resources. one Accomplishes More!!!

Highlights of Accomplishment as of June 2007 for the 5 Components under the ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project Pilot Demonstration Component stration were visited and assessed. These sites were 1) Considered as the heart of the ITTO Rattan Project, the pilot Gabriela Multi-Purpose demonstration component showcases mature and/or well-developed Cooperative, Diffun, Quir- technologies that ensure sustainable production of quality rattan ino; 2) Spirit Woods, Dif- poles for the industry. Its main strategy is village participation primar- fun, Quirino; 3) Sta. Maria, ily for the upliftment of the socio-economic status of the target com- Laguna; 4) Angat Dam, munities. Norzagaray, Bulacan; 5) Sta. The ASEAN member countries composed of Vietnam, Lao PDR, Catalina, Atimonan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand and Philippines have signi- Quezon; 6) Mts. Palay-palay fied their participation in the establishment of pilot demonstration and Mataas na Gulod, plots covering a total area of about 220 hectares. Work plans and Ternate, Cavite; and 7) financial requirements for the establishment and management of the Bicol Natural Park (BNP), pilot demonstration areas were submitted by each country. Funds , and were released to Vietnam, Lao PDR, Cambodia, Indonesia and the Lupi, . Philippines. The BNP was chosen as the plantation site for the pilot demon- Malaysia opted not to participate in the pilot demonstration es- stration based on the criteria set by the project. These include tablishment since they have already developed appropriate production among others (a) accessibility (b) suitability of rattan to the bio- technologies. Brunei Darussalam also bowed out from the pilot physical conditions (c) receptivity of the community or social accept- demo component because of the negligible contribution and least ability (d) acceptance, cooperation and support of the concerned au- priority of rattan in their local and national economies. These two thorities (e) relevance of rattan to the socio-economic upliftment of ASEAN countries, however, expressed their interest to be part of the the community. project’s networking activities and exchange of information. Strategic planning was con- Initial activities in the establishment of pilot demonstration areas ducted with the San Jose have been conducted in the participating countries as seen in the suc- Rattan Pilot Organization ceeding paragraphs. (SANJORAPO) members,

Protected Area Superinten- Cambodia dent (PASu) and Rattan Two sites were visited and selected as pilot demo areas by the Project Staff. The project Contact Person (CP) and his colleagues. Three hundred (300) seed- site was characterized based lings were raised while two hundred (200) wildlings were maintained on the biophysical, social at Vor Yiev Nursery in Kampong Thom Province. The CP also coor- and economic parameters. dinated with the communities for the collection of rattan seeds next The socio-demographic year. profile of the community as well as a community/spot Indonesia map were prepared. Home The pilot demonstration and nursery sites were identified. nurseries were established

Lao PDR and wildlings collected from the BNP were maintained in these nurseries. The CP introduced the project and coordinated with leaders and A Barangay Ordinance (local law) adopting the ITTO Rattan Pilot Demon- members of the community. The species to be planted in the demo stration Project was passed and approved by the barangay council of San Jose, sites were likewise identified. Rattan seed production areas were lo- Lupi, Camarines Sur. This ordinance mandates the community to protect cated in Fuang District, Vientiane and Khamkeut District, Bolik- and support the implementation of the pilot demo in their area of jurisdic- hamxay Province. It was decided that in Lao PDR, rattan will be culti- tion. vated for shoots and canes. The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) Resolution No. 004 – Myanmar 2006 was passed and approved at the Protected Area Office, Lupi, Camarines Funds will be released for the pilot demonstration sites as soon as Sur, Philippines. This resolution upheld the request for thirty (30) hectares the project contract and other documents from Myanmar are submit- within the Sustainable Use Zone of the Bicol Natural Park where the pilot ted to the Project Management Team. demonstration site of the ITTO-Philippines ASEAN Rattan Project will be located and established. Philippines Seven (7) candidate sites for the establishment of pilot demon- (continued on page 3) 2

(from p2, highlights of accomplishments) A study tour was pursued for 14 members of the Phu Nghia commune, Thailand Choung My District, Ha Tay Province, Veitnam on May 5, 2007. The par-

The proposed pilot demo sites are located in Khao Buntad Silvi- ticipants were made aware of the rattan raw material trade practices. With cultural Research Station, Trang province and Song Khla Silvicul- the knowledge gained on the market situation and practices, the farmers tural Research Station, Song Khla Province (for new plantations); were encouraged and became confident to implement rattan production activities. and Nai Chong Silvicultural Research Station, Trang Province and Song Khla Silvicultural Research Station, Song Khla Province (for old Networking Component plantations). Coordination, communication and collaboration efforts with the CPs, Due to some unavoidable circumstances related to the political and administrative situations existing in the country, all activities Project Management Team, PSC and other collaborating agencies were pur- relative to the project components were held in abeyance subject to sued. Matrices used in monitoring project activities were prepared. the approval of Thailand’s higher officials. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) of the ten (10) Vietnam ITTO Technology Guides (Filipino and English) and International Standard

The Phuc Tien Commune located at Ky Son District, Hoa Binh Serial Number (ISSN) of the RATTANewsletter were applied for. These Province, with 19 participating households was selected as the pilot were subsequently approved by the Philippine National Library. demo site in Vietnam. Several meetings were conducted by the CP primarily to introduce the rattan project, establish camaraderie Copies of the maiden issue of the RATTANewsletter, the official news among stakeholders and discuss potential cooperation between the bulletin of the ITTO-Philippines-ASEAN Rattan Project were distributed to project and local residents. the ASEAN embassies, Contact Persons, Philippine academic/scientific insti- A survey to assess the forest status as well as rattan seed collec- tutions, and heads of local and foreign collaborating agencies. tion was completed. Seeds were germinated and raised by the villag- ers in the nursery following the germination techniques taught in the An Impact Assessment of the ITTO Rattan Project is currently training courses. Outplanting of 50,700 seedlings was initiated and being implemented. Gathering of base- will be completed by July 2007. line data was pursued at BNP, Camari- nes Sur, and Bay, Laguna, Philippines; Training Component Vietnam (Phuc Tien and Phung Ghia Five (5) Technology Guides namely: (a) Rattan Nursery and Planting Communes) and Lao PDR. Processing Stock Production; (b) Rattan Plantation Establishment Technology; (c) Con- and tabulation of data is in progress. trol Methods Against Insects and Fungi; (d) Kiln Drying; and (e) Bleaching A meeting with the WWF represen- and Finishing of Rattan were prepared by experts. These were written in tatives, Mr. Thibault Ledecq, Team laymen’s language to be easily understood by rattan producers and proces- Leader and Mr. Bouaphet Bounsorath, sors. These technology guides were further translated to the language of the National Coordinator of the Sustainable ASEAN country where the trainings were held. Rattan Project was held in Lao PDR on The training programs conducted were: May 21, 2007. Potential collaborative A. Rattan Production Technologies efforts between WWF and the ITTO Rattan Project on rattan production, 1. Phuc Tien Commune, Hoa Binh Province, Vietnam. March 19-20, utilization, marketing and policy concerns were discussed. Initial activities 2007, 30 participants. such as sharing of information were laid out during the meeting. 2. Namxuang Forestry Research Center, Nasaithong District, Vientiane On June 22, 2007, Dr. Merlyn Carmelita N. Rivera met with Ms. Ma. Capitol, Lao PDR. May 24 - 26, 2007, 30 participants Cristina S. Guerrero, Deputy Director of the Non-Timber Forest Products-

B. Rattan Processing and Utilization Technologies Exchange Programme at the Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau 1. Baymen Handicrafts, Bay, Laguna, Philippines. January 13-14, 2007, (ERDB), Los Baños, Laguna, Philippines. Their discussion focused on possi- 30 participants. ble areas of collaboration such as the project’s participation in a Policy Fo- rum on NTFP which is targetted to be held in September 2007. 2. Phung Ghia commune, Ha Tay province, Vietnam. March 22-23, 2007, 35 participants. Research Component 3. Napakuang Resort, Phanhong District, Vientiane Province, Lao Based on the research gaps that were identified during the 2004 PDR. May 21 - 23, 2007, 30 participants. Regional Conference for Sustainable Development of Rattan in Asia Rattan furniture and handicraft and the criteria for the selection of proposals, eight (8) out of fifteen manufacturing firms and weaving sta- tions in the villages at Phanhong Dis- (15) approved proposals were given funds for their implementation trict, Vientiane Province, Lao PDR were under the Rattan Research Grant Programme. These are as follows: visited as part of the Training on Con- trol Methods against Insects and Fungi, Kiln Drying, Finishing and Bleaching, Country Project Title May 21 – 23, 2007, Lao PDR. Mr. Indonesia Dragon blood extraction at various seed maturity levels and Sounthone Ketphanh, CP for Lao PDR their physico-chemical properties facilitated the activities relative to the Indonesia Application of plant-derived preservatives to improve training. durability of rattan and rattan-based products An educational trip for the Malaysia Growth performance of Calamus subinermis in Sabah, Malaysia villagers from Phuc Tien commune, Philippines Community-based rattan plantation establishment and Vietnam who are engaged in rattan management processing and utilization was carried Philippines Genetic variation and sex determination in Palasan (Calamus out on March 21, 2007. The trip merrillii Becc.), Sika (Calamus caesius Blume) and Limuran provided the farmers better apprecia- (Calamus ornatus var. philippinensis) using molecular marker tion of the importance of rattan in their livelihood. Philippines Grading rules for rattan in the ASEAN region With the initiatives of Ms. Do Philippines Rattan Field Guide Thi Ngoc Bich, CP for Vietnam, train- ing courses were conducted at the Vietnam Analysis of the roles of gender in planting rattan for forest en- village level. On May 2, 2007, a training course on raising C. tetradactylus in richment in Doan Ket hamlet, Phuc Tien Commune, Ky Son the nursery was done with 13 participants in attendance. On June 23, 2007, District, Hoa Binh Province another training on planting C. tetradactylus was conducted for 15 partici- pants. (continued on page 4) 3

( f rom p3, highlights of accomplishments ) • For. Kharina G. Bueser, ITTO-Rattan Project Research Assistant, attended Database Component and presented a paper during the Small Scale Forestry and Forestry and Rural Development in Industrialized Countries Conference at the Sabin Updating of the website Resort Hotel, Ormoc City, Leyte, Philippines on June 18 – 21, 2007. The ( w ww.aseanrattan.org ) is regularly un- paper which she co-authored with Dr. Aida B. Lapis was entitled dertaken. At present, the website consists “ D emonstration and Application of Production and Utilization Technolo- of: ( a ) the main page ( menu, overview gies for Rattan Sustainable Development in the ASEAN Member Coun- of the project, call for small grant research tries ” . proposals, Inception Meeting article, quick links, rattan products and processing pic- tures; ( b ) uploaded additional pages such as organizational chart, added web AND ITS links on partner’ s page, acronyms and … B … abbreviations, rattan production and proc- essing pictures, and added photo docu- mentation files on Inception Meeting link. ◊ The ITTO-Philippines ASEAN Rattan Project Museum was featured in The As of June 2007, a total of 18,450 suc- Bulletin, a Philippine broadsheet, on May 22, 2007. The news fea- cessful server requests with 2,576 suc- ture highlighted the presence of the museum at the ERDB and the rattan cessful requests for pages were noted. The most active month was May items on display. 2007 where 446 page requests were recorded.

◊ Dr. Aida B. Lapis, ITTO Rattan Project Deputy Director, attended and pre- sented a paper entitled “ Specialty Rattans of the ASEAN ” during the 7th ACTIVITY NOTES ... Flora Malesiana Symposium at Leiden, The Netherlands on June 16 – 23, 2007.

• The Ecosystems Research and Development Service ( ERDS ) of the ◊ Dr. Aida B. Lapis is at the Royal Botanic Gardens ( RBG ) in Kew Rich- DENR in Region XII, Philippines under the ITTO Rattan Research Grant mond, Surrey, UK for the whole month of July 2007 to carry out essential Programme has recently conducted a general assembly in Amas, Kida- taxonomic work related to rattan. She will likewise consult rattan experts pawan City, Philippines to prepare the community and to provide them with with regards to the appropriate presentation and packaging of the Philip- basic information about the community-based rattan plantation establish- pine Rattan Guidebook. ment and management project. This project aims to capacitate the commu- nities with technical know how from seed harvesting to nursery manage- ment and plantation development. The project, which started January THINGS TO LOOK FORWARD… 2007 is also expected to enhance a 30-hectare rattan plantation under teak and rubber. It also hopes to encourage more people to engage in ∗ Training programs on Production and Utilization to be held in: rattan plantation establishment and eventually boost the rattan industry in Kidapawan City, Philippines, August 07—12, 2007 the region. ( DENR News Dispatch, 2007 ) Cambodia, August 18 – 23, 2007

Pampanga, Philippines September 14-16, 2007 • Dr. Lauren Flejzor, ITTO Representative, visited the San Jose Rattan Pilot Indonesia, September 23-30, 2007 Organization, BNP, Lupi, Camarines Sur, Philippines on February 19 – 20, 2007 as part of the ITTO ’ s Monitoring and Evaluation activities. ∗ Rattan Forum, Lupi, Camarines Sur, Philippines tentatively scheduled in September 2007 nd • The ITTO Rattan Project Man- ∗ 2 PSC Meeting cum Rattan Pilot Demonstration Workshop, Bangkok, agement Team headed by For. Thailand, tentatively set for the last week of January or second week of Marcial C. Amaro, Jr. on May February 2008 26, 2007, visited a pilot demo area in Lao PDR where rattan for shoot production was inte- RATTAN TRIVIA… grated into a rice production system. They also made a cour- tesy call to the Philippine Am- Do you know that the potentials for rattan bassador to Lao PDR, Her Ex- shoots as an additional source of income is high? cellency Elizabeth Buensuceso The villagers from Lao PDR and Thailand harvest on the same day. Since there and dry these either for home consumption or sold was a Tree planting and Chil- in the local and international markets. There are dren ’ s Day celebration at the also bottled/canned rattan shoots sold in Thailand. Donkoi Primary School and Donkoi Children Development Center, Ambas- Almost every known rattan species is consumed in sador Buensuceso saw it fit to bring the rattan team to the said event who Lao but C. tenuis is preferred. Shoots can be har- were pleasantly surprised to hear the children sing a native Filipino song, vested eight months after the seedlings are planted. “ B ahay Kubo ” in Pilipino, English and Laotian. A small donation was An average of one shoot/clump is harvested per handed to Ms. Xuyen, Executive Director, for the benefit of the children month and sold at 1000 kip ( US$0.10 ) /shoot in and the projects implemented by the Center. Lao PDR and 4.5 baht ( US$ 0.14 ) /shoot in Thai- land. Deducting an average harvesting cost of $25 • The ITTO Rattan Project Management Team conducted a Planning Work- per 2000 shoots, approximately $4452 to $8904/ha/ shop in Itogon, Benguet on June 11 – 13, 2007. The workshop aimed to year can be earned by the farmers in Lao PDR. On develop and discuss the details of the work and financial plans for Year 2; the other hand, farmers in Thailand realize $ 11,000 per ha/year. There is assess the project accomplishments for the first year of implementation; likewise an existing market for rattan shoots in the United States. Dried and address constraints or limitations encountered during the first year of shoots are sold at $30/kg in Lao PDR but this price increases to $100/kg in the project. the US market. (MCNT)

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