EXPLAINER: Why the Philippines is building a forest DNA database

DOST Secretary Renato Solidum Jr. tours the DOST-FPRDI facility, where wood samples are stored and processed for inclusion in the Institute’s DNA database. (Photo: Patrick James Lee C. Alfonso, DOST-STII)

The Department of Science and Technology-Forest Products Research and Development Institute (DOST-FPRDI) is developing a DNA-based identification tool for timber species to strengthen the protection of Philippine forests.

The Philippine Forest DNA Database will serve as a reference system for identifying timber species at the molecular level, allowing authorities to determine whether wood products may have been illegally sourced.

It will also support the identification and verification of unknown wood samples and endemic species, including those listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

DOST-FPRDI Director Rico Cabangon said that identifying the species of wood through its physical characteristics may be difficult once it is processed or heavily degraded.

“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,” Cabangon said.

“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.

The newly established Wood and Non-wood DNA Laboratory of DOST-FPRDI can extract DNA from wood samples and use molecular characteristics to determine its species.

It is funded by the DOST Grants-in-Aid Program and monitored by the Philippine Council for Industry, Energy, and Emerging Technology Research and Development (DOST-PCIEERD).

According to DNA Project Lead Forester Jennifer Conda, the process begins with collecting and grinding wood samples, followed by cell lysis—a process that breaks open cells to release DNA—and contaminant removal. The DNA is then isolated, washed, and purified for further analysis.

The DNA-based approach complements traditional wood identification methods by providing scientific evidence when a timber’s physical characteristics are difficult to identify, the DOST said.

"For law enforcement agencies, this provides another scientific tool for investigating suspected illegal timber. For legitimate producers and exporters, it can provide stronger evidence that their products are properly identified and documented," it added.

"The innovation can also support Philippine forest products entering international markets. Countries such as the United States and Australia, as well as countries in Europe, have strict requirements for imported timber and other forest products. Reliable species identification can help demonstrate that Philippine products meet these requirements."

The DOST said the DNA team is continuously strengthening its capacity for DNA extraction and sequencing, with the goal of establishing a comprehensive molecular reference database for Philippine timber species.

DOST-FPRDI eyes opening the facility to the public once the database is fully established, with testing services projected to be offered 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. —VBL, GMA News