The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is developing a DNA database for Philippine timber species to help authorities identify illegally sourced wood and verify forest products whose physical characteristics have been altered by processing.
The Philippine Forest DNA Database, being developed by the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI), will serve as a molecular reference system for identifying unknown wood samples and endemic timber species.
The system is also intended to cover species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.
“When we can identify our forest products with greater certainty, we strengthen our ability to protect and sustainably manage what remains of our forests,” DOST secretary Renato Solidum Jr. said.
Wood identification has traditionally relied on examining physical and anatomical characteristics. However, these features can become difficult to recognize after timber is cut, processed, degraded, or made into finished products.
“Timber can be difficult to identify once a tree has been cut, processed, or turned into a finished product. By the time wood reaches a checkpoint, port, or market, its species may already be difficult to confirm,” DOST-FPRDI director Rico Cabangon said.
Through its newly established Wood and Non-wood DNA Laboratory, the institute can extract biological material from wood samples and analyze molecular characteristics to determine their species.
According to project lead forester Jennifer Conda, the procedure involves collecting and grinding wood samples, breaking down their cells, removing contaminants, and isolating and purifying the DNA for analysis.
The technology is expected to complement conventional wood-identification methods, particularly when a sample’s physical features are no longer recognizable.
For law enforcement agencies, DNA testing could provide additional scientific evidence in investigations involving suspected illegal timber. Producers and exporters could also use the system to verify that their products are correctly identified and documented.
Reliable species identification may also help Philippine forest products comply with import requirements in markets such as the United States, Australia, and Europe.
The laboratory was funded through the DOST Grants-in-Aid Program and is being monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy and Emerging Technology Research and Development.
DOST-FPRDI said its team is continuing to develop its DNA extraction and sequencing capabilities as it expands the molecular reference database.
The institute plans to open the facility to the public after the database is established, with testing services projected to begin by 2030.
“The goal goes beyond identifying wood. It is about giving the Philippines better science to protect its forests, uphold legal and sustainable trade, and safeguard the resources that future generations will inherit,” Cabangon said.
