The prospect for country’s production of rubberwood furniture is bright thanks to the initiative of the Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI).

Through the DOST-FPRDI intervention, the rubber farmers in Zamboanga Sibugay, particularly the members of the Tambanan Agrarian Reform Beneficiaries Multi-Purpose Cooperative (TARBEMCO), started utilizing old and unproductive rubberwood trees to produce and sell furniture pieces of high quality.

The Institute reported that the rubber farmers have so far produced cabinets, chairs, tables and other home pieces.

“Zamboanga Sibugay locals are accustomed to using senile rubberwood trees for low-value products such as fuel wood, pallets and crates. Through the DOST-FPRDI project, they learned to make high-value products which could sell for a competitive price,” Engr. Victor G. Revilleza, project Leader, said in a statement.

The DOST-FPRDI said through its rubberwood initiative, the farmers’ acquisition of added knowledge on useful application of rubberwood trees was made possible.

“Rubberwood has good qualities suitable for making furniture, packaging materials and other wooden products. It has white to pale cream color, which when dried becomes light brown. Its reasonably good strength properties make it a durable material for furniture,” Revilleza said

The Institute said it conducted a series of trainings for TARBEMCO members to upgrade their skills in the last three years.

These included trainings on harvesting and sawmilling, rubberwood preservation and treatment, kiln drying, woodworking machine operation and maintenance, furniture making and basic finishing.

The FPRDI has established a Rubberwood Processing Center in Naga, Zamboanga Sibugay to fully support the growing industry.

The center has a complete line of processing facilities and equipment from sawmilling to finishing.