Elizabeth M. Remedio
Woodfuel is not only used in poor and rural households. In many towns and metropolitan areas, woodfuel is widely used either as main, substitute or supplementary fuel by low-, middle- and high-income groups. In the Philippines, fuelwood, charcoal and other forms of biomass energy make a major contribution to meeting the energy requirements of the population. The collection, distribution and trade of these fuels also provide income and employment to millions of Filipinos. Despite this importance, relatively little is known about how woodfuels are produced, managed, traded and consumed in the country. No single government agency is in charge of developing policy regarding woody biomass energy, since woodfuel is often considered inferior and a major cause of deforestation and environmental degradation. This article illustrates the socio-economic role of wood energy in the Philippines through the results of a case study carried out in Cebu Province in 1992 and revisited in 2002.
Department of Economics, University of San Carlos, Cebu City, Philippines
