By Nimfa L. Estrellado The fragrant Pili resin, or sahing, becomes a key to economic growth after a new anti-poverty program opens tapping t...
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| The fragrant Pili resin, or sahing, becomes a key to economic growth after a new anti-poverty program opens tapping trade to all. (DOST-FPRDI) |
ALABAT, Quezon – The Pili tree's fragrant Pili resin, locally known as sahing, is transforming into a sustainable income source for women and youth in the island municipalities of Alabat, Perez, and Quezon, thanks to a new government program offering equal chance and training. Pili resin is highly valued globally for its use in perfumery, cosmetics, and medicinal products, driving high market demand.
Opening the practice to all interested community members, 60 farmers, tappers, and traders—including many women and young participants—recently completed comprehensive training in sustainable sahing tapping. The effort is a collaboration between the Department of Agriculture's anti-poverty program (DA-SAAD), Quezon's local science and tech office, and the National forest product research agency (DOST-FPRDI).
The hands-on training, held September 3-4, 2025, in Brgy. Villa Esperanza, Alabat, focused on maximizing resin yield while strictly maintaining Pili tree health. Experts from DOST-FPRDI led sessions covering crucial topics like Pili tree care and post-harvest management, specifically demonstrating modern tapping tools and wound care techniques to prevent fungal infection.
Forester Florena Samiano of DOST-FPRDI, a training guide, introduced the agency's sustainable tapping technology. She presented it as part of the "Forest Scents and Flavors" program (F3TP), an initiative promoting sustainable sourcing, capacity-building, and livelihood for forest communities, highlighting how their method increases sap flow without harming tree vitality.
The training covered techniques for Pili tree care, post-harvest management, and compliance with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) national rules on collecting forest products. Completion of the DOST-FPRDI-certified training ensures tapping of sahing is legal and sustainable, giving the participants a competitive edge in selling to export markets.
The push for sustainable, certified practices directly ties to the vast, inclusive economic potential of the sahing trade. DOST-FPRDI Technical Services Division Chief Maria Cielito Siladan emphasized the inclusive nature of sahing tapping: “It is a great opportunity for women and youth on the island.” The economic benefits are substantial. Raw sahing now fetches around P210 per kilo, more than double its price from a few years ago.
Meanwhile, the DA-SAAD Program's Marketing and Business Support (MAED) component builds resilient livelihoods in these isolated communities by providing market linkage and potential enterprise inputs. As sahing demand grows, the potential for economic growth and environmental conservation in Quezon’s island towns expands.
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reports the local Pili industry is experiencing a resurgence, driven by rising demand for products like Pili nuts and sahing. The DTI promotes Pili as a signature export, leading producer delegations to international trade shows.
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