Ficus benguetensis occurs in the Philippines, Taiwan, Province of China and Japan. This species naturally thrives in thickets, lowland, montane forests, and along streams at 60 to 1,800 m above sea level. It has a relatively large extent of occurrence (EOO) of 1,577,228.544 km² and may also have a large total population given its wide distribution, although this may be an underestimate as it is based on an incomplete map. Though its population size is currently not known, it is thought to be experiencing a continuous, slow, but significant decline in area, extent and quality of habitat due to habitat-threatening effects of commodity-driven deforestation, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization. However, although there is decline in the EOO, AOO, and quality of habitat, the species was still assessed as Least Concern given the large EOO and the threats are not thought to significantly affect the survival of this species. Conservation, both in situ and ex situ, would be an essential initiative in preventing the species from being pushed into any threatened category in the future.

Ficus benguetensis is native to the Philippines, Japan and Taiwan, Province of China. The species occurs in thickets, lowland, montane forests, and along streams of Abra, Agusan del Norte, Aklan, Albay, Antique, Aurora, Basilan, Bataan, Benguet, Biliran, Bohol, Bukidnon, Cagayan, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Camiguin, Catanduanes, Davao Oriental, Dinagat Islands, Eastern Samar, Guimaras, Ifugao, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Iloilo, Isabela, Kalinga, Laguna, Leyte, Maguindanao, Misamis Occidental, Mountain Province, Negros Oriental, North Cotabato and Davao del Sur, Nothern Samar, Occidental Mindoro, Oriental Mindoro, Palawan, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Quezon, Rizal, South Cotabato, Romblon, Samar, Sorsogon, South Cotabato, Surigao del Norte and Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines as well as in Okinawa, Japan and Taiwan, Province of China (Pro-Seeds Development Association, Inc. 2019, GBIF 2022). It usually grows at an elevation of 60 to 1,800 metres above sea level (Merrill 1913, Berg and Corner 2005). It has an extent of occurrence (EOO) of at least 1,577,228.544 km² and is continuously threatened by commodity-driven deforestation, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization (GFW 2022).

In 2019, seven individuals of Ficus benguetensis were recorded by Pro-Seeds Development Association, Inc. – four in Tampakan, South Cotabato, two in Brgy. San Roque, San Manuel, Pangasinan, and one in General Nakar, Quezon. The total population size remains uncertain due to lack of research initiatives – which can be addressed by further inventory and documentation. It is expected that there is continuous population decline due to continuing forest losses within the provinces induced by commodity-driven deforestation, logging activities, shifting agriculture and urbanization (GFW 2022).

Ficus benguetensis is a shrub or tree species with height ranging from three to 15 metres. It can be naturally found in thickets, lowland, montane forests, and along streams at 60 to 1,800 metres above sea level (Merrill 1905, 1913; Berg and Corner 2005). There is no information on the phenology of the species. It is used as food by wild cats.

Ficus benguetensis is primarily threatened by land conversion and habitat degradation caused by commodity-driven deforestation, logging activities, shifting agriculture, and urbanization. A significant loss of tree cover (796,417 ha) from 2001 to 2020 is reported across the range (provinces) of the species based on analysed data from GFW (2022).

Ficus benguetensis is a voucher specimen for pharmacological screening and is used for fencing and fuel (GBIF 2022).

The species is not included in the Philippine Red List (DENR-BMB 2017). However, the population of the species is protected in situ because of its presence in declared protected areas (PAs) such as Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, Marcos Highway Watershed Forest Reserve, Lower Agno Watershed Forest Reserve, Upper Marikina River Basin Protected Landscape, Infanta Watershed Forest Reserve, Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, Quezon Protected Landscape, Mt. Calavite Wildlife Sanctuary, Mts. Iglit-Baco Natural Park, Bicol Natural Park, Mt. Isarog Natural Park, Catanduanes Natural Park, Mt. Mayon Natural Park, Bulusan Volcano Natural Park, Samar Island Natural Park, Lake Danao Natural Park, Aklan River Watershed Forest Reserve, Chocolate Hills Natural Monument, Cabadbaran Watershed, Mt. Malindang Natural Park, Mt. Kitanglad Range Natural Park, Mt. Apo Natural Park, Mt. Matutum Protected Landscape, Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape, Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, Palawan Flora, Fauna and Watershed Forest Reserve (Parcel 2). It is also recorded in key biodiversity areas such as Babuyanes Islands, Mount Dingalan, Polillo Islands, Mounts Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park, Quezon National Park, Catanduanes Watershed Forest Reserve, Mount Halcon, Central Panay mountains, Mounts Irid-Angilo and Binuang,  Biliran and Maripipi Island, Anonang-Lobi Range, Cuernos de Negros, Mount Hilong-hilong, Mount Kampalili-Puting Bato, Busuanga Island, Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape, Mount Kambinlio and Mount Redondo, Victoria and Anepahan Ranges. In addition, it is known in at least three botanic gardens globally (BGCI 2022). Further inventory and research are needed to account for the total remaining population size in the wild.