Philippine Teak or Tectona philippinensis (T. philippinensis) is an endemic species from the Philippines. It is found in coastal to lowland limestone forests. It is usually seen in thickets, even in municipalities and secondary forests at the low-altitude of Lobo and San Juan, Batangas. It can also be seen in Katayungan and Baclayon, Iling Island, Occidental Mindoro, and Mt. Makiling, Laguna.
This species belongs to the family Lamiaceae, one of the three species belonging to the Tectona genus. Philippine Teak can grow to 15 to 20 meters, with a diameter of around 50 centimeters. The leaves of this native tree can attain a size of 8cm to 15cm long and 3cm to 6cm wide-- with a light green color above and pale beneath. This tree also has terminal flowers that grow in the upper axils around 8mm to 10mm in diameter.
The wood produced by the Philippine Teak tree can be used simply as firewood and is recommended to be used in the building of sailboats and ships, even used in bridges, harbors, mine timbers, and railway carriages. Also utilized as posts and beams, in carpentry and wood carving, and even for construction purposes like flooring and paneling, it is also used in heavy-duty furniture. The uses of Philippine Teak wood sure have a long list, and because of the high density and strength of the wood, thus making the species produce valuable timber.
Not only the wood and branches could be used by humankind, but the decoction acquired from the freshly dried leaves of the species is also utilized in menstrual disorders and hemorrhages.
It is truly amazing how the Philippine Teak tree could be utilized by humankind; however, from the list made by the IUCN Red List of threatened species, Philippine Teak is one on the list of critically endangered species. This happened because of the continuous decline in the area of occupancy and extent of habitat due to non-stop agricultural and urban expansions. In addition, the direct exploitation of the species and illegal logging took part in the factors that led Philippine teak trees to be critically endangered.
Humans certainly benefit and acquire a lot from the Philippine Teak. However, human activities such as illegal logging and expansions insanely affected the number of the Philippine Teak to exist. The Philippine Teak and Molave trees were cut and transported to another area to supply the need for railways, which were used in transporting sugarcane from Haciendas to Sugar mills.
Despite the declaration made by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the IUCN-World Conservation Union that the Philippine Teak tree is a critically endangered species, and it being under protection and prohibited from exploitation, humans continued cutting and using the wood of the Philippine Teak for personal benefit.
In response to the declining number of Philippine Teak, vegetative propagation by stem cuttings has been done, and the species is found to be easy to root. In addition, the government should be able to strictly implement that no Teak Tree would be utilized, especially if the tree is not removed from the critically endangered species. Lastly, people could contribute in a way that is aware of the current status of the Philippine Teak would allow them not to purchase, use and cut the Philippine Teak tree to continue its long-going preservation.