This volume of wood exports was actually lower by 17.41 percent compared to 12,217 cu.m. exported by the region in the first quarter of 2009, but higher by 6.91 percent in value compared to US$2.143M, also in the same period.

Of these wood exports, finished wood products posted an increase of 19.85 percent in volume, from 3,129 cu.m. to 4,360 cu.m., while its value also increased by 36.45 percent, from US$ 1.48M to US$1.78M, Regional Executive Director Maximo O. Dichoso of the Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), region 10, said.

On the other hand, the volume of lumber decreased by 35.89 percent, from 8,938 cu.m. to 5,730 cu.m. while its value also decreased by 20.38 percent, from US$0.644M to US$0.513M.

Dichoso said no veneer core was produced during the first quarter, thereby posting a 100 percent decrease in its production compared to 84 cu.m. valued at US$0.15M during the same period last year.

As to forest products, the region posted an increase of 160.72 percent in saw log production, from 4,194.76 cu.m. to 10,918,08 cu.m. of which the "falcata" specie increased by 186.07 percent, from 3,177.58 cu.m. to 9,090.03 cu.m.

Production of the "Yemane" specie also increased by 142.72 percent, from 572.13 cu.m. to 1,388.70 cu.m. but "Mahogany" decreased by 1.28 percent, from 445.05 cu.m. to 439.35 cu.m. while production of other varieties also decreased by 78.11 percent, from 2,438 cu.m. to 533.76 cu.m.

Dichoso said these forest products came from plantations in the provinces of Misamis Oriental whose production increased by 704.65 percent, from 1,114.70 cu.m. to 8,969.46 cu.m. and from Misamis Occidental whose production decreased by 60.15 percent, from 5,518.15 cu.m. to 2,199,18 cu.m.

Lanao del Norte also harvested 283.2 cu.m. of forest products from its yemane plantations while no report of harvests came from Bukidnon and Camiguin during the first quarters of 2009 and 2010.