Natural rubber, given its vast industrial uses and premium price in the global market, offers huge potentials as Philippine agriculture’s premier export product, creator of jobs and incomes in the rural areas, and source of government revenues.

In fact, prospects are bright for rubber farmers around the world as global consumption is expected to reach 31.8 million tons by 2020, an increase of around 10 million from the 2006 level.

Thus, to meet the requirements of the future, it is only imperative for rubber producers and other stakeholders around the world to sustain the industry’s growth through continuous investments in bud wood garden and nurseries to improve quality and ensure the availability of planting materials.

Cognizant of our comparative advantages in rubber production, we at the Philippine Department of Agriculture—in tandem with the Philippine Rubber Industries Association (PRIA), Filipino and foreign investors, local government units, and farmers’ groups—embarked on a 15-year Rubber Development Program (RDP) in 2006 to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of Philippine rubber industry.

As part of the RDP, we are aiming to expand the current area planted to rubber totaling 92,000 hectares to one million hectares, and increase production and exports to $960 million all by 2020. Such expansion, which is on top of our immediate goal of replanting 36,000 hectares, is expected to create at least one million jobs for plantation workers, tappers and processors.

Today, expansion initiatives are underway in several provinces identified as viable areas for rubber production. These areas include Sultan Kudarat, Isabela, Maguindanao, Benguet, Camarines Sur, Palawan, Antique, Negros Oriental, Negros Occidental, and Mindoro Occidental.

It’s a long way to go, but we believe the Philippines is making progress. Last year, our national rubber production jumped by 15 percent to 404,000 MT worth P15.43 billion (roughly $376 million), from 351,000 MT valued at P12.3 billion (about $300 million) in 2006.

The DA family, through the National Agribusiness Corp. (NABCOR), is therefore privileged to take part in the 4th ASEAN Rubber Conference, hosted for the first time by the country through the lead efforts of the PRIA, as it affords us the opportunity to discuss and share current developments, trends and prospects, and sustainable technologies—all aimed at further developing the natural rubber industry of our respective countries.

Undoubtedly, this gathering of movers and shakers of the global rubber trade augurs well for the local rubber industry, especially for Filipino farmers, entrepreneurs and other ruralfolk who consider rubber production and exportation their main source of livelihood and incomes.

We therefore look forward to the success of this conference, even as we wish our international guests an enjoyable and rewarding stay in Manila. Congratulations and more power!

Mabuhay!

MR. ARTHUR C. YAP
Secretary