Over-Regulated and Under-Marketed: Smallholders and the Wood Economy in Isabela, The Philippines - Smallholder Tree Growing for Rural Development and Environmental Services - page 162

Farmer

a

Manufacturer

Retailer

Consumer

b

Farmer

Contract Buyer

Retailer

Consumer

c Farmer

Legend:

Major
flow

Wholesaler

Intermediate
flow

Retailer

Minor
flow

Consumer

Fig. 7.2 Major, intermediate and minor market channels for Gmelina arborea timber (a), fuel-
wood (b) and charcoal (c) in the northern Philippines

cally listed premium hardwood species, such as narra ( Pterocarpus indicus ),
molave ( Vitex parviflora ) and kamagong ( Diospyros philippensis ) that are all
sourced from the natural forests.
Findings have shown, however, that most smallholder farmers lack any aware-
ness and understanding of the policies on tree registration, harvesting, transport and
marketing. In fact, most farmers when confronted in checkpoints along the roads to
show documentation and permits think that their activity is basically illegal and
they have to pay fees to make their trade legal.
This situation is perpetuated by the local CENROs who have their own ways of
policy implementation (Mangaoang et al. 2005). For instance, proof of ownership