This is specially true in rural areas where wood consumption is at its highest, noted a study done by two Department of Science and Technology (DOST) agencies – the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCARRD) and National Academy of Science and Technology (NAST).
"Of the total demand for woodfuel, 82 percent constitutes that from households while 18 percent is from the industries," the study stated.
PCARRD and NAST expressed concern that for domestic purposes, rural people usually cut trees and gather fuelwood for cooking near their homes instead of buying them.
For industrial purposes, woodfuel is used for generating steam power and electricity in factories and settlements; curing tobacco, bricks, ceramics, and potmaking, lime production, and small-scale food processing.
By 2010, demand for woodfuel will soar to 50 million cubic meters per year as against the 28 million cubic meters of available supply.
Thus, PCARRD and NAST charted a plan to harness S&T interventions toward boosting the woodfuel industry. – RAF