Demand for woodfuels by households in the province of Ilocos Norte, Philippines

This paper presents the results of a survey on woodfuel consumption conducted in the Province of Ilocos Norte, the Philippines. The survey examined household consumption of wood and other fuels such as coconut shells and husks, rice hulls and stems, bagasse, bamboo, animal dung, charcoal, kerosene, liquefied petroleum gas and electricity. The author describes the various pressures on the woodfuel supply in the province and patterns of consumption, collection and ways in which consumers are trying to compensate for their relatively high levels of fuelwood consumption by reafforestation and turning to other fuels. The author concludes with a number of policy options. These include an extensive tree planting programme, the introduction of more fuel-efficient woodstoves and the increased substitution of other fuels such as bamboo or kerosene.