Philippine Lawmaker Advocates for Sustainable Agarwood Industry to Boost Farmers’ Income

In a bid to enhance farmers’ earnings and safeguard natural resources, AGRI Party-list Representative Manoy Wilbert Lee has urged the Philippine Congress to enact legislation promoting a sustainable agarwood industry. This call to action follows the seizure of a kilogram of smuggled agarwood, valued at PHP750,000, by the Bureau of Customs at a Pasay City warehouse on January 31, 2025. Agarwood, sourced from the protected Aquilaria trees, is in high demand for its applications in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. Representative Lee highlighted the need to shift from illegal trade to a regulated industry that could benefit both the economy and local farmers. He is advocating for House Bill 10320, dubbed the ‘Agarwood Industry Development Act,’ which focuses on the legal cultivation, harvesting, and commercialization of agarwood while protecting wild Aquilaria trees. The proposed legislation aims to ensure that only legally grown agarwood is traded and offers new livelihood opportunities for farmers and indigenous communities. Lee estimates that a sustainable agarwood industry could generate up to 30,000 jobs across various sectors. He stressed the importance of balancing conservation with economic development, suggesting that a well-managed agarwood industry could elevate the Philippines’ status in the global market.