AT LEAST 16 lot owners within the ancestral domain of Barangay Topdac, Atok in Benguet is for the oleoresin tapping.
Oleoresin tapping is the extraction of resin, a sticky liquid and organic substance locally known as ‘nicket’ or ‘ole’. The resin is used as a raw material for manufacturing cosmetics such as nail polish, and products such as paint, varnish, ink, and spoon.
The pine oleoresin tapping in Barangay Topdac is a community-initiated activity involving the sitios of Japa, Nalseb, Proper and Patapat.
Village chief Crosby Ingosan said the oleoresin tapping activity serves as a main livelihood for those who do not have vegetable garden.
"Tappers will undergo training before the actual tapping of oleoresin. Sixteen private lot owners confirmed to tap," he added.
Upon the approval of the National Commission on Indigenous People
(NCIP)-Cordillera and the release of permit to operate by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) – Cordillera, Ingosan added a memorandum of agreement (MOA) will be signed between the tappers and market technology provider.
Ingosan mentioned the areas to be tapped are private owned willingly agreed for the tapping activity.
A group of Chinese investors, who refused to be named will serve as the market and technology provider. The investors have earlier conducted consultation and information and education campaign to interested lot owners of the barangay.
Prices of the oleoresin will be bought per kilo depending on the world market price.
Oleoresin tapping was first introduced in Sagada, Mt. Province.
DENR-CAR forester for licenses patents and deed division Benjamin Wanawan meanwhile said before DENR release a permit to start operation of oleoresin tapping, it is critical to accomplish the free prior informed consent and certificate of pre-condition from NCIP-CAR.
Although there is no limit in the volume of tap resin, Wanawan said the height of the tap tree could not go beyond further two meters.
The coverage of the project is within the specified area within the barangay with an estimated area of around 253 hectares.