Collecting seeds of agarwood-producing species, such as of Aquilaria malaccensis, from the wild is prohibited by the law, unless granted permit by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu made the pronouncement Tuesday, Nov. 23, after several DENR regional offices granted Wildlife Culture Permits to some companies for the propagation of agarwood using Aquilaria malaccensis.

Aquilaria malaccensis, locally known as "lapnisan," is a major source of agarwood—a resinous heartwood used for perfume and incense.

"The DENR is always in the middle of balancing things, from protecting and conserving threatened flora and fauna, making sure that the resources can still be used for our economic development, especially during this crisis, but utilization in a sustainable manner," Cimatu said in a statement.

The secretary also said individuals or private firms interested to engage in such "a highly regulated lucrative endeavor" must secure all the necessary permits from the DENR.

"We must ensure that the source of planting materials is legal and that the propagation of this species is in accordance with the existing rules and regulations," he said.

Agarwood can be derived from the Aquilaria species, which are widely distributed in the eco-zone of the Indomalesia region.

Nine of the 21 known Aquilaria species are found in the Philippines, according to an international study entitled" "The Origin and Domestication of Aquilaria, an Important Agarwood-Producing Genus." Six of them are endemic or can only be found in the Philippines, while the remaining three are native or indigenous.

Among the native or indigenous species is the Aquilaria malaccensis, which can also be found in other countries, such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore and Thailand.

DENR-Biodiversity Management Bureau Director Datu Tungko Saikol explained that gathering of seeds and seedlings, agarwood and other derivatives of Aquilaria malaccensis from the wild for commercial or trade purposes is "not allowed yet pending the population assessment study of the species in the Philippines."

"Those who are interested to propagate this species of agarwood may apply for a Wildlife Culture Permit from the concerned DENR Regional Office where the farm or plantation site is located. The seedlings should be sourced legally as well," Saikol said.

"While we allow the importation of the Aquilaria malaccensis seeds through the issuance of CITES or the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Import Permit by BMB, applying for a CITES Import Permit for seeds of exotic Aquilaria species such as Aquilaria crassna for use in the establishment of plantation in the country is a more tedious process as it requires prior clearance from the DENR Secretary upon recommendation from the Wildlife Management Committee," he added.

Saikol also said that a Local Transport Permit is necessary "for the transportation of legally acquired seeds, seedlings, agarwood and other agarwood by-products and derivatives."