The use of non-wood forest products by migrants in a new settlement: Experiences of a Visayan community in Palawan, Philippines

Background

In the early 20th century, Palawan, historically a sparsely populated island of the Philippines, became a “frontier,” attracting migrants from other Philippine islands who sought land ownership. Previous studies of migration to Palawan focused on the difficulties of converting forests to farmland and the subsequent hunger these migrants experienced. Despite coming from agricultural backgrounds, the predominantly Visayan migrants in Dumanguena, a village located south of the Palawan capital, Puerto Princesa, had to learn new skills related to the collection and use of non-wood forest products (NWFPs) in their new environment.

Goals and Methods

The primary goals of this study are to identify the local NWFPs that migrant households in Manaile, Dumanguena use and to determine the extent of their use. This research is part of a larger study that examines NWFP familiarity and use across various settlement groups in an area with a strong dependence on forest resources and a mix of ethnic groups. The study specifically focuses on the migrant community situated close to the indigenous Tagbanua and provides a descriptive analysis of their NWFP usage. The methodology involves interviewing 45 heads of households in Manaile. Data collection occurs in two phases between 1998 and early 1999. The first phase establishes familiarity with NWFP species, while the second phase affirms initial responses and gathers additional information. Participant observation, including visits to the forest, local markets, and village meetings, as well as interviews with key informants, supplement the survey data.

Conclusions and Takeaways

The study's major outcomes indicate that Visayan migrants successfully learn about and utilize NWFPs in Palawan, often with the help of indigenous people and earlier migrants. Currently, most NWFPs serve as supplements to agricultural products for both subsistence and income, with the exception of almaciga resin and house-building materials. The migrants utilize a wide range of forest resources for food, medicine, and housing, demonstrating their adaptation to their new environment. While there is an interest in the commercialization of NWFPs like almaciga resin and rattan, challenges such as market access, processing facilities, and resource depletion exist. Subsistence NWFPs, on the other hand, are gathered as needed and face no immediate threat of scarcity, although preserving the natural forest is crucial for their continued availability.