ABSTRACT

LAURO, LANIE D. Central Mindanao University, University Town, Musuan, Bukidnon. March 2012. Assessment of Charcoal Production and Consumption among Households in Selected Barangays in Bukidnon.

Major Adviser: Dr. Jose Hermis P. Patricio This study was conducted to analyze the extent of charcoal production and consumption among households in three barangays in Bukidnon, namely: Barangays Kisanday and Bayabason, both of Maramag, and Barangay Tongantongan of Valencia City. A pre-tested survey questionnaire was primarily utilized in the study which was conducted from November 12-25, 2011. The respondents of the study were: 1) charcoal producers who were residents and charcoal makers in the study area for the past two years, and 2) charcoal consumers who were both household owners and charcoal users also in the study area. In each of the barangays under study, 30 charcoal producers and 30 charcoal consumers were purposively chosen to a total of 180 respondents. The gathered data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Correlation analysis was also used to determine the relationship between volume of charcoal production and consumption, and certain household characteristics such as household size, income and educational attainment. Both charcoal producers and consumers were farmers whose average total monthly income is less than PhP5,000.00. Both of them mostly had a household size of 56 and their houses were mostly made of concrete and wood and/or bamboo. Majority of the producers reached elementary level while the consumers made it to high school level.

Producing charcoal for the past 6-10 years, charcoal producers mostly earned an average monthly income of PhP1,001-5,000.00 from charcoal production. The most common tree species cut for charcoal production was ipil-ipil (Leucaena leucocephala), which were sourced from plantation forest. Charcoal

production ranged mostly between 11 to 20 sacks per month sold at a price of PhP120.00/sack. The volume of charcoal produced was much higher than the charcoal consumed monthly. Finally, volume of production and consumption of charcoal among households is not significantly related with household size, educational attainment and income. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in coordination with the local government units concerned must regularly monitor charcoal production activities in the areas covered in the study to ensure that trees cut for charcoal production strictly come only from plantation forests.