Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

The Sierra Madre mountain range is a chain of mountains that stretches from the
east coast of Cagayan up to Rizal and Quezon, Province. Its rainforest, which is
covered by dipterocarp trees are home to a wide array of fauna and flora, some to be
found only in the Philippines. For thousands of years, the mountain range has also
served as a home to many Indigenous People. Because of the ecological importance
and the enormous benefits that we can obtain from this mountain range like protection
from storms and soil erosion, conservation sites have been established to preserve and
protect it.

The Southern Sierra Madre Wildlife Center (SSMWC), managed by Miriam

P.E.A.C.E is one example. It is a 180-hectare piece of land in Laiban, Tanay Rizal
located within the Kaliwa Watershed, a protected area and one of the fourteen-
biodiversity hotspots included in Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor (SMBC). SSWMC
needs to be conserved and protected according to Miriam P.E.A.C.E because it is
where many endemic and threatened species reside. Aside from the plants and
animals, the area is equally important because it is where indigenous groups like the
Dumagats and the Remontados live.

The Remontados are the subject of this research. They are chosen because
other researchers study this tribe very seldom. Apart from that, there are few documents
concerning this tribe and their environmental protection practices and beliefs compared
to other groups. The Remontados are also easier to observe and study than other IPs
because their place is not too remote and they are the ones living closest to SSMWC.

Like any other indigenous groups, the Remontados of Sierra Madre have deep
respect towards nature from where they get their basic needs. Due to living so closely
with the environment, the researcher assumed that they have developed knowledge
and practices that can contribute to the preservation and further protection of the
SSMWC. Determining what these beliefs and practices would be one objectives of the
study.
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 The research would require the use of secondary data pertaining to the
Remontados of Laiban, Tanay Rizal. In identifying the different environmental practices
and beliefs of the Remontados, data would be obtained through a survey and/or
interview. SSMWC project key persons shall be interviewed to know how the practices
of the Remontados contributed to their project. Components of the project shall also be
enumerated and using analysis, determine which environmental practice identified is the
most helpful in achieving the objectives of SSMWC and how would it possibly
contribute.

Statement of Research Problem

This study aims to find out the different practices and beliefs of the Remontados
tribe regarding their environment.

Specifically, this sought to answer the following problems:

1.) What are the environmental knowledge of the Remontados? i.e:

a. Beliefs

b. Practices

c. Knowledge about local fauna and flora

2.) How did their environmental knowledge contributed/contributing to Miriam

P.E.A.C.E in its preservation of SSMWC?

Hypothesis

Remontados- their environmental practices and beliefs contributed significantly to

the preservation and protection of the SSWMC.

Significance of the study

The results obtained from the study can help further researches about the
different indigenous environmental practices and beliefs of IPs in the Philippines,
2
specifically the Remontados. Also, since IP’s practices are always geared towards
protecting the nature, the identified practices can be published and be a source of
information on how to minimize one’s impact to the environment.

If the hypothesis is proven, that the Remontados’ practices and beliefs

contributed significantly in protecting SSMWC, the result could be used by researchers
who want to prove that indigenous knowledge are important and should be preserved
so that it could be used in functions like managing protected areas.

Apart from those above, the study is of great importance because it will
document a part of the culture of an indigenous tribe. At this time where many of the
unique culture and behaviors of many indigenous tribes are being changed and/or
completely erased, the need for documentation increases so that they cannot be
forgotten.

Scholars also argue that ethnic cultures mirror the Filipinos and Philippines of the
past before Western influences seeped through our culture. So, studying the
Remontados can give people a glimpse of the old Filipinos- their practices and beliefs.

Scope and Limitations

The research will be conducted only in Laiban Proper, Brgy. Laiban Tanay Rizal
since it is the most accessible of all communities in Brgy. Laiban.

Only selected numbers of adult Remontados will be asked to answer the

questionnaire and/or be interviewed because they are the ones who have been doing
the practices for a long time. Selection of respondents will be made randomly as it is the
most applicable in communities that have homogenous population.

Chapter 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

3
 AND CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Protected areas and the Need for it

Environmental degradation have always been a huge talk. Plato, for example
used to complain during the fourth century B.C about soil erosion and land degradation
in Greece. He said that after trees were cut for building houses and ships, soil was
always being washed up to the seas after heavy rains. Other problems observed by
classical authors like Plato were drying of lakes and springs making agriculture hard for
farmers. These problems still exists until today. Extinction of many species of plants
and animals due to human greed and large-scale deforestation are also huge problems
that plague the world in different degrees presently. (Cunningham, Cunningham, Saigo,
2003)

So, in order to save and preserve the very fragile environment of the earth and
the species living within it, protected areas were established throughout the world.
Lockwood described protected areas as the “finest representative examples of natural
and cultural heritage”. He said that these areas are so important because it will ensure
the survival of many species in the world. Lockwood added that protected areas are
also very crucial because of the contribution they give in maintaining the “life-support
systems” that keeps the world going. On the other hand, Feyerabend described
protected areas as the representation of the commitment of the world and its leaders in
conserving the environment.

World Commission on Protected Areas, a task force of ICUN (International Union

for Conservation of Nature) defined protected areas technically as: “an area of land
and/or sea especially dedicated to the protection and maintenance of biological
diversity, and of natural and associated cultural resources, and managed through legal
or other effective means”. (Feyerabend et. al., 2004). There would be 113,707 protected
areas in the world as of 2005 that falls on the description provided by ICUN but there
will be more if non government designated areas are to be included according to
Lockwood. Worboys and Winkler added that protected areas represent the greatest

4
land and sea use transformation in the 21st century as 12 percent of the terrestrial space
of the earth and 0.5 percent of its marine areas are now classified as protected areas.

Preservation of nature and biological diversity have values and benefits that are
very important not just to the present but for the future generations and other organisms
as well. (Cunningham, Cunningham, Saigo, 2003) Lockwood identified some of these
values as spiritual, cultural, educational (for field trips and research) and intrinsic value
or the value of nature as a resource for other organisms other than humans.

Protected Areas in the Philippines

Philippines’ ecosystems- its forests, coral reefs and mountains are one of the
richest in the world. With a total of 52,177 identified species, it is considered a country
with a “megadiversity” of species and it is for this reason that the Philippines probably
ranks the highest in the world if we are talking of specie per hectare. However, because
of many threats to this gift like commercial logging and mining, the country is also a
considered a “hotspot” of biodiversity loss (Galang, 2009). In a report about protected
areas in Asia, Rafael Senga citing Russell Mittermeier of Conservation International
wrote that the Philippines belongs to the top five biodiversity hotspots in the world’s
seventeen most important country in terms of biodiversity.

In addition to the above paragraph, Galang also identified the forests of the
Philippines as one which falls under the Tropical Rainforest category among the eight
classifications of forests. Tropical rainforests are considered the most fragile of all types
because of the thinness of the top soil. When the vegetation is removed, the nutrient
rich top soil could easily erode or dry out because of too much exposure to the sun.
Apart from the fragility, this type of forest has the most bio diversity. Worldwide, 10-15
million species is estimated to live in tropical rain forests.

It is because of these reasons that many protected areas in the Philippines were
established. All over the country, 200 areas are classified as protected based on the
NIPAS or National Integrated Protected Areas System. These areas ranges from small
5
parks to large watersheds, seascapes, landscapes and wildlife sanctuaries.(Senga,
2001)Priority protected areas are enumerated below.

Batanes Protected Landscapes and -Ivatans reside in this part of the

Seascapes Philippines.
-Birds from northern asia stops in this area
to rest from their long flights.
Northern Sierra Madre Natural -largest and most important protected area
Park in the country.
-Home to the Dumagats
Subic-Bataan Natural Park

Apo Reef Natural Park -Biggest atoll type reef in the Philippines
can be found here.
-Home to many different species of fish.
Mount Kanlaon Natural Park -Tallest peak in Visayas region and home
to many species of animals.
Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary -Migratory area of 200 species of birds
coming from Japan, China and Russia
Mount Apo National Park -One of the habitats of the Philippine
Park Eagle- an endangered specie
Table 1.Protected Areas in the Philippines

At present, 30,000 hectares or 7.8% of the total land area of the Philippines is
dominated by protected areas. (Earth trends, 2003)

The Role of Indigenous People in Protected Areas Management

Indigenous People (I.P) have always been very close to the environment and this
closeness is reflected through their culture and customary laws. They know that the
environment has limitations and respect this limit (Galang, 2009). Feyerabend’s report

6
agreed with Galang. She said that because of the I.Ps long association with nature, they
have “made significant contributions to the maintenance of many of the earth’s most
fragile ecosystems”. For example: the Tagbanuas prohibit the use of their lakes(except
one) for tourism because they consider it sacred. The Ifugao practices the muyong
system where they weed, prune and maintain the muyong or forest because they know
it’s their responsibility. It is embarrassing to give a deforested, unmaintained muyong to
the next in lines (Galang, 2009).

IPs also have great knowledge about their surroundings according to Jocano.
She cited the Pisan group of I.P called collectively as Negritos (those who moves from
campsite to campsite) which includes the Dumagats, Ati and Aeta to prove her point.
According to her, an average Negrito man can identify and describe “ 450 plants , 75
birds, fishes, insects and animals and even 20 species of ants.” This kind of data is
very crucial to protected area management according to Chapman, Lacy and Whitmore.
According to them, to effectively manage protective areas, you have to first identify the
species living there.

Feyerabend, Johnston and Pansky said that IPs are the latest recognized
protected area managers. That is because, as Feyerabend, Kothari and Oviedo
explained, in old protected areas strategies, the people of the place are excluded from
the projects. They do not have any say to the conservation plans that are affecting their
areas. However, that is changing now because IPs are now part of protected areas
management. Their knowledge are considered very valuable and are adapted to make
management of the area more effective. Also in present approaches to protected areas
management, the interconnection between the “people, natural resource and culture” is
recognized and valued. Establishment of protected areas shifted from protecting only
the environment and biodiversity to protecting the environment, biodiversity, the
Indigenous people and their culture.

One excellent example of a conservation project that involves the people and
their indigenous knowledge is the Parque de la Papa or Potato Park in Peru.

7
 Association ANDES (Quechua-Aymara Association for Sustainable Livelihoods –
ANDES) established the Potato Park to preserve the diversity of potato species. In a
case written by Alejandro Argumedo in The Values of Protected Landscapes and
Seascapes, he mentioned that the park is a “conservation model focussed on the
conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources through traditional Andean
approaches to agrobiodiversity and landscape conservation.”(Amend,et. Al., 2008)

The Quechua, the I.P group involved with the park uses knowledge accumulated
from 7000 years of growing potatoes. For example , they use traditional tools instead of
the modern ones because they know it has lesser impacts. Techniques from
sustainable farming strategies of the Inca like farming only plants which are suited to
certain elevation and not forcing the soils and plants to produce too much are used to
ensure that the biodiversity will not be lost and the landscape conserved. Quechuas do
this because according to Argumedo, there is “trade-off between productivity, risk
management, external subsidies and degradation”. Management is based on the
principles of “ecological, productive and social sustainability.” (Amend,et. Al., 2008) With
little interference from scientists or agronomists regarding their practice, the park is still
successful in preserving the potato biodiversity. 1,200 different varieties of potatoes can
be found on the park, which the residents can name (Colchester, 2003). The park has
caught the eyes of many scientists around the world that they even travel up to the
highest levels of the park( 3,500 and 4,050 meters above sea level) to see, observe and
record the park, the people and their practices (Peru farmers and international potato
scientists meet in Cusco, 2008).

Conceptual and Analytical Framework

SSMWC
Program

Remontados
 Indigenous
Environmental
Components/
Knowledge
Principles

Local
knowledge
Succes
Practices
Beliefs s of
about places,
fauna and flora SSMWC

Environment of the Philippines is degrading at a very fast rate. Forest covers are
diminishing and water bodies are being polluted, to control these, especially in the
mountains where we get a lot of benefits, protected areas and conservation sites were
established.

Indigenous people have been living “one” with nature for so many years.
Because of this, it is assumed that they have developed environmental practices that
will protect and conserve the place where much of their basic needs come from.

People involved with the protected areas and conservation sites cannot solely
rely on books on how to preserve the area, they must consult with the people in the
place where they are working to get to know the place more.

Chapter 3
METHODS AND PROCEDURES

This chapter shows how the researcher did the research- how did she collected data,
what methodology was used, who are the respondents and how data would be
analyzed.

9
Research Design

The research is of descriptive type. Its focus is on identifying the different

environmental practices and beliefs of the Remontados in Brgy. Laiban and how it
contributed and/or contributing to the present project of Miriam P.E.A.C.E in the same
location.

Data gathering and Respondents

A day was spent in interviewing and collecting data from the residents of Laiban
Proper, Brgy. Laiban, Tanay Rizal. A questionnaire regarding their practices beliefs and
knowledge about local places, fauna and flora was used. Interviews were conducted if
the researcher’s questions were not answered fully. The study was conducted in this
area only because of the limited time for research and accessibility of the place.
Observation method will also be used to further describe what the researcher is looking
for.

Thirty randomly selected adults were asked to answer the questionnaire that is
composed of closed and open-ended questions about their beliefs, practices and
knowledge about local fauna and flora. Selection of respondents was made randomly as
it is the most applicable in communities that have homogenous population.

People involved with the Miriam P.E.A.C.E Southern Sierra Madre Wildlife
Center were also interviewed for more information.

Secondary data about the socio-economic profile of the people of Brgy. Laiban
together with the SSMW Center’s area profile was borrowed from the Southern Sierra
Madre Wildlife Center Project Comprehensive Plan made by Miriam P.E.A.C.E.

10
Research Instruments

The study will need a questionnaire for the people of Laiban Proper, Laiban,
Tanay, Rizal.

Data Analysis

This study will describe and enumerate the indigenous environmental knowledge
of the Remontados, i.e their beliefs, practices and knowledge about local places, flora
and fauna and how did these contributed to Miriam P.E.A.C.E in managing SSMWC.

To determine how much did the knowledge of the Remontados contributed or are
contributing to the wildlife center, answers in the questionnaire from the Remontados
will be compared to the components of the project. It will then be analyzed to determine
which environmental practice identified is the most helpful in achieving the objectives
and how would it possibly contribute or contributed.

Chapter IV
PROFILES OF SSMWC AND BRGY. LAIBAN,TANAY RIZAL

This chapter will present the profiles of the research subjects. Profiles of Southern
Sierra Madre Wildlife Center and Bgry. Laiban is presented here.

A. Southern Sierra Madre Wildlife Center

a. Location

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 The Southern Sierra Madre Wildlife Center is a 180 hectare land covered with
forests. It is located within the Kaliwa Watershed in the Sierra Madre mountain
range.

b. Topography and Slope

According to the SSMWC comprehensive project plan, the Kaliwa watershed
where the project site is located is a very mountainous area. Seventy percent of the
area have slopes of 50% and above. Its slopes are classified to rolling to almost
precipitous. The highest elevation is 1,530 meters above sea level (masl) while 220
masl is the lowest in the watershed.

c. Soil
Soil type within the watershed depends on the existing vegetation in a particular
area. Soil type, depth and its corresponding vegetative cover is summarized on the
table below.

Vegetation Soil type Depth(cm) Fertility

Residual forest Humus 5-15 cm --
Residual forest Top soil- loam to clay 18-100cm
loam with colors from
brown to black
Old growth Loam ? More fertile than
Humus from decayed 15-25 the soil in
plants/animals residual forest
Grassland No humus Prone to soil
Top soil is very shallow 18cm(ave.) erosion but is
Sandy clay loam type fertile enough to
support plant
growth
Table 2. Soil type and Vegetation

d. Vegetation and Land Use

12
 The watershed’s major vegetation or forest cover is classified into three kinds.

First is the residual forest which is the dominant type of cover. 12, 147 hectares
of the watershed is covered by this type. White Lauan, Red Lauan, Apitong, Bagtikan,
Guijo, Kalantas, Narra and other dipterocarp trees are the trees that are present in the
said spot.

Next is the reproduction bush where much of the kaingin and animal grazing are
being done. Its area is measured 8,883 hectares where 4,814 hectares, 4,034 and 34
hectares are timberland, alienable and disposable and communal forest respectively.
Malapapaya, tibig, and alibang-bang are the species that can be found in the bushland.

Following the bushland in terms of occupied area size is the old growth forest
which measures 2,429 hecatres. The area where this kind of cover can be found have
not been reached by timber poachers because of the steep slope. Dipterocarp trees
mixed with Meliacacae, Rubiaceae and Moraceae are the kinds of vegetation that can
be found within the area.

There are also agricultural lands farmed and maintained by the IPs and migrants
in the community. It measures up to 192 hectares and are irrigated and planted with
cereals and sugarcane.

Mossy forest which is a protected area is 103 hectares, bare or rocky forest
about 490 hectares, built-up area-717 hectares and water hyacinth 20 hectares are
other minor types of vegetation and land use.

e. Faunal Population
There is a total of 121 identified species of birds, mammals, reptiles and
amphibians at the watershed.

13
Birds
Among the different family of animals identified within the site, birds have the
highest concentration of species in the watershed. 87 species or 70% of the animal
population belongs to the bird family.

Philippine Eagle( Pithecopaga Jefferyi), Rufous hornbill (Buceros Hydrocorax)

and Tarictic Hornbill (Penelopides Paninimanilloe), three globally threatened species
can also be found flying around the watershed.

Mammals, Reptiles and Amphibians

Thirteen kinds of mammals were identified within the watershed. These include
the Philippine Brown deer ( Cervus marianus) and the Luzon Bearded Wild Pig (Sus
Philippensis) two globally threatened species included in CITES. Because of their
present condition, the Philippine Brown deer’s trade is “strictly prohibited” while catching
the Wild Pig is “strictly regulated”. There have been reports however about people not
following these rules in the area.

There are 15 species of reptiles and 9 species of amphibians presently identified

at the watershed. Two of the 15 species of reptiles are venomous- they are the
Philippine Cobra( Naja Philippensis) and Pit Viper (Trimesaurus sp.). Amphibians
present at the watershed include monitor lizards, frogs and iguana which are being
traded and sold.

B. Demographic and Socio-Economic Profile of Brgy. Laiban

a. Cultural Composition
Brgy.Laiban’s residents are composed of indigenous peoples and natives from
other regions like Tagalog, Ilocos, Bikol and Bisaya,etc. Fourty percent of the
people in Laiban are either Dumagats or Remontados.

14
 b. Population
There is a total of 1076 individuals in Brgy. Laiban based on a year 2000 Census
of NSO. Average family size is 4.48 and 240 households makes up the whole
barangay.

c. Religion
Official religion of the people in Laiban is Catholic. Mass is performed by a “lay
minister” every Sunday and every Thursday, they gather at the chieftain’s house
to pray. The only time a priest comes down and perform mass is when there is a
fiesta.

d. Health
The leading causes of death in Laiban are pneumonia, diarrheia, anemia, skin
problems, gastrointestinal disorders, scurvies and Vitamin A deficiency. Other
causes include malnutrition, TB, cancer and kidney and liver diseases. Cases of
goiter have been reported.

e. Education
There are two elementary schools in Brgy. Laiban. First is Laiban Elementary
School located in barangay proper with 117 students enrolled. The second one is
the Magata- Manggahan Elementary School in sitio Manggahan which serves
110 students. There is also a day care center with 50 students. Since there is no
High School and College in the Barangay, students who wish to continue their
studies sought education in other places.

f. Livelihood and Employment

The primary livelihood in Laiban is agriculture. Residents plant upland rice,
corn, banana, cassava, papaya, pineapple, taro and other root crops. They also
raise animals like pigs and chickens on their backyard.

15
 Other sources of livelihood is trading of animals such as deer and wild pig.
They trade these to nearby barangays.

Laiban is a potential tourist destination, so if the place will be developed a bit

more, tourism can be another source of employment.

g. Social Organization
A Barangay Council governs the barangay. It is composed of the Barangay
Captain, Sangguniang Kabataan, Barangay Tanod, BHW, DCW, Barangay
Justice and a Staff Utility Worker.

Tribal Chieftains of the Dumagats and Remontados still represents the two
groups.

h. Services and Development Efforts

These are the infrastructure, utilities and other services that are present in
the barangay:

1. Road
There is a 6.8 km rough road that connects Laiban to Mayagay, another
barangay that is near the highway. Because of the present condition of the road,
Laiban cannot be accessed during rainy seasons.The people in turn cannot also
go up to the town as the rivers overflow and the road becomes very muddy.
People can go to the barangay in dry months via a huge jeep, motorcycle, horse
or by foot.

2. Barangay Health Center

Only one health center is located at the barangay making health services
very limited as there are no sufficient staffs to attend to the patients.
Services offered (annually) are medical and dental.

16
Water Source
The water that the residents use is mainly from the springs or “bukal”.
Some, however have piped waters. Piped waters and communal faucets are
common only to the residents of Laiban proper.

Few agricultural lands are irrigated as rain water is the source being used.
The ones that are irrigated depends on the springs also.

Electricity
No electric supply is present in Laiban, however, there are few
households that can afford generators.

Communication
No telephone/cellular signal is available in Laiban. Their only means of
communication is mainly radio. In very few households that have
generators, television is sometimes available.

i. Land Resource Use and Management Practice

Access to Land
Tax declaration is the most common form of land tenure system for both
A&D and timberland in the watershed. 98% of the area or about 6117
hectares is under tax declaration while the remaining 2% have land titles.

Crop Production and Product Marketing

The range that the residents of laiban till is from 1 to 10 hectares. The
average is 4. 1 hectares. Four farming practices are being done by the
communities in the watershed, namely:
1. Irrigated lowland-based cropping systems

17
 2. Rainfed lowland-based cropping systems
3. Rainfed upland-based cropping system
4. Slash and burn or kaingin system
The residents can only plant twice a year in irrigated farms and once a year only
on rainfed farms. In kaingin farms, farmers can plant all year round.

Here is a table showing the crops planted in different farming areas:

Irrigated Rainfed lowlands Kaingin

Rice Vegetables Banana, Upland
rice, corn
Vegetables(planted Peanut, Corn, Tubers, garlic,
every after harvest Sweet Potatoes, yam, squash
of rice) Cassava, ginger,
Mango, citrus,
guava, caimito
(fruit bearing
trees)
Table 3. Crops

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 CHAPTER V

ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE
OF THE
REMONTADOS

This chapter will discuss and enumerate the beliefs, practices and knowledge of the
local fauna and flora of the Remontados.

I. Practices

A. Agriculture

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 Figure 1.Kaingin

The graph above shows how many of the residents are practicing, practiced
before and do not practice kaingin anymore.
At present, many are still practicing kaingin. This is because agriculture is the
main source of living in the place. They are also surrounded by mountains having
slopes of 50% and above, therefore, there is only a small area of levelled land to farm.
Because of this, people resort to kaingin or slash and burn to have lands that they can
cultivate. Owners in Laiban have as little as 1 hectare of land to a huge 10 hectares.
The average size, however is 4.1 has. Remontados in Laiban plant crops such as
upland rice, corn, pineapple, taro and other root crops.

The 7% who practiced kaingin before are the elderly people/couples whose
children already left and cannot go up the mountains and till land anymore. They prefer
to stay at home and plant in their backyards.

20
 Figure 2.Farmland

Majority of the residents also are the first one who cleared the land where they
farm. As indicated in Figure 2, seventy two percent (72%) of them are the original
kaingiñeros.
Figure 2 has a significant relationship with Figure 1. Notice that the number of
people who do not practice kaingin is almost the same as the number of people who are
either borrowing the land and/or inherited it (18% and 17%).Reason is that they do not
do kaingin because the land they are farming were already cleared by the ones who
provided them the property. The excess one percent are those people who have
“palayan” or rice fields in the scarce plains near Laiban Proper or the ones who just
recently settled into the place.

An example of farmland in Laiban, Tanay Rizal

(photo by Francis Matthew De Guzman)

21
Multi-Cropping

11%
89%

Figure 3.

22
 As much as eighty-nine (89%) percent of the residents practice multi-cropping on
the lands that they have cleared. They plant varieties of root crops like kamote;
vegetables and grains such as rice and corn. Aside from these, peanut and banana are
also planted to maximize the use of land. They also plant trees if space is still available.
The most common tree planted in excess kaingin spaces is coffee.

Using Fertilizer

Figure 4

23
 The use of commercial and artificial fertilizer to nourish crop and plant growth is
prevalent among Remontados farmers. They said it is for better and more abundant
harvest. Plants also grow faster when artificial fertilizer is used according to them.
However, there are still more who grow plants the natural way. They opted not to use
artificial fertilizers and instead use chicken manure and other organic composts. The
most common reasons on why they do not use artificial fertilizer is that it damages the
plants more and it is not sustainable in the long the run as it will make the soil acidic.
Some others think that the soil they farm is already fertile so there is no need to buy
fertilizer anymore, as it will just add to the cost of planting according to them.

Figure 5

After harvesting, more than half of the farmers use the land right away as seen
on figure 5. They said it is where they get much of their food; therefore, they have to
plant immediately, so that before the first harvest is gone, they already have another
24
one coming. They also do not want the land to remain vacant for a long time because
stray grasses and weeds grow fast.

There are also people who let the land fallow. The Remontados said that they do
this so that the land can rest and gain the lost nutrients during the last season of
planting. Others do not plant immediately because they have to clean and clear it of
weeds and grasses first. Some also said they are not the owner of the land so they
have to wait for the property owner’s instruction before planting again. Fallowing period
ranges from two weeks to almost three months.

Horticulture

Figure 6

A lot of residents as seen on figure 6. practice horticulture or planting in the

backyard or around the house in small plots. Backyard is considered an extension of the
field as they also plant the same vegetables and root crops on their yard.
25
 Aside from edible crops, the Remontados also plant trees such as narra, guava
and jackfruit. Flowering plants and orchids can also be seen gracing their “kubo”.

Crops harvested in the backyard supplements their needs for food. Market is
very far from Laiban Proper and it is hard to travel up to the town as the road is rough
and becomes muddy when it rains so what they plant and eventually harvest is also
what they eat. It is seldom that the produce from the backyard is sold together with the
harvested crops from the field in the market.

Horticulture.
Residents often plant trees and
vegetables inside their
garden/yard.

(photo by: Francis Matthew De

Guzman)

26
 B. Fishing and gathering of talangka

Laiban Proper is near a river and waterfalls which has fishes, and talangka
swimming under its waters. Fishes that can be caught in the river are carp, tilapia and
eel or Palos. Aside from vegetables, fruits and meat, people also catch fish and
talangka for food.

This part will describe how the Remontados catch the animals mentioned above.

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 Figure 7

Fishing with hook and line is still the most popular way to catch fishes. Next is by
trapping the fish followed by using net or pasalap as the locals call it. A few who know
how to use bow and arrow use their skills to catch fishes. Most of the time, people use
more than one method of catching fish, for example sometimes they use hook and line
and then in other times they use pasalap.

In catching talangka, the Remontados use their hands only because it is too
small to be caught by net and shot by bow and arrow. It also the easiest way to get
them.

When they want to eat talangka, they just go to the river and look for it. They
bring a small container with them and put the catch inside. Talangka are usually found
nestled under rocks in shallow waters.

If ever they saw that the fish or talangka is pregnant, it is often that they let the
catch go for it to propagate. But when fishing using hook and line, if the fish is pregnant,
they still catch it because if they’ll put it back, it will just die. When the catch is still small,
especially the talangka, they also let it go for it grow.

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 Talangka caught in Laiban, Tanay Rizal River in Laiban Proper, Tanay Rizal
(photos by: Francis Matthew De Guzman)

C. Hunting

Hunting of wild animals is also done in the area. When caught, they either eat the
catch or trade it in other towns. However not many do it anymore as the wild animals
that they often catch before such as baboy damo(wild pig) and deer have decreased in
number. Apart from that, the Philippine Brown deer’s trade is prohibited now while the
wild pig’s is “strictly regulated”, so catching these or too many of them is presently
illegal.

The instrument used in hunting by the Remontados will be discussed in this part.

29
 Figure 8

The most common instrument used in hunting is gun and spear. Followed by
trap, itak and then bow and arrow. They also use the help of dogs to catch small wild
animals.

Other than wild pig and deer, Remontados also hunt for monkeys, musang,
monitor lizards and birds such as pugong labuyo or partridge.

One type of trap that the Remontados use is a string with food. They use it to
catch monitor lizard. The trap looks like a dog’s leash, so when the lizard walk inside the
knot with food, it will be stuck.

Remontados do not usually catch wild animals when they are still very young.
They catch them when they have grown already or have matured enough. They have
different views on why should it be caught at that time. Some said because it is tastes
better, other wants the small ones to grow first. But on times they don’t have enough
food, they are left with no choice but to catch whatever is available.

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 A young deer in Laiban, it is prohibited to catch this now
(photo by: Francis Matthew De Guzman)

D. Usage of Trees

Trees is one of the main resources found in Laiban. This part will discuss how the
people utilize such an abundant resource.

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 Figure 9

Figure 9 shows that all the people use the trees to build their houses. The most
common tree used is coconut since it grows faster than most trees and it can be found
all over the place. Coconut wood is strong enough to support the weaved bamboo strips
wall or sawali nailed into it that’s why it is favoured by the residents. People who have
concrete houses use coconut wood as framework before building their houses.

Most Remontados cannot afford to buy LPG from the town. Instead they use
“uling” or charcoal for cooking purposes. Hence, trees as charcoal is the second use of
trees to them. The trees they use to make charcoal are those ones that grow fast, it is
prohibited to cut old growth trees in the forest. Fallen braches are also included in the
selection for charcoal making.

Buying furniture from the town is much more expensive so the residents make
their own furniture from the trees. They make tables, beds and chairs from the tree
called lauwan or “kahoy gubat”.

The few who sells trees have stopped presently because it is prohibited by the
DENR and is now illegal. However, commercial loggers from big logging companies still
cut trees in other nearby forests according to the residents.

32
 People use wood as “panggatong”

(photo by: Francis Matthew De Guzman)

II. Beliefs

Many people, especially the old ones believe in the healing power of
“esperitistas” and “albularyos”. When people for example, get bitten by a poisonous
snake or got sick because of unknown reasons (namatanda, nagagalaw), they are
frequently brought to the “albularyo” who belongs to the Dumagat clan or the natives as
the residents call the other group. The “albularyo” performs rituals like burning tawas
(alum) to relieve pains and cure the sick.

Supernatural Beings

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 Figure 10

The chart in figure 10 shows how many residents believe or do not believe in
spirits guarding nature. As seen in the chart, more than half of the population in Laiban
Proper still believes that there exist supernatural beings like lamang lupa, nuno sa
punso (dwarfs), maligno, tikbalang (centaur), engkanto and white lady that will get angry
if ever their home is disturbed. Because of this belief, people treat nature more carefully.
They do not want to get hurt by the said beings.

The people who do not believe said they have to see the beings first for them to
believe.

Sacred Places

Falls are sacred places for some of the residents. Though unlike other
indigenous groups, they do not prohibit other people or tourists to the place. Instead,
they bring tourists to the site for them to enjoy it as much as they do and for them to see
the beauty of nature that will inspire them to take care of it like they do. It is sacred for
them, as it is believed that the waters can cure illnesses.

Falls in Laiban.
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 (photo by: Francis Matthew De Guzman)

III. Knowledge of local fauna, flora and place

Birds

There are about 85 species of birds residing in the mountains around Laiban (see
annex for the list), of the 85, fifty (50) are resident species while the remaining are
endemic and migratory. Birds make up about 70% of the total faunal population.

When asked to identify species of birds that they know, residents can quickly identify
five to nine different species right away. Most popular specie is bato-bato and kalaw.
After collecting data from the residents, the researcher tallied the answers and the result
is a list of fifteen avifaunal species or 30% of the 50 resident species.

Reptiles

Fifteen (15) species of reptiles (see annex for the list) are found on the area
according to the report of SSMWC. The residents identified 10 different species of
snakes, four lizards and one specie of turtle. Some examples of snakes are ula, cobra,
sawa, bituwinan, dahong palay, kamatsala and ahas bahay. “Pawikang tabang ” is the
35
the specie of turtle that can be seen on Laiban. It snaps its mouth and bite people, the
locals said. On the other hand, the residents are able to identify four species of lizards.
They are alamid, tuko (gecko), iguana and bayawak (monitor lizard).

Trees

There is no approximate number of species identified for trees from the SSMWC but
from the data gathered from the residents, we can make one. All in all, Proper Laiban
residents identified thirty-seven (37) different species of trees that they know- fruit
bearing and not. They are written in the table below.

Accacia Coffee Kamatchili Mulawin Tiaong

Apitong Depo Karay Narra Tibig
Avocado Duhat tree Langka Rambutan Tigre
Balayung Gejo Lauwan Saliksik Waling-
waling
Buho Gemilina Mahogany Sampaloc
Tree
Cacao Guava Tree Manga Santol tree
Caimito Guyabano Mangium Suha
Tree
Coconut Kamagong Mariposa Tangisang Bayawak
Table 4. List of trees identified by the Remontados

Residents show high knowledge of the local fauna and flora. It can be seen on
the number of species they can recognize, especially trees and reptiles. Of the fifteen
identified reptiles, they were able to identify all. Apart from knowing the different
varieties of fauna and flora, they also know where to locate them when someone ask
their assistance in finding a certain specie, especially trees.

It is not only trees and animals that the residents can locate, they can also find
the eco-tourism spots identified by Miriam P.E.A.C.E like May-sawa falls, Makaingaran

36
 falls, Ton-ton Falls, Magata Cave and Puting Bato cave. The residents can also wander
inside the vast forests and mountains without getting lost. Thus, showing their familiarity
of the place.

Chapter VI

CONTRIBUTION OF REMONTADOS AND THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO SSMWC

This chapter will discuss how the identified environmental knowledge of the
Remontados contributed or are contributing to the components of SSMWC which are
Protection of Natural Habitat, Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems, Eco-historical
Tourism.

A. Protection of Natural Habitat

Protection of Natural Habitat’s first objective is to protect natural forest, caves,
rivers, springs and other ecosystems found in the area. To fulfil this objective, Miriam
P.E.A.C.E has to identify first where they are located. Based on the result from the
previous chapter, residents are very familiar with the place. They can trek through the
mountains and forests without getting lost. Miriam P.E.A.C.E can use the knowledge of
the Remontados about the place to get an idea of where the areas that need to be
protected are located.

Under this category are building of guardhouses at the main entrances and
patrolling of the sanctuary. Since many Remontados do their own furniture and “kubo”
houses, their building skills can be utilized to set up guardhouses in SSMWC’s
entrances. They can also be good patrollers as they know the place well.

37
 Resource use regulation is also essential for the objective to be attained so,
gathering of endangered species and timber are prohibited. Remontados know the
present condition of the animals especially the wild pig and the deer, due to the
significant decrease in number of these species, they hardly hunt them now. They also
do not cut down old growth trees, they opt for trees like coconut for their needs.

B. Rehabilitation of Degraded Ecosystems

Identification of rehabilitation areas

The huge familiarity of the people with the place will again be useful here
because the degraded ecosystems have to be identified first. The people know where
the illegal loggers cut trees and those other areas that needs reforestation.

A database of indigenous tree species are also needed by Miriam so that they
will know what species should be planted at the reforestation sites. The Remontados
showed great expertise in identifying different species of trees that can be found in the
place. They can help Miriam complete a database using this knowledge.

Selection of tree species

Identifying the best species of trees to be planted in a specific area is a very

crucial step for a reforestation project. How many trees survived will determine if the
project is a success or not. Mortality rate of the specie should be low and the tree
should be compatible with the soil type where it is planted. Miriam P.E.A.C.E can utilize
the collective knowledge of the residents about plant species. After living for as long as
fifty seven years in the same place, the people are already familiar with how saplings
react to the soil type of an area and know what type of tree should be best planted.

38
 According to the SSMWC comprehensive plan, “ wild saplings will be gathered
from surrounding areas and will be maintained in the nursery and backyards of
communities.” It can be noted from the previous chapter that the Remontados practice
horticulture or planting in the backyard. Because of this, P.E.A.C.E will have no trouble
executing the plan because the residents are doing it already. Some even extends their
efforts to other areas like near the river where they plant trees such as narra.

Monitoring of reforestation site

Monitoring of the site will be done regularly according to P.E.A.C.E to determine

the survival rate of planted trees. It will be done by a team from Miriam and from
partners. Locals can help Miriam in monitoring the areas of reforestation and the
observation plots. People from Miriam cannot always be in the site, so when they are
not present, the locals can take over.

C. Research
P.E.A.C.E aims for different researches about biodiversity in SSMWC,
community composition and structure of Remontados and Dumagats, environmental
accounting and economics, etc. Researchers can go to Laiban and do their researches
with the aid of the residents- by touring them around the place, explaining different
issues concerning the environment and showing them how their community functions.
With the help of the community, researchers can accomplish their researches that will
help further understand the current state of Southern Sierra Madre and the different
species of animals living within it. Once indentified, problems can be reviewed and
solutions given, thus making the management of the area more efficient.

D. Eco-Historical Tourism

39
 As stated earlier, there are many natural wonders around Laiban and SSMWC.
These includes caves like Bahay Leon and Manabac, water bodies such as May sawa
falls and Lanatin River and springs.

Miriam P.E.A.C.E would like to promote these natural wonders as it nourishes

knowledge of other people about the environment, promotes local culture and is
beneficial to the community.

Remontados can help Miriam meet this objective by helping in touring the guests
around their place- showing them the falls, caves and rivers, introducing them to the
different species of plants and animals around the area. They can be the best tourists
guides since they are the most familiar with the place. Residents can also teach the
tourists about their environmental practices and conservation strategies so that they can
lessen their impact to the environment.

As of now, eco-historical tourism project of Miriam in Laiban is not yet

implemented. They still have to gather more data about the place and do site
researches. Again, the Remontados can contribute much of their knowledge about the
place for the needed research to be accomplished.

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 Chapter VII
SUMMARY

The study’s objective is to identify the environmental knowledge of the

Remontados i.e their beliefs, practices and knowledge about local fauna, flora and place
and then interpret how these knowledge contributed or are contributing to Southern
Sierra Madre Wildlife Center.

During the course of the research, the researcher was able to identify practices
of the Remontados in Agriculture/ Farming, Fishing and Hunting. She also found out
some of their beliefs.

In agriculture, the researcher found out that Remontados still practice Kaingin or
slash and burn farming. Some farmers are the original ones who cleared the land,
others are just borrowing the land that they till. In their lands, they plant upland rice,
corn, vegetables and trees especially coffee. More farmers do not use artificial
fertilizers, instead they use chicken manure to nourish their crops. Farmers who let land
rest after harvesting is fewer than the ones who use it immediately after.

Residents practice horticulture in their backyards. They plant the same

vegetables and trees that they plant in their kaingin areas. They do no plant rice and
corn however.

Fishing practices includes catching fish using hook and line and pasalap or net.
Some use trap and bow, and arrow. In gathering of talangka, Remontados use hands.

41
 Hunting is not done often presently as the numbers of animals to be hunted have
decreased. It is also prohibited by the DENR to catch the top game animals in the place
which are Philippine Deer and Wild Pig.

In hunting and fishing, Remontados, most of the times let small animals go so
they can still grow. They also do the same for the pregnant ones.

Residents of Laiban are knowledgeable about their place. They know many
species of trees and animals that are living in the mountains. If ever someone ask them
to locate the species they have identified, they can show where that certain specie can
be found, especially trees.

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 Chapter VIII
CONCLUSIONS

From the results in Chapter VI, the researcher can say that the Remontados-
their knowledge and practices has contributed and is still contributing significantly
towards the protection of SSMWC. They do not perform anything that will destroy their
environment and they follow rules given by Miriam and the DENR. The locals even help
Miriam in conducting their projects in the place.

Ms. Donna Reyes of ESI called the Remontados “key” to the conservation of
Laiban and SSMWC since they are the one who reside in the place. They help in the
maintenance and conservation of the whole forest according to her because people
from Miriam cannot always stay and monitor the area.

43
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