Various key players in the local essential oils industry gathered in an online consultative dialogue organized by the DOST-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) last 21 September 2022.
Themed “Investing on the Science, Economics and Sustainability for the Inclusive Growth of the Philippine Essential Oils Industry”, the event underscored the current status of the sector, and covered issues on the production, processing and marketing of essential oils, among others.
DOST Secretary Dr. Renato U. Solidum, Jr. challenged industry partners, government counterparts and funding agencies to “raise the bar and set higher goals for the essential oils industry,” while exploring the many opportunities to advance it.
Former DOST Secretary Prof. Fortunato T. de la Peña, meanwhile, emphasized the need to continually collaborate with various stakeholders to “create a globally competitive and sustainable forest flavors and fragrances industry in the Philippines.”
DENR Secretary Ma. Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga, in a message delivered by Assistant Sec. Marcial C. Amaro, Jr., recognized the need for science-based strategies to ensure the sustainability of the industry. She also assured of DENR’s commitment on “efforts to harmonize forest policies to sustainably utilize finite forest products for essential oils.”
Discussions during the dialogue centered on the local industry’s best practices on sustainability, traceability and socially inclusive development; product and enterprise development that includes the use of locally sourced ingredients such as ylang-ylang, almaciga, kalamansi and sampaguita that are “very Filipino”; and sustainable and responsible sourcing of raw materials that covered initiatives on agarwood and citronella processing and production.
Mr. Russell Lorenzo of Casa de Lorenzo Organic Products talked about some of the challenges in penetrating the global essential oils market, which include the lack of testing facilities specializing in aromatics; locally available equipment; scale and pricing; foreign competitors; hard-to-find local experts; and quality
Artisan Perfumer Oscar Mejia III of Scentsories, Inc., meanwhile, encouraged more Filipinos to venture into fine fragrances industry because of the country’s vast natural resource of aromatic plants, and the Philippines’ distinct place in the “world history of fine fragrances”. “Every scent has a story. Our fragrances are works of art. I hope that in every whiff, we can celebrate our rich cultrage heritage.”
Ms. Elizabeth Pahilan of the DTI- Board of Investments, on the other hand, discussed the promising market prospects for orange and lemon, while Oryspa Spa Solutions’ Ms. Sherill Ramos-Quintana emphasized the importance of building the Filipino brand identity: "Export the brand not just the products".
Meanwhile, DOST agencies presented their various R&D, technical assistance, and training initiatives on essential oils, including the establishment of extraction facilities, and the 2021-2025 roadmap for the Natural Products Program.
DOST shared its support programs that include the Science for Change Program, Start Up Reseach Grant Program, and the DOST SETUP, which would-be entrepreneurs can tap for their ventures.
“DOST's goal is to work closely with other national government agencies and help them address the problems of their respective stakeholders. As a research and development institution, FPRDI continues to provide innovative and timely solutions to the challenges faced by the various forest-based industries, communities and stakeholders in the country,” said Secretary Solidum.
The Consultative Dialogue is in line with the Institute’s Flavors & Fragrances from the Forest Technology Program (F3TP) that aims to tap underutilized non-timber forest products for food, medicine, flavors and essences.
In the next 10 years, F3TP’s goal is to contribute in creating a globally competitive and sustainable forest flavors and fragrances industry in the Philippines. ### (Apple Jean M. de Leon, 28 September 2022)
