0404-B1

The Diversity of Non-Wood Forest Species and the Significant Role of the Indigenous Communities in the Philippines

Aida C. Baja-Lapis^[1] and Moreno L. Santander, Jr.

ABSTRACT

This paper provides a bird’s-eye view of the dynamics of indigenous communities (ICs) and non-wood forest species (NWFS) and how they are intricately related. This paper focuses on the diversity of NWFS and the significant role of the ICs in the Philippines in the conservation of the NWFS. We need to understand better how certain traditional indigenous knowledge systems (IKSs) sustain these NWFS without the ICs necessarily engaging in overexploitation. As reported by the Environmental Science for Social Change (1998), ICs are organizing themselves not only to reclaim their birthright but also to re-establish and practice their knowledge on resource management. Thus, integrating ICs’ IKSs in management strategies can have a long-term beneficial impact on the sustainability of diverse NWFS and their culture. However, this is not an easy task. In line with this, a legislative bill now explicitly includes NWFS as an integral part of a forest ecosystem, thus, corresponding concern including incentives for plantation development will be given appropriate attention. Tables on the production, export, forest charges and uses of selected NWFS and non-wood forest products are presented here.

Introduction

Since prehistoric times, the forest has provided people with a rich source of food and other basic needs (Baja-Lapis 1998). Forests have been recognized as rich reservoir of many valuable biological resources. For most of recorded history, people have valued forests not for wood but for other products. Today it serves the same purpose to Filipino indigenous communities (ICs) as it did centuries ago. These forests are also home to ICs who have depended on them for survival. However, Philippine forests have been massively reduced during the past decades, which adversely affected the supply of non-wood forest species (NWFS). The influence of the NWFS in shaping the lifestyle of the ICs is enormous, emanating from cradle down to the grave.

The Philippines has a diverse culture having identified 127 cultural groups based on ethno-linguistics differences. Sixty four of these are sub-classifications sharing similar characteristics with other larger groups. The 127 main cultural groups are classified into three types: mainstream (13), sea-based (15) and upland groups. The upland groups are the most marginalized cultures and directly interact with the forest ecosystem, but in a limited way with the systems of the society. Generally, the upland groups do not have tenurial rights and are not recognized by barangay or municipality.

The ICs live as part of the ecosystem and not simply as users or exploiters. As of 1998, the Philippines’ upland population is 19 million or 26% of the total population. Out of this, 6.8 -12 million are IPs (35 - 63% of the total upland population) who depends so much on non-wood forest products (NWFPs). The ICs have been almost neglected in many accounts when it comes to the forest resources of the Philippines together with legitimate upland communities (Baja-Lapis 1998). Ella, et al (1999) reported that when logging was banned in the country in 1989, emphasis was put on management of the forests by these people and especially on NWFPs and their potential regarding subsistence use and commercialization.

Non-wood forest production

Production of NWFS is a significant source of income for the country (refer to Table 1). Forest Management Bureau (FMB) reported in 1999 that Region 13 is the largest producer of unsplit rattan followed by Region 2 (see Table 2). Regions 2, 4-B and 8 are the only producers of split rattan. Bamboo poles were mostly produced by Regions 1, 5 and 11. Almaciga resins were produced in Regions 2, 4-B and 8. Region 4-B had the highest quantity of almaciga resins produced while nipa shingles are abundantly gathered in Region 6.

Table 1. Production of selected NWFPs: FY 19995-199 (Quantity in thousands)

Source: 1999 Philippine Forestry Statistics

Table 2. Production of selected NWFPs by region: FY 1999

Source: 1999 Philippine Forestry Statistics

Table 3. Selected NWFPs export: FY: 1995-1999 (Quantity in thousand kilos, value in thousand US dollars, FOB)

.. - not available
a - less than $ 1,000
Source: 1999 Philippine Forestry Statistics

As presented in Table 3, the country exported a total of 3,018,000 kilos of almaciga resin, bamboo, elemi gum and rattan poles for a total of US$ 4,351,000 from 1995-1999. The Philippine exports of furniture from 1997-2201 are shown in Table 4. Since 1998 rattan furniture export had been overtaken by wooden furniture (Natividad 2001). In year 2001, DTI accounted that three NWFPs were included in the top 10 dollar earner (furniture exports) with rattan in second place while bamboo and buri ranked seventh and ninth, respectively.

In 1999, the government earned a total of P 8,898,043 from NWFPs’ forest charges (Table 5). The biggest share came from unsplit rattan which contributed P 8,587,211 or equivalent to 93.14% of the total forest charges generated among the four NWFPs. Next is almaciga resin (Manila copal) with P 274,550 or 3.06% of the total charges.

Table 4. Philippine furniture exports from 1997-2001 (FOB value in US Dollars)

Source: DTI

Table 5. Forest charges on NWFPs: FY 1999

Source: 1999 Philippine Forestry Statistics

Species diversity

The Philippines possessed some of the world’s biologically richest tropical forests. The archipelago has in the past supported a diverse array of plants and animals estimated at two million species characterized by high degrees of endemism. The lush forests of the nation have been host to an estimated 12,000 endemic plants, 165 species of mammals and 570 bird species. A list of selected NWFS and their uses is presented in Table 6.

Table 6. Selected NWFS and their uses

Source: Profile of selected non-timber products, 1988.

Selected ICs and their significant roles in NWFS

NWFS and products have a great significance to the daily affairs of the ICs. Most communities are found in the periphery of the forest and they are the most disadvantage people in terms of access to the amenities for decent living. In most cases, they depend to the forest resources for their subsistence and rarely reach the situation whereby they improve their economic level at par with the lowlanders. But the ICs provide services leading to the conservation of NWFS. They know the art of harvesting, right timing for abundant harvest and indicators when the gathering should take place based on indigenous knowledge system (IKS) handed down from generation to generation and transferred by word of mouth. The local knowledge differs from one group or tribe to the other. Yet each one contributes to a sustainable way of harvesting.

Agta/Aetas

The Agta or aetas are nomadic ethnic group distributed from Northern part of the country to the forested portions of eastern part of Luzon. Mt. Pinatubo is one habitat of the Aetas that was recently disturbed by volcanic activity driving the aetas in many neighboring mountains. The aetas learned how to make bamboo flutes and it is common to see them peddling the goods in Metro Manila at P 20.00/piece.

Ifugao

The Ifugaos of Kiangan, Banawe are noted to be the tillers of root crops and vegetables in the highlands. They can efficiently produce given limited land area. In their “muyong” or communal forests, they grow a species of rattan locally known as lituko, Calamus manillensis, solely for its fruits. Every backyard in Kiangan is characterized with stands of lituko which is regarded as a valuable fruit and becoming very popular in commerce. As reported earlier, many families have attested to the benefits derived from raising lituko (FAO Documentation 1997).

Batak, Tagbanua, Palawan

There are three ethnic groups living in the interior of Palawan province which has about 45% forested areas. Sustainable practices and conservation activities have contributed to a continuous dependence of the local people to the NWFPs. The Batak, Tagbanua, and Palawan harvest wild honey of Apis dorsata and Apis cerana, only when flowers of Chromolaena odorata are dried which indicates that the honey is ready for harvest. Another group of Tagbanua mentioned that the good flowering of Pterocymbium tinctorium, indicates a good harvest of honey. Thus, they are not cut, unconsciously initiating conservation of indigenous tree species hosts to honey bees. Other tree species that are sources of nectar and pollens are Drypetes megacarpa, Pometia pinnata, Dysaxylum gandichaudianum, Talauma villariana, Stemononurus luzoniensis, Nephelium mutabile and other hosts (Palis, 2002).

Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis), abundant in most areas of Palawan, is a valuable tree for the Bataks and Tagbanua. The resin produced is turned into cash and a good source of livelihood. The sustainability is subsumed under the IKS whereby the Bataks employ a rotation system in harvesting. During tapping, the Bataks exercise caution not to wound deeply the trees so that they will not die.

Alangan Mangyan of Mindoro

The Alangan Mangyan of Mindoro Island has a long record of dependence to NWFPs. Rattan is very important to the alangan women for they use it as a skirt termed as “yakis” which they wear everyday and without changing until the rattans last. The skirt is ornamented with nito strips woven to finish rough edges of rattans. Many tree barks are essential materials for clothing for both men and women. They have a good knowledge on when to extract bark for durable and long lasting use. They still prefer to use bark fibers than modern clothing. They make huge container out of rattan strips to keep rice and other grains. Other saleable items are woven and produce. Cottage products are source of income. In order to have a sustainable source of raw materials and meet orders of both finished products and weaving materials, the Alangans engaged in plantation establishment of rattans.

Dumagats of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija

An estimated 255 people in the towns and villages of Gabaldon valley including most Dumagats are directly dependent upon rattan collection as a major portion of their income. Currently, all the rattan gathered in Dupinga watershed is derived from natural sources. Due to their continued involvement with rattan gathering and hunting, the Dumagat community has the highest forest dependency and greatest knowledge of the internal ecological and biophysical conditions of the watershed. Some Dumagat collectors have recently expressed an interest in culturing of rattan in various watersheds where environment is suitably moist and cool. The Dumagats believe that the best way to manage cultured rattan in the forest is to organize two or three smaller management groups, comprised of household of user groups who wish to cooperate in the venture. Individual families alone could not be caretakers of forest plantings.

The government programs

Government and non-governmental sectors are already taking initiatives to overcome the marginalization and neglect of ICs and the diverse NWFS. The efforts include implementation of participative management, pursuing the principles of community-based forest management (CBFM) where ICCs are given a more direct and important role. CBFM adopts the principles of: social equity and democratised access to forest resources, participatory management approaches, sustainability of resource use and management, biodiversity conservation, environmentally-sound forest management, and efficiency in resource allocation and utilization.

Concluding Remarks

Traditionally we only see and value the timber for extraction and the corresponding monetary returns it can offer. NWFSs are relegated as minor source of income for the people and the government. Hence, oftentimes they are left in the forest as waste and unattended. Evolving livelihood alternatives and changing culture in forestry has placed NWFS in the mainstream of valuable forest products as focus of livelihood options for upland dwellers. The increasing concern for ICs and stronger voices for the plight of underprivileged ethnic groups have resulted in the government programs geared toward seeking their needs and welfare. CBFM schemes have produced modest gains which could serve as an impetus in developing strategy and further tapping community participation and appropriate tenurial instruments.

Further, the IKS by the ICs somehow served as vehicle of biodiversity conservation. Abuse brought in by lowlanders, however, threatened such system. Before its too late, relevant production and utilization technologies leading to the sustainable management of NWFS/NWFP should reach the stakeholders. Cultural management coupled by proper harvesting technique may ensure sustained supply of NWFS for the industry and generation to come. It is however, incumbent upon us to balance the intervention and adoption with due respect to unwritten culture and way of life of the ICs.

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