Proceedingsof the 2 Palawan Research Symposium 2015 Proceedings of 2nd... · 2020. 10. 4. · Palawan Research Symposium 2015” and “Palawan Research and Sustainable Development

Proceedingsof the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 i

Science, Technology and Innovation for Sustainable Development Proceedings of the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 National Research Forum on Palawan Sustainable Development 9-10 December 2015 Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

Short extracts from this publication may be reproduced for individual use, even without permission, provided that this source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction for sale or other commercial purposes is however prohibited without the written consent of the publisher. Electronic copy is also available in www.pcsd.gov.ph and www.pkp.pcsd.gov.ph.

Editorial Board:

Director Josephine S. Matulac, Planning Director, PCSDS Engr. Madrono P.Cabrestante Jr, Knowledge Management Division Head, PCSDS Prof. Mildred P. Palon, Research Director, HTU Dr. Patrick A. Regoniel, Research Director, PSU Dr. Benjamin J. Gonzales, Vice President for Research, Development & Extension, WPU Exec. Dir. Nelson P. Devanadera, Executive Director, PCSDS

Editorial Staff: Celso Quiling Bernard F. Mendoza Lyn S. Valdez Jenevieve P. Hara Published by:

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff-ECAN Knowledge Management PCSD Building, Sports Complex Road, Brgy. Sta. Monica,Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines Tel. No. +63 48 434-4235, Telefax: +63 48 434-4234 www.pkp.pcsd.gov.ph

Philippine Copyright ©2016 by PCSDS Palawan, Philippines ISBN: ___________ Suggested Citation:

Matulac, J.L.S, M.P. Cabrestante, M.P. Palon, P.A. Regoniel, B.J. Gonzales, and N.P. Devanadera. Eds. 2016. Proceedings of the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015. National Research Forum on Palawan Sustainable Development, “Science, Technology & Innovation. Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.

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http://www.pcsd.gov.ph/

http://www.pkp.pcsd.gov.ph/

Acknowledgement

The PCSDS and the symposium-workshop collaborators would like to acknowledge the following:

For serving as secretariat, documenters, and facilitating the symposium, concurrent sessions and workshops:

Prof. Mildred P. Palon Prof. John Lemuel J. Noche Mr. Brandon C. Manglapus

HTU

Prof. Marissa S. Pontillas Prof. Eva Marie C. Ponce De Leon

Ms. Shirley M. Dangan PSU

Dr. Ma. Asela C. Sebido Prof. Marivic A. Venturillo

Dr. Jhonamie M. Omar Prof. Elsa Carmen N. Montaño

WPU

The University Presidents and administration:

Holy Trinity University

Palawan State University

Western Philippines University

For their generous support and financial contribution:

USAID-STRIDE

Galoc Production Company

Jewelmer International Corporation

HIKARI SSP Corporation

Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., Globe Telecom, Purple Bamboo Spa

Proceedingsof the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 iii

Preface

Republic Act 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan Act (SEP Law) promotes sustainable development of Palawan and the City Puerto Princesa through proper conservation, utilization and development of natural resources to provide optimum yields on a continuing basis. The SEP serves as a framework to guide the government agencies concerned in the formulation and implementation of plans, programs and projects affecting the environment and natural resources of Palawan. Three support mechanisms have been identified to help sustain the Environmentally Critical Areas Network (ECAN), the main strategy of SEP: environmental research, environmental monitoring and evaluation system (EMES), and environmental education and extension. The implementing rules and regulations of the SEP Law directs the Council staff, and its agency-partners possessing various disciplines (or expertise) to “undertake researches, continually review them, compile, integrate and evaluate researches… and make recommendations based on their studies”. It further stipulated that “researches shall not be confined to the physical and biological features of the environment but shall also extend to policies and socio-economic questions/issues”. Two years ago (2013), the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS) conducted the 1st Palawan Research and Policy Symposium with the theme “Science for Sustainable Development”. This time, the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium is organized by the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff in collaboration with Holy Trinity University, Palawan State University, Western Philippines University and USAID-STRIDE. This symposium aims to: 1) present, report or showcase the researches and studies conducted or being currently undertaken in the Province of Palawan and the City of Puerto Princesa; 2) assess and/or relate the implications of the conducted researches and studies in response to the industry leading to technological innovation, production, commercialization, and popularization of these researches; and 3) develop a long term research and sustainable development agenda for Palawan for 2016-2030.

With this ‘Proceedings of the Symposium’, the people of Palawan and Puerto Princesa City, as well as other stakeholders,will be provided with a bird’s eyeview of the research studies being undertaken in this ‘last ecological frontier’. The information presented during the symposium, as documented in this proceedings, shall hopefully guide the government officials and local leaders in formulating ‘science-based decisions, policies and regulations’ that will help ensure the sustainable development of the province and the city.

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Messages

Executive Director NELSON P. DEVANADERA Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Secretary, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

Welcome Remarks delivered during the “2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015” and “Palawan Research and Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop” at the Citystate Asturias Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, 09 December 2015.

Our partners and collaborators that have contributed time, resources and expertise to make this event possible: the USAID-STRIDE, RTI International; from the academe: Western Philippines University, Palawan State University and Holy Trinity University; our donors: Galoc Production Company, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Jewelmer International Corporation, and Hikari SSP Corporation; participants and guests, good morning.

In behalf of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, I am very pleased to welcome you all to the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium. This is an exciting event not only for the scientists but also to the policy makers and technocrats as well. We must be aware, attuned and responsive to the call of present times. Given the global concern on the effects of changing climate in our midst, decision making must be carefully supported with science-based information.

Hence, our two-day activity is a manifestation of how we wanted things done in Palawan. We want to work together with all stakeholders and communities. We want your involvement and participation. We want distribution of the sense of ownership, so that all of us are imbued with the sense of responsibility and pride in our common vision for Palawan.

While our respective institutions have identified what to pursue based on our mandates, it is high time that we focus towards consolidating our initiatives and define the research agenda for the whole of Palawan. I take pride that we have taken necessary steps to achieve this goal. It is not attainable in just single leap but with your cooperation and support, I am confident that we are on the right direction.

The challenge for all of us today is how to ensure that we may be able to preserve the unique biodiversity that Palawan is richly endowed with. We have high value conservation areas. We are home to two natural world heritage sites and Ramsar Wetlands of International Importance, 10 protected areas under the NIPAS and 32 Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs). The given facts showed that the province is undoubtedly teeming with endemic flora and fauna. Certainly, a researcher’s endless playground and a scientist’s haven!

While we are pursuing academic advancement through science, let us also endeavor to convert our learnings, data, ideas and information into wealth creation that will benefit our people in a long term perspective.

Contributing to the total economic well-being of our people is one effective means to deter further pressure to the resources that is available within our side of this planet. I believed that both our human and natural resources in Palawan are capable to make this challenge a reality in the very near future.

I challenge the young minds to explore and develop something from what you may be able to see around. Palawan is such a haven for discoveries and potential. Let us not wait for

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others to discover and take away our biological treasures through bioprospecting and worst, by bio-piracy. Let us be vigilant or else we lose what is rightfully ours.

Palawan is ours to take care of. The country is counting on us. There will never be another last frontier. Palawan is our intergenerational legacy and our promise to the future; Palawan… the destination, experience and learnings, and the global center for sustainable development.

Again, welcome to all of you! Maraming salamat po.

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Hon. VICTORINO DENNIS M. SOCRATES Vice-Governor, Province of Palawan Vice-Chairman, Palawan Council for Sustainable Development

Inspirational Message delivered during the “2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015” and “Palawan Research & Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop” at the Citystate Asturias Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, 09 December 2015.

On behalf of our beloved Governor, the Honorable Jose Chaves Alvarez, and of the

Provincial Government of Palawan, it is my honor and pleasure to be with you in this symposium. As we thank and congratulate you all for your contributions to our pool of scientific knowledge, allow me to take this opportunity to share something about the direction of the Provincial Government of Palawan.

As we are all aware, our Province is widely known as the country’s Last Frontier, which is a come-on for the tourism industry. But “frontier” also means being undeveloped; being at the border or at the fringes of civilization; being marginalized; or to use a current definition of “poverty”, “being excluded from networks of productivity and exchange”. Being the country’s Last Frontier also means being among the poorest, least developed provinces. Outside of Puerto Princesa City, 60% of our population may be described as is living below the poverty line. Majority of the households in Palawan do not have electricity; many barangays still have no access to public transportation; many still draw water from open wells. In some parts, living conditions are not only a throwback to the Dark Ages; but even worse, a throwback to the Stone Age.

The present political leadership of the Provincial Government of Palawan is committed to bringing our province and people out of that frontier status. Under the no-nonsense management of Governor JCA, we hope to leapfrog, to pole vault, to fly, from Fourth World to First World in nine years – with your help, with help from everyone.

And yes, of course, the development we have in mind is “sustainable development”; which means, in the language of the Strategic Environmental Plan for Palawan, “the improvement in the quality of life of present and future generations through the complementation of development and environmental protection activities” (Sec. 3 [2], RA 7611). The difficulty, of course, always and everywhere, is in obtaining general agreement on the point of equilibrium between “sustainable” and “development”. We trust that your discussion will be of help in resolving that conundrum.

Finally, allow me to end with a quote from Blessed Pope Paul VI, from his 1967 Encyclical Letter, Populorum Progressio, I quote: “The development we speak of here cannot be restricted to economic growth alone. To be authentic, it must be well rounded; it must foster the development of each man and of the whole man” (PP, No.14). We are also mindful of what Pope Benedict XVI calls, in his last Encyclical Letter, Caritas in Veritate: the principle of the centrality of the human person, as the subject primarily responsible for development” (CiV, No.47).

Thank you very much for bearing with me. Congratulations to everyone for making this event happen. I wish you all the best in all your endeavors.

Muli po, magandang araw sa inyong lahat.

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Dr. BENJAMIN J. GONZALES Vice President for Research, Development and Extension Western Philippines University

Closing Remarks delivered during the “2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015” and “Palawan Research and Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop” at the Citystate Asturias Hotel, Puerto Princesa City, 10 December 2015.

Good afternoon! I commend everyone for your active participation in our two-day symposium. We

acknowledge our partners and collaborators in making this activity possible: the USAID-STRIDE-RTI International; the academe: Western Philippines University, Palawan State University and Holy Trinity University; our donors: Galoc Production Company, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Jewelmer International Corporation and HIKARI SSP Corporation.

This symposium is the second of its kind, and we would like to pursue more collaboration in the future.

We would like to work together to protect the best interests of our province because if we don’t, no one else will do. Researchers do come and go in Palawan, and not only sometimes but many times the result of researches are not being disseminated to Palawan managers and policy makers. It is imperative that a local organization/institution should have its own initiative to do researches. The challenge rests on each one of us. Given the magnitude of our tasks and the realities of our limitations as an institution, we count on the support of all stakeholders in our initiatives to keep Palawan a place of learning and experience and to uphold the environmental integrity of Palawan.

From among the PCSD Staff, we would like to commend the team of Engr. Madrono Cabrestante, Jr. for taking the lead in organizing this symposium; we all know that it is not easy to prepare for this kind of symposium, specially a scientific one. They have worked so hard to ensure that this activity will be a success. Congratulations Jong and your support staff for a job well done! Likewise, congratulations Director Jo Matulac for the overall guidance you provided to the group and of course to all of the presenters, we know how we go out of our usual routines. Research is not a routinary work, every one of us here does not belong to a research institute per se, research is additional work for us as academic instructors even to the PCSDS, so if you do research it means that you did an extra mile.

Let me challenge all participants of this symposium to continue exploring ideas from here. This event has provided a venue for sharing of learnings that our presenters have worked on, as they pursue their respective interests. The call of times is for us to discover and develop ideas of commercial value. It is not a farfetched possibility that anyone of you today could carve a niche in the field of commercial science. Palawan is a living laboratory that we are so fortunate to experience. As we saw the presentations, many of us did fieldworks across municipalities in Palawan, our experiences also show that even if we don’t have the hardcore laboratories for research we still have the field, we have the coastal areas, forest, mountains etc. as our medium for research. To the young minds (and senior minds as well), continue exploring and discover individual destiny and our own Palawan’s destiny.

We must aim not only Palawan sustainable destiny but also for a fruitful destiny for each and every one of us.

Mabuhay po tayong lahat.

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CONTENTS Acknowledgement ................................................................................................................................................. iii

Preface ................................................................................................................................................................... iv

Messages................................................................................................................................................................. v

Highlights of the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium ............................................................................................ 1

Highlights of the Palawan Research and Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop ........................................ 2

EXTENDED ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................................... 6

SESSION 1: BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES .......................................................................... 6

Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. ............................................................................................................................................................ 7

Bernardo, Alejandro A., Jr.2015. Conversion of forest to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation in Aborlan, Palawan: unveiling its impact to forest avifaunal diversity. ................................................................................. 13

Bernardo, Alejandro A. Jr. 2015. Identification, Characterization and Mapping of Nesting Trees of Commonly Poached Bird Species in Talakaigan Watershed: A Community Conservation Strategy. .................................... 19

Bocxe, Kellie G., L. Vermeer, P. Zuidema, L. Sopsop, K. Hoevenaars. 2015.Effects of Resin Harvest on Physical Status and Reproduction of Agathis philippinensis. ............................................................................... 25

Cayatoc, Felizardo B., R.G.Dolorosa, J.G. Becira, H.B.Pagliawan, R.A.T. Balisco, B.S. Montano, E.F. Rodriguez, N.D. Dieron, J. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Sustainable Coral Reefecosystem Management in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan: A Conservation Effort on Coral Reef Rehabilitation. ..................................... 34

Cayatoc, Felizardo B., R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, J.D. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Reef Assessment In Matinloc, Tapiutan And Cadlao Islands,El Nido, Palawan. ......................................................... 40

Consad, Hermanito B. II. 2015. Source and Quality of Drinking Water and Prevalence of Water-related Diseases in Selected Community-based Sustainable Tourism Sites in Puerto Princesa City. ............................................. 53

Dela Peňa, Hermenegildo P., M.D. Pido, J.S. Sespeñe. 2015. Is Palawan’s Inner Malampaya Sound Overfished? Implications from Recent Fieldwork. ................................................................................................................... 60

Dimalibot, Judeline C., and GAIA South, Inc. 2015.Survey and Assessment of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA. ......................................................................................................................... 66

Dolorosa, Roger G., and Matillano J. A. 2015. Changes in coral cover and reef associated fauna in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan. .................................................................................................................... 73

Garcellano, Rhea C., H.M. Dahse, S.G. Franzblau, Y. Wang, A.M. Aguinaldo. 2015. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation Of Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic and Antituberculosis Activities of Three Apocynaceae Plants Endemic To Palawan. ................................................................................................................................ 77

Hara, Jenevieve P., M.P. Cabrestante Jr. and M.F.Martinico-Perez.2015. Are the Coastal Marine Waters of North Mainland Palawan’s Major Tourism Sites Fit For Recreation?.................................................................. 81

Marler, Paris N., L.S.G. Castro, K. Hoevenaars.2015. Mammalian Fauna of the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR): A Camera Trap Study of Palawan’s Mammals. ............................................................ 87

Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr. 2015. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River Water Quality in Palawan. .......................................................................................................................... 94

Rubite R.R., M. Hughes M., Blanc P., Kono Y., Yang A., Alejandro G., De Layola, L.B., Virata AG N., Chung K., Peng C. 2015.Three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan. .................................................................................................................................................... 101

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Salazar, Claribel B., R.A.T. Balisco, R.G. Dolorosa. 2015. Species Inventory of Commercially Exploited Sea Cucumbers in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan ......................................................................... 107

SESSION 2 ......................................................................................................................................................... 112

SOCIO-CULTURAL-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STUDIES ................................................................... 112

Baguinbin, Darna, R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, A.T. Baaco A.T. 2015. Profitability of live lobster trading in Araceli, Palawan, Philippines. ............................................................................................................................ 113

Delfin, Mary Tootchie V. andR.G.Dolorosa.2015. Sea cucumber fishery in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan. .................................................................................................................................................. 118

Estrada, Zyvelle Joy G, J.G. Panolino, T.K.A. De Mesa, F.C.B. Abordo, R.N. Labao. 2015. An Ethnozoological Study of the Medicinal Animals Used by the Tagbanua Tribe in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan................................................................................................................................................ 123

Gonzales, James Aljed M. and Tito J.A. 2015. The Cause of Extinction of Tagbanwa Writing in Bgy.Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan................................................................................................................................................ 129

SESSION 3 ......................................................................................................................................................... 135

ENVIRONMENTAL/ NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT, TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND CLIMATE .......................................................................................................................................................... 135

CHANGE STUDIES .......................................................................................................................................... 135

Bacosa, C.A. Jr., A.S. Reyno, and G.B. Guardacasa. 2015. Cut Slope Stability Analysis And Mitigation Of Northern Palawan National Road. ...................................................................................................................... 136

Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. 2015. Site Characterization of Taytay, Palawan, Philippines Rainfall Triggered Shallow Landslide. ........................................................................................................................................................... 141

Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. and Mendoza C.R.L. 2015. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for Landslide Occurrence Monitoring. ......................................................................................................................................................... 149

Candelario, M.B., J.A. Jardin, L.M. Gonzales, A.A. Baldevieso. 2015. Status of Fisheries Resources of Honda Bay (2003–2013). ............................................................................................................................................... 156

Gacayan, Anabell C. 2015. Relevance and Responsiveness of Curricular Programs to Sustainable Development: Bases for a Model Curriculum. Palawan State University. ................................................................................. 160

Jose, Edgar D., K. Hoevenaars, K.M.R. Antonio. 2015. Developing Protocols on Propagation and Nursery Management of Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.): A Means of Preserving the Future of the Batak Tribe in the Forest of Cleopatra’s Needle, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. ............................................. 164

Paduga, Joseph R., and R.G. Dolorosa. 2015. Abundance of Sea Cucumbers and Catch per Unit Efforts in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan. ........................................................................................................ 169

Palon, Mildred P., C.A. Bacosa Jr, M.J.H. Germina, and J.E.C Villa. 2015. Modified Biosand Filter for the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A household Water Treatment. ................................................... 175

Perez, Marianne Faith G.M., K. Okuoka, H. Tanikawa. 2015. Material Flow and Stock Analysis to Support Sustainable Development Assessment in Palawan Philippines. ......................................................................... 179

Santos, Mudjekeewis, J.T. Williams, K.L. Carpenter, A. Lizano, N.A.L. Flores. 2015. Collaboration on the Inventory and DNA Barcoding of Commercial Fishes of the Philippines for Food Safety and Biodiversity: Palawan Sampling. ............................................................................................................................................. 186

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Highlights of the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium DAY 1: 09 December 2015 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 1. Registration started at 7:30 AM of 09 December 2015 facilitated by the secretariat

composed of staff from Holy Trinity University and PCSDS.A total of 120 participants registered for the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 (National Research Forum on Palawan Sustainable Development) held at Citystate Asturias Hotel on December 9, 2015.

2. The program started at 8:47AM with a prayer and singing of the Philippine National

Anthem. The master of ceremony and lead facilitator came from Palawan State University, assisted by a staff from PCSDS.

3. PCSDS Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera welcomed the guests and participants

and emphasized the significant role of research in sustainable development planning and decision making.

4. The participants from the different agencies were then recognized. In sum, the

participants of the symposium came from the following: twenty nine (29) from the academe and the Palawan Knowledge Platform (PKP) partners; nine (9) from Palawan Polytechnic College Inc. (PPCI); 15 were poster presenters, 19 oral presenters, 6 from funding agencies (e.g. Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation, Puerto Princesa Chamber of Commerce and Industry), 20 from local government units (LGU), and the rest were staff of PCSDS. Each participant was given a kit and tickets for lunch and snacks.

5. An inspirational message was delivered by Palawan Vice Governor & PCSD Vice

Chairman, Hon. Victorino Dennis M. Socrates as representative of the Governor.

6. The keynote speech was delivered by Dr. David Hall, Chief of Party of USAID-STRIDE. He highlighted their organization’s mission, vision and goals. In his presentation, he mentioned that sustainability is like seeing continuous improvement, initiative and inclusive economic growth driven by research in Philippine universities. He then emphasized that sustainability can be attained by having a foundation, fundamentals and understanding of the ecosystems. He also discussed the factors affecting the innovation ecosystem assessment which include education and human capital development, research and knowledge creation, transfer and know-how between universities and industries, intellectual property: protection, licensing and commercialization, startup and spinoff companies, and collaboration, knowledge sharing, trust, and lastly, the social capital. Mainly, his discussion focused on the four elements of innovation ecosystem assessment, as follows: 1) reform of procurement rules for research activities needed to achieve speed, efficiency, and relevance; 2) changes in counterpart funding in research grant structures are needed to align university-researcher incentives and potential research and development (R&D); 3) more appropriate expectations of university patent licensing revenue based on global benchmarks to facilitate better industry-academe collaboration;

Proceedingsof the 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 1

and, 4) building stronger university-industry relationships around shared missions and goals.

7. Dr. Hall also shared some of his observations on capacity development; raising standards;

increasing critical mass and the constraints of sustainability which are not only technical but also systemic and environmental. Before he ended his presentation, he gave an example about the rice, and emphasized that ‘it’s not only about the rice, it’s about what’s around the rice’. He then reiterated the three important things needed to attain sustainability: solid foundations, fundamentals (e.g. relationship of university and industry) and understanding of the ecosystem.

8. The plenary talk on “Technology Transfer and Commercialization from Philippine Universities: Processes and Challenges” was given by Dr. Gonzalo Serafica, a DOST Balik Scientist and consultant of USAID-STRIDE. Dr. Serafica pushed the participants to become an innovator like him. On the first part of his presentation, he shared how his journey started, the chronology of product development and his milestones in industry funding. According to Dr. Serafica, there are four start up challenges such as: 1) recruiting early stakeholders-RPI; 2) raising the first venture financing; 3) completing management team; and 4) identifying the path to market or the marketing partner and clinical support. He also said that ‘there is a gap on the ability and knowledge to utilize the technologies’. In examining the technology ventures, he emphasized “TRIM” which means: technology focus/advantage, regulatory pathways, intellectual property, market potential, manufacturing scale up, or money. He also gave some tips regarding fund sourcing such as when asking funding support, it must clearly justify why you are asking that much.

9. Dr. Serafica also shared to the participants his “DOST Balik Scientist” activities such as

reviewing technology portfolio, meeting the researchers and inventors, identifying possible private partners, addressing scale-up and commercialization, and value proposition to investors/adopters. He also mentioned his consultancy activities with USAID-STRIDE: increasing industry-university linkages, promoting collaborative research grants (CARWIN and PURE), university faculty internship in industry, Philippine government university-industry research roundtable ( PGUIRR), and the S&T policy review – tech transfer law and procurement law. He also gave some lessons learned for everyone to dare to dream, saying that one cannot have too many friends, and reminded everyone that you cannot do it all, control is an illusion, and lastly, failure is not an option.

10. There were photo opportunities before and after the ribbon cutting in the opening of poster exhibits.

11. At 10:28AM, the opening of the poster exhibits took place with the ribbon cutting led by Vice Governor Dennis Socrates, USAID-STRIDE Chief of Party Dr. David Hall, Dr. Gonzalo Serafica and PCSDS Executive Director Nelson Devanadera. There were 20 professional posters and 6 student posters presented for competition. The posters were judged by the participants and invited judges for the top 3 best poster for professional category and one best poster for student category.


12. Part 2 of the forum was the three concurrent sessions. The concurrent session started at

10:35AM. 13. Before the oral presentations, assigned facilitators briefed the presenters of the criteria

and house rules. There were 8 studies on ecological and biodiversity presented by different researchers from different agencies, 8 on Socio-cultural economic studies (5 professional and 3 students) and 8 on Environment and Natural Resources Management, Technology and Innovation studies. All the presented researches were also for competition. An open forum was also done after each session.

14. Part 3 was the USAID–Stride Innovation Workshop: Industry–Academe Collaboration

for Technology transfer and Research Commercialization was done in the afternoon of Day 1. At 1:27 PM, the program resumed after the lunch break. Ms. Michelle Solano, Partnership Officer of the USAID Stride program introduced USAID Stride and the Workshop Objectives.

15. Ms. Solano clearly emphasized that the presence of USAID-STRIDE in Palawan is primarily to foster collaboration between industry and academe towards innovative products, designs and solutions in the field of environmentally sustainable (green) construction.

16. Further, she said that the event is a great venue for the academe and industry in discussing

the technical ideas or challenges that can shape the future of their field of expertise; for academe, a chance to share current researches and teaching interest; and for the industry, to hear what the needs for commercialization are. According to her, everyone is supposed to be open to new ideas and viewpoints, participate and share inputs, and for the academe, there must be a collaborative research grant with industry and faculty internship or knowledge on industry activities through industry immersions. Furthermore, she emphasized that the next steps should be to host a faculty extern/volunteer, volunteer as a guest industry lecturer to a university, help organize and participate in a region specific or technology sector workshop, participate in their stakeholder meeting, explore joint research with academic researchers.

17. Before she ended her presentation, she gave an advice to all participants to define all ideal

products, designs, solutions as research challenges or contradiction. She added that ‘USAID is not expert in the field, you are expert, help drive the discussion, capture the interest of all’. The presentation ended at 1:57 PM.

18. At 2:00 pm, Dr. Serafica also of USAID-STRIDE who served as the moderator/facilitator, then asked each representative from Palawan Chamber of Commerce, PCSDS, NGO, UPLB, PSU, WPU and HTU, LGU, City Government on their industry’s needs for S&T support and products. Among the research needs discussed were on the following: cashew & mango production, fish kill, oil palm, cacao & coconut industry, exotic honey bees, mapping of critical habitat, energy development, crocodile farming, malaria disease and malaria parasites, ecotourism, aquaculture, phytoremediation, and effects of mining.


19. After the presentation of the industry needs, an example of academe –industry research

collaboration was presented by Dr. Lota Creencia of WPU, a STRIDE grantee having two grants (with Mr. Anthony Balisco) amounting to 4.3 M each on studies entitled “Increasing the Production of Abalone (Haliotis asinina) Juveniles in Hatchery and Nursery for Grow-out Farming as Supplemental Livelihood in Coastal Communities” and “Protocol Development for the Culture of Two High Value Marine Finfish Species as Livelihood Opportunity for the People of Palawan”.

20. Dr. Creencia shared some best practices of their project which include: continuous in-

house research, monthly monitoring and consultation (local knowledge), technical assistance and service (stakeholder/beneficiaries) and open lines of communication. The learning experiences likewise include: challenges encountered in rural coastal communities, the needs of improvement of local aquaculture industry practices and the need for upgrading of laboratory facilities (for hard science studies) of universities in Palawan. Before she ended her presentation, she shared that the academe-industry and other partnership’s collaboration must be strengthened and replicated, as well as the roll-out of some best practices of other stakeholders and to learn from experiences and address challenges.

21. After the presentation, Ms. Solano divided the participants into 6 groups for the

workshop. Each group was asked to give example of problem, current alternative, solution and possible source of funding. Some of the problems cited and presented were on food security, aqua culture resources, illegal poaching, adding value to waste products, IPs, and water pollution.

22. After the workshop presentations, the highlights of concurrent morning sessions were

reported by the assigned facilitator of each group: Prof. Elsa Carmen Montaño (of WPU) for Session 1- Ecological and Biodiversity studies; Mr. Brandon Manglapus (of HTU) for Session 2- Socio-Cultural-Economic studies and Prof. Eva Marie Ponce de Leon (of PSU) for Session 3- Environment and Natural Resources Management, Technology and Innovation and Climate Change studies. The highlights of studies presented during the breakout sessions were reported, particularly the key finding/ results, recommendations and policy implications. Also, the questions raised and answers of the corresponding researchers were discussed by the group facilitator during the plenary session (a copy of highlights of studies as well as the questions/answers in the concurrent sessions are attached as Annex 5).

23. The emcee then made important announcement prior to the adjournment of the day’s

program;

24. The program for the first day of the symposium ended at 4:31 pm.


Highlights of the Palawan Research and Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop DAY 2: 10 December 2015 Palawan Research and Sustainable Development Agenda Workshop

25. The second day of the activity started at 8:00 am. Video clips on the UN New Sustainable

Development Goals (Agenda 2030) were presented while waiting for the start of the program. The participants were asked to answer the survey form and return the accomplished ones to the Secretariat stationed at the Registration Area. They were also requested to refresh themselves with the subject at hand by reading through materials in their kit.

26. At 9:30 AM, Prof. Elsa Carmen Montaño, documenter from Western Philippines

University, presented the recap of the previous day’s activity.

27. Engr. Ryan Fuentes delivered the plenary talk on Palawan Sustainable Development Strategies and Action Plan which will serve as basis of Palawan Sustainable development Research Agenda and vice versa, in his presentation he discussed the framework for sustainable development (SEP), UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Palawan Sustainable Development Strategy and Action Plan (PSDSAP), the vision of the Plan is the provision of a good and dignified life for the Palaweño, through the establishment of a green economy supported by green jobs and sustainable energy, and within the carrying capacity of Palawan’s natural ecosystems. The main strategies are 1) to maximize the benefits derived from the environment and natural resources and 2) to prevent or minimize the negative impacts from introduced activities.

Further, he said that the plan will have 10 core themes, each of which has corresponding sustainable outcomes and targets. The PSDSAP contains a six-year (2015–2020) ECAN-based Action Plan for these themes. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with clear goals, outcomes, outputs, and targets will be defined in the 10 core themes. By 2016, NEDA will be producing a Philippine Sustainable Development Plan. With PSDSAP, Palawan is already a frontliner in producing such plan. The 10 outcomes below were based on the core theme will satisfy the provincial Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. Forest and Watershed: Sustainable Management of Forests Ensured and

Degradation of Water Quality of Freshwater Ecosystems Prevented 2. Coastal and Marine: Resilient and Productive Coastal and Marine Ecosystems

Achieved 3. Biological Diversity: Loss of Palawan Biological Diversity Prevented 4. Food Security: Optimum Fishery and Agriculture Yields Ensured 5. Tourism: Competitive and Sustainably Managed Tourism Products and

Destinations Achieved 6. Physical Infrastructure: Adequacy and Accessibility of Basic Infrastructure

Services Enhanced, and Infrastructure Gaps Reduced 7. Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous Peoples Empowered and Poverty Among Them

Reduced


8. Training, Education, Research, and Monitoring: Sustainable Development Knowledge Produced and Internalized

9. Social Services: Human Capabilities Improved and Human Vulnerabilities Reduced

10. Sustainable Financing and Partnerships: Self-Reliant, Efficient, and Transparent Internal Fiscal System Instituted

The proposed Palawan SDGs were also discussed, and he emphasized that the measurement of SDGs and corresponding indicators will be quantitative and will try to be as objective as possible. The SDGs will be developed by experts and these will be communicated and mainstreamed to all concerned stakeholders. The 10 proposed Palawan SDGs were as follows: pro-poor, integrated, quantitative, comprehensive, resilience-planning, supports ‘co-benefits’, climate change adaptive, gender- and culture-sensitive and ridge-to-reef/ecosystem-based. He also added that the identified SDGs will be vertically integrated or cascaded to all existing local plans (provincial, city, municipal) so that the plans are all consistent in terms of goals, objectives, targets, and success indicators. The targets at the provincial level will be disaggregated at the municipal level. An information system for all SDGs will be established to measure the SD performance of Palawan and the success of each plan. The PSDSAP will serve as a primary reference in crafting the Palawan SDGs and will contribute toward developing an M & E mechanism for the SDGs. This means that direct implementation of all plans, including PSDSAP, will lead toward the achievement of the Palawan SDGs.

28. At 10:20AM, the main facilitator took over the floor to discuss the grouping of the participants. The respective facilitators at each break out groups levelled-off with the participants their expectations on the workshop, briefed them on its objectives, and the mechanics of the succeeding workshop. The following representatives from their respective institutions facilitated the workshops: Dr. Jhonamie Omar (Western Philippines University) for Group 1- Ecological; Prof. Mildred P. Palon (Holy Trinity University) for Group 2-Socio-Cultural and Governance; and Prof. Marissa S. Pontillas (Palawan State University) for Group 3- Economic.

29. At around 3:20 pm, the results of the workshop of each breakout groups were

reported. 30. Highlights of identified priority research topics and its characterization in terms of

ecological benefit, benefits to local communities, potential support to/from Palawan economic industry, potential for innovation and product development and its possible funding source were presented during the plenary session by the assigned reporter from each workshop groups: Mr. Jovic B. Fabello (PCSDS) presented the workshop results of Group1-Ecological; Ms. Lyca Sandrea G. Castro (WPU) for Group 2- Socio-Cultural and Governance; and Mr. John Lemuel J. Nocise (HTU) for Group 3-Economic.

31. After the presentations, the awarding of certificates for Best Paper and Best Poster,

including the certificates of appreciation to all paper/oral and poster presentors followed. This was facilitated by Executive Director Nelson P. Devanadera, Dir. Josephine Matulac, Dr. Benjamin Gonzales of Western Philippines University, Dr. Patrick Regoniel of Palawan State University and Prof. Mildred Palon of Holy Trinity University.


32. The following were the winners of the best papers and posters:

Award Title of Paper Presentation

Best Paper: Biodiversity and Ecological Studies

Nickel Hyper-Accumulating Plants Native in Palawan Presentor: Dr. Edwino Fernando (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Best Paper: Socio-Cultural, Economic and Political Studies

Health Status of the Small-Scale Mining Impact Area: The Case of Barangay Bato-bato, Narra, Palawan

Presentor: Ms. April Grace Ortega-Liao (Palawan State University)

Best Paper: Environment/Natural Resources Management, Technology, Innovation and Climate Change Studies

Modified Biosand Filter for the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A Household Water Treatment

Presentor: Prof. Mildred Palon (Holy Trinity University)

Best Student Paper An Ethno-zoological Study of the Medicinal Animals Used by the Tagbanua Tribe in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan

Presentor: Zyvelle Joy Estrada (Palawan State University) Award Title of Poster Presentation

Best Poster (Professional)

A New Species of Genus Stiphodon from Palawan, Philippines (Gobiidae: Sicydinae). (Original title: Freshwater and Estuarine Fish Assemblages in Rivers of Central and Southern Palawan)

Presentor: H.Palla (Western Philippines University) and K. Maeda (Okinawa Institute of Science & Technology, Japan)

2nd Best Poster (Professional)

Role of Women in Fisheries of Tagbunsaing Lake in Quezon, Palawan

Presentor: I.M.P. Benliro, L.S.G. Castro, B.J. Gonzales (Western Philippines University)

3rd Best Poster (Professional)

Identification, Characterization and Mapping of Nesting Trees of Commonly Poached Bird Species in Talakaigan Watershed: A Community Conservation Strategy.

Presentor: A. Bernardo Jr. (Western Philippines University) Best Student Poster (Professional)

Species Inventory of Commercially Exploited Sea Cucumbers in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan

Presentor: C.B. Salazar, R.A. Balisco, R.G. Dolorosa (Western Philippines University)


33. Dr. Benjamin Gonzales, Vice President for Research and Development of Western

Philippines University delivered the closing remarks. He commended everyone for their active participation in the two day symposium. He likewise acknowledged the partners and collaborators in making the activity possible: the USAID-STRIDE; RTI International; the academe: Western Philippines University, Palawan State University and Holy Trinity University; and the donors/sponsors.

Dr. Gonzales emphasized that every Palaweño must work together to protect the best interests of the province because if we don’t, no one else will do. He also congratulated the PCSD Staff for taking the lead in organizing this symposium and for working so hard to ensure that the activity will be a success. He challenged all participants of the symposium to continue exploring ideas, and said that the event has provided a venue for sharing of learnings that the presenters have worked on. He ended his speech by saying, “the call of times is for us to discover and develop ideas of commercial value. It is not a farfetched possibility that anyone today could carve a niche in the field of commercial science. Palawan is a living laboratory that we are so fortunate to experience. To the young minds (and senior minds as well), continue exploring and discover individual destiny and our own Palawan destiny.”

34. The program for the last day of the forum ended at 4:15 pm. The documentation of the

symposium proceedings was led by the Western Philippines University.


EXTENDED ABSTRACT

SESSION 1: BIODIVERSITY AND ECOLOGICAL STUDIES


Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation.

FAUNAL TRANSFER AT THE REHABILITATED TAILINGS DAM OF CORAL BAY NICKEL CORPORATION

*EnP. GEROLD ALLEN S. ARGONOSO Coordinator, Environmental Management & Quality Control Section

Coral Bay Nickel Corporation, Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan 0927-527-6471/ 0948-747-7272

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The decommissioned Tailings Storage Facility of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) has transformed from being a vast land of barren reddish brown soil to a self-sustaining landscape capable of producing a variety of products while inviting biodiversity in the area. This presentation focused mainly on showing the trend of fauna species enrichment from the establishment of rehabilitation activities in 2011 up to the present. It also aimed to showcase other organisms such as insects which both indicate & contribute to the rehabilitation’s success. The rehabilitation of the decommissioned dam provided additional habitat for various faunal species. Through five years, a total of 47 species of birds, 6 species of mammals, and 11 species of herps were recorded in the area. This shows a significant rise in comparison with the initial monitoring result of 19, 3, and 1 respectively. In terms of vegetation, aside from the initially planted grasses and herbs, several plant species observed surrounding the dam is also growing in the area, possibly brought by birds & raw materials used in the process of rehabilitation. Integrated farm system employed in the northern part of the dam composed of plants which has commercial value including fruits, vegetables, & flowers, has proved to be effective in attracting organisms which play a vital role in the sustainability of rehabilitation project. A total of 19 species of butterflies were identified and documented in the project area. Dragon flies & several species of bees were observed to be thriving well, building hives within the dam’s vicinity. Keywords: Tailings Storage Facility, rehabilitation, fauna, species enrichment Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel

Corporation.


INTRODUCTION Background and Objectives

Since 2005, Coral Bay Nickel Corporation (CBNC) has been undergoing annual flora and fauna assessments as part of the company’s compliance to the condition set in the issued Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC) of Line 1 and 2 of the hydrometallurgical processing plant (HPP). The monitoring is being conducted by a 3rd party research group which focuses on the determination of plant operation’s influence to the surrounding wildlife as well as their habitats. The results of the assessments conducted served as indicators for testing the designed plans effectiveness.

Fauna monitoring plays a vital role in the determination of the rehabilitations success. Animals’ presence and behavior have possible implications on the effects of the activities being conducted within the project area. This assessment usually involve observation of four major groups of terrestrial vertebrates namely, birds, mammals, reptiles, & amphibians among different distinguished study sites (Dimalibot, 2011). The assessment conducted in CBNC started with just five study areas which are located at the plants vicinity. In 2011, it included the decommissioned Tailings Storage Facility No. 1(TSF-1) among its study sites.

TSF-1 is a pollution control facility designed to hold slurries of reddish brown tailings for the purpose of drying it all up. It was decommissioned on June 2010 as it already reached its designed capacity. After several months, it began to dry up and rehabilitation works commenced.

For over 5 years after its decommissioning, TSF-1 has gone through a series of intensive rehabilitation activities from the introduction of organic matter & planting of forage species, to the provision of other biomass sources such as banana & elephant ear. TSF-1 has transformed from being a vast land of barren reddish brown soil to a self-sustaining landscape capable of producing a variety of products while inviting biodiversity in the area. Over the years numerous fauna species has been observed and documented thriving within the dam’s environs.

This study focused mainly on determining the trend of the transfer of terrestrial fauna species in the decommissioned tailings dam from the start of its rehabilitation in 2011 until present using the consolidated fauna assessment reports conducted at CBNC for this year and for the past four years. It specifically aims to:

• Examine the variation of the number species for each taxa monitored every year, and determine the total number of species recorded through 5 years of monitoring.

• Analyze the change in the diversity indices per year of assessment. • Determine the habitat types, the distribution as well as the conservation status of the

observed fauna species in area. • Identify other faunal species documented in the area such as insects, which might also

be considered as indicators of the rehabilitation’s success, and/or contributing factors to ensure the project’s sustainability.

METHODOLOGY Study Area

The decommissioned TSF-1 is located in the existing mined-out area of Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation (RTNMC). It is situated at N08°34’11.7”; E117°25’29.1” of Bgy. Rio Tuba, Bataraza, Palawan. It has an area of approximately eighty (80) hectares, and has an elevation of 50-70 masl. The study was limited in the confines of the said rehabilitated dam and its vicinity. Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel

Corporation.


Survey Methodology (based on fauna monitoring report) Data gathering. Varying techniques were employed in able to identify fauna species,

such as the use of all senses, utilization of binoculars, and the use of digital cameras. Field equipment and materials. Binoculars, digital cameras, GPS, 3m x 10m nylon

mist nets, live traps, bird bags, flash lights, and field notebooks are used in the field surveys. Fauna survey.Combination of standard methods for fauna survey was conducted.

Direct and indirect transect identification were used. Microhabitat searches were also done in able to check for the presence of small species including reptiles and amphibians.

Field report preparation.Report were prepared after the survey containing the following outline: Title of report, name of preparer, period covered, objectives, brief methodology, tabulated data, problems encountered, and recommendations. Data Consolidation Reports of fauna assessment from the year 2011 until 2015 were collected and reviewed. Using Microsoft excel, all data which concentrates on the observations pertaining to species found in TSF-1 were gathered and consolidated. Faunal species documented from 2011 till 2015 were listed and totaled, data were compared per year while considering the date of the actual assessment. Aside from species abundance, number of individual species were also noted and compared for each year’s data. Diversity indices were also included, calculated using the Shannon-Wiener Index for each taxa. Documented species were also checked as to where the majority lies in terms of its known habitat, distribution, and conservation status. Other documented observations made, which is not included in the reports, were also considered most especially insects. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Species Abundance Number of bird species observed had its highest on the year 2013, with recorded number of species of twenty-eight (28). Lowest number of recorded species was attained at 2014 with seventeen (17). This was mainly because survey sites surrounding TSF-1 were removed from the sampling site coverage from 2014 onwards. However, it increased on the year 2015 survey with twenty-three (23) recorded species. This is considered a significant find since the survey conducted was limited within dam area only. For five (5) years time, a total of forty-eight (48) species of avifauna were already documented. Regarding the number of individual species, Hirundo rustica commonly known as Barn Swallow, ranks first with an average number of individual species of fourteen (14). This was followed by the common Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus) with thirteen (13), and Todirhampus chloris, White-collared Kingfisher ranked third with an average of nine (9) individual species documented per year. Mammals observed, on the other hand, were limited to bats and rats only. Highest number recorded was at the year 2013 with (5) species observed. A total of six (6) species were documented from 2011 to 2015, two of which are non-volant and four are volant species. The presence of rats may be attributed to the application of organic materials in the dam’s surface. Rice hull, which is one of the major sources of organic materials used, attracted rats during the earlier stage of rehabilitation. Most common species of mammals identified at TSF-1 is Cynopterus brachyotis, Common Short-nosed Fruit bat. The increase in the number of the said species can be related to the type of vegetation in the area especially in the northern part of the dam where in the integrated farm was established. Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel

Corporation.


Herps assessment at TSF-1 was conducted on 2011, 2014, & 2015 only, this resulted into (11) total species observed. Naja sumatrana commonly known as the equatorial spitting-cobra was the only reptile observed in 2011. On the year 2014, four (4) species of reptiles were recorded, Palawan Narrow-disked Gecko(Gekko palawanensis), Bronze/Line Slender Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis caudolineatus), Palawan Flying Lizard (Draco palawanensis), and Palawan Sphenomorpus (Sphenomorphus palawanensis). 2015 obtained the highest recorded species of even (7), (3) of which are amphibians while the rest are reptiles. Numerous sightings of other reptiles and amphibians were confirmed by the workers in the area ranging from snakes to monitor lizards; however, not all were properly documented. Figure 1. Comparison in the number of species of each taxa per year. Species Diversity Diverseness of species was described using Shannon-Wiener Diversity Indices. Based on the categories of diversity values established by Fernando, Birds lie at the moderate diversity category from 2011to 2015, attaining its highest value on 2013 with (2.88). Mammals and herps, on the other hand, showed very low diverseness. Highest in mammals, was recorded in 2013 having (1.31), while herps reached it in the year 2015 with only (1.54). Habitat, Distribution and Conservation Status All bird species recorded from 2011 to 2015 in the rehabilitated dam lies in IUCN’s least concern category. 19% of it is endemic and the rest are resident. Majority of the observed birds thrive on grassland/open-country, it comprises 26% of the observed species. This was followed by those which thrive on forests with 22%.

Mammals also have the majority of its species in the category of least concern with 80%. The remaining lies in near threatened category. The distribution is dominated by resident species. Most species are common and are almost found everywhere.

Like birds, all herps species observed in the area lies in the least concern category. However, in terms of distribution majority are endemic with 54%. This was followed by resident species with only 27%. Almost all species have forests or forested areas as their habitat. The existences of species which are known to thrive on disturbed areas were expected due to the fact that the surrounding areas have undergone mining works including the dam itself.

Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel

Corporation.

Other Fauna


Aside from the annually monitored faunas, other species which may prove to be significant to the rehabilitation’s success were also documented such as insects. At 2015, (19) species of butterflies were already identified to be flourishing at the northern part of the dam. This may be attributed to the flowers planted as part of the integrated farm of the dam. Beehives of wild bees can be observed from time to time within the dam area. Presence of dragonflies was also noted. The occurrence of the said insects possibly indicates that the rehabilitation is going on the right track. Food is becoming available for them to thrive in the area; their activity, on the other hand, promotes vegetation enhancement for they serve as pollen-carriers initiating cross-pollination in plants. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS The continuous monitoring of terrestrial vertebrates within the decommissioned dam proved to be vital in describing the fauna’s behavior for the past 5 years. From a very minimal number of fauna observed in the area before the dam’s rehabilitation, the collated reports show the progressive increase in the number of faunal species in parallel with the continuous development in rehabilitation activities. This resulted into a total of (48) species of birds, (6) species of mammals, and (11) species of herps recorded and documented in the area. The unusual trend of species abundance as well as the number of individual species per year may be associated with the varying season where in the surveys is conducted. 2011-2013 assessments are conducted within the second half of the year, while monitoring made on the year 2014-2015 are within the first half. However, despite the fact that the number of species is fluctuating, an average of (8) new species are being added to the list of species in the area annually, most especially for birds. In terms of diversity, the result is not really significant for mammals and herps based on the reports, but is quite notable for birds, where in the species diversity is averaging (2.74) which lie under moderate diverseness. This might be attributed to the continuously improving innovations in rehabilitation strategies, for types of plants being planted in the area is also becoming diverse, not mentioning those plants which are not planted by the workers in the area but are brought about by varying weather condition, the materials being introduced, and/or transported by other fauna species which tend to visit the area from time to time to feed.

Habitat assessment shows that majority of the bird species observed thrive on grassland/open country, this is to be expected since trees are planted most recently. However, it is projected that the species which thrive on forest will increase in (3) years time, since tree planting of fruit trees and indigenous tree species is continuously being conducted. Almost all species are under least concerned category in the IUCN, however the presence of few mammals which is under the near-threatened category indicates that there is a much need to improve and protect the area they utilize as their habitat, in this case the tailings. The distribution assessment, on the other hand, shows that most species are resident, but some birds and majority of the herps observed were found to be endemic, which means that these species are to be protected and its trade must be avoided.Aside from the observed terrestrial vertebrates, several insects were observed to be flourishing well within the dam’s vicinity, most especially butterflies. The increasing species of butterflies documented, and the more usual occurrence of hives in the area shows that there is increasing number of food sources that sustains them. Argonoso, Gerold Allen S. 2015. Faunal Transfer at the Rehabilitated Tailings Dam of Coral Bay Nickel

Corporation. It is therefore recommended that, a more thorough study of the faunal species in the tailings dam must be conducted in able to have a larger view on all the species which thrives


and are beginning to transfer in the area which will further indicate the rehabilitation’s success. Feeding guilds, particularly for birds, must continuously be assessed in combination with habitat assessment. This will indicate the dependence of birds to trees for their sustenance, thus an increase on those species which depends on trees for their habitat and source of food will mean that the rehabilitation works is going on the right track. It is also recommended that the type of vegetation which can be found in the surrounding forest be also planted in the area for it will somehow attract other faunas in the area increasing the species abundance in the area not only birds but also mammals and herps. The effective rehabilitation project must also be continued so as to sustain the species which are already relying on the area as source of food and habitat, and possibly increase their number in time. Fauna species in the decommissioned dam, its composition and abundance, as well as its behavior, serves as an indicator to assess the impacts of the activities of Coral Bay Nickel Corporation, especially that the area is declared as one of its disturbed areas. The indicators observed can aid in the formulation of biodiversity conservation and management plans/policies if the need arises. REFERENCES Dimalibot, J.C. 2011. 2011 Monitoring of Terrestrial Vertebrates – Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. Dimalibot, J.C. 2012. 2012 Monitoring of Terrestrial Vertebrates – Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. Dimalibot, J.C. 2013. 2013 Monitoring of Terrestrial Vertebrates – Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. Dimalibot, J.C. 2014. 2014 Monitoring of Terrestrial Vertebrates – Coral Bay Nickel Corporation. Dimalibot, J.C. 2015. 2015 Monitoring of Terrestrial Vertebrates – Coral Bay Nickel Corporation.


Bernardo, Alejandro A., Jr.2015. Conversion of forest to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation in Aborlan, Palawan: unveiling its impact to forest avifaunal diversity.

CONVERSION OF FOREST TO OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis) PLANTATION IN ABORLAN, PALAWAN: UNVEILING ITS IMPACT TO FOREST AVIFAUNAL

DIVERSITY

Alejandro A. Bernardo Jr.

Western Philippines University San Juan, Aborlan, Palawan

[email protected] 0908-5382838

ABSTRACT

Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a recently introduced crop in Palawan. Its widespread cultivation replaced most of the important bird habitats such as riparian, secondary and primary forests. To determine the impact of forest conversion to oil palm plantation on forest bird community, the avifaunal assemblage between a forest and an adjacent oil palm plantation which is known to be previously part of the selected forest fragment were compared using avifaunal transect walk survey. The study was conducted from August to November 2013 in Aborlan, Palawan. The species richness, abundance, diversity index, presence of endemic and high conservation priority species were used to compare the bird communities. The study unfolded that the bird community in oil palm plantation was depauperate as indicated by the low species richness, abundance and diversity index relative to the forest. The low community similarity index between oil palm plantation and forest revealed the big difference in bird assemblage and confirmed the settlement of open dwelling generalist species in replacement to the forest dwelling species lost. The low species richness and abundance of endemic and the loss of high conservation priority birds in oil palm plantation further emphasized the impact of oil palm cultivation to forest bird community. To maintain the avifaunal diversity at the landscape level, policies in the establishment of oil palm plantation must be reviewed to limit the cultivation of oil palms in barren and underutilized areas only. Finally, enhancement of extant forest fragments adjacent to oil palm plantations is highly recommended. Keywords: oil palm, avifauna, forest


Bernardo, Alejandro A. Jr. 2015. Conversion of forest to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) plantation in Aborlan, Palawan: unveiling its impact to forest avifaunal diversity.

INTRODUCTION

Forest is considered as one of the most important but also one of the most threatened ecosystems in the planet. The global forest reserve is declining at an alarming rate of around13 million hectares per year, chiefly because of the expanding agriculture and other land uses (FAO, 2010). Conversion of more forested areas to agricultural lands is looming because of the increasing demands of the growing population in the agriculture sector. In developing areas where the demand for agricultural products is rapidly rising, the conversion of forests to commercial and subsistence agriculture use are considered important drivers of deforestation (Hosonuma et al. 2012). Deforestation is also one of the persistent problems in the Philippines. The country suffered its massive forest cover loss of about 9.8 million hectares during 1934 to 1988 (Liu et al., 1993). According to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (2011), the satellite imagery taken from 2001 to 2003 unfolded that the remaining forest cover of the Philippines was only around 7.168 million hectares.

Palawan is one of the provinces in the Philippines with remaining unspoiled terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Its pristine beaches, beautiful coral reefs and majestic forests attracted huge number of tourists annually. The increasing opportunities in the province resulted to the influx of incoming migrants in the last decades. The census of population and housing done in 2010 by the National Statistics Office revealed that the province has an average annual population growth rate of 2.66 percent excluding the city of Puerto Princesa (NSO 2013). This growing population is expected to fuel further agricultural expansion in the future. The mainstream agriculture in Palawan is gradually creeping in the marginal uplands displacing swidden farmers in the process. Some of the recently introduced economically promising high valued crops in the province are rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). These economically promising crops are being introduced and promoted by the provincial government of Palawan (Aguiba 2010 and Villanueva 2011). Widespread plantations of Elaeis guineensis are found in southern Palawan. The two major companies that dominated the oil palm industry in the province, namely Palawan Palm and Vegetable Oil Mills Incorporated (PPVOMI) and AGUMIL Philippines Incorporated (API) established their own company plantations and at the same time supported several cooperative and private contract growers in the municipalities of Aborlan, Narra, Sofroñio Espanola, Quezon, Rizal, Brooke’s Point and Bataraza (Villanueva 2011). Oil palm industry in Palawan is still young compared to other provinces in Mindanao. However, with the positive perspective and support given by the Provincial Government of Palawan to this industry it is expected to increase in the near future. Villanueva (2011) mentioned that despite concerns on the potential impacts of oil palm production in Palawan, the Provincial Government of Palawan still supports the industry by including oil palm cultivation in Palawan’s Development Plan. Although some of the farms were established from what they called “barren and underutilized lots”, some oil palms were cultivated in important wildlife habitat areas such as forest edges, secondary forest, scrublands and log out forest fragments within the swidden landscape. These extant vegetations have very important roles in supporting the biodiversity of upland agricultural landscape.

Conversion of forest to oil palm plantation has known impacts to wildlife such as reduction in species richness of ants in Malaysia (Bruhl and Eltz 2010), reduction of species and functional diversity of birds in Sundaland (Edwards et al. 2013), reduction of biomass and abundance of arthropods in Malaysia (Turner and Foster 2009), reduction of restricted range & high conservation priority bird species in southern Thailand (Aratrakorn et al. 2006)



and decline in number of beetle species in Malaysia (Chung et al. 2000). These negative impacts of oil palm cultivation to biodiversity was observed in other oil palm producing countries, but the negative effects of this growing industry in the wildlife of Palawan specifically in bird communities is not yet fully understood.

To understand the impact of converting a forest into oil palm plantation on avifaunal diversity, this study used the differences in avifaunal community parameters such as species richness, abundance, evenness, diversity index, and the presence of endemic and high conservation priority bird species between a forest and an oil palm plantation. Since the forest fragment compared is part of the forest where the oil palm plantation was established, it is assumed in this scientific investigation that the bird communities in both areas are similar in composition prior to the establishment of the plantation.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted in Sagpangan, Aborlan, Palawan. To see the changes in avifaunal community when forest is converted to monoculture oil palm plantation, two sites were selected and compared. Site 1 is an oil palm plantation which is established from a previously forested area which is also part of the forest in Site 2. This site is consists of a monoculture stand of fruit bearing oil palms. Due to frequent herbicide application, its understory vegetation is minimal and only composed of few regenerating species of grasses and broadleaf herbaceous plants. Some densely tangled vegetation growing together with banana, papaya, bamboo and other woody vegetation form island patches in the midst of the oil palm plantation. Site 2 is a relatively good stand of old growth (30 years old) secondary forest. The understory vegetation in this site is complex and the presence of densely tangled vines, lianas and branches of much shorter trees formed middle strata in the forest.

An avifaunal survey was conducted from August to November 2014 using a standard transect walk survey method (Bibby et al. 1998 and Sutherland 2000). All birds detected using visual and auditory cues while walking at a regulated pace of 1 km/hr along the transect routes were counted (Dans and Gonzales 1998 and Sutherland 2006). Bird survey was carried out once a month for four months using four randomly established 500 meter transect routes in each site. The length of survey period was based on species discovery curve (Sutherland 2000).

In the context of this study, the noteworthy differences in avifaunal community parameters such as Shannon’s Index of diversity, species richness, abundance, evenness, number of species and abundance of endemic and high conservation priority birds between forest and oil palm plantation were considered an indication of the impact of habitat change in bird assemblage. To understand the degree of similarity of bird assemblage in both sites, Morisita’s index of similarity was used.

RESULTS AND DISUSSION A total of 556 birds belonging to 78 species of 38 families were recorded in both forest and oil palm plantation sites. Among the 556 birds, 363 individuals belonging to 55 species of the 28 families were recorded in the primary forest while only 193 individuals belonging to 40 species of the 26 families were found in the oil palm plantation. The findings clearly revealed that the bird community in oil palm plantation has remarkably low abundance and species richness relative to forest habitat. Moreover, among the 55 species recorded in the forest only 17 managed to thrive in the oil palm plantation. The small number of species shared between the forest and the oil palm plantation is compelling evidence of the



vulnerability of forest birds to habitat alteration brought by forest conversion to oil palm plantation. The massive loss of 38 species of birds or about 69% of the total species recorded in the forest conforms to the findings of Aratrakorn et al. (2006) in Southern Thailand, which they mentioned that conversion of forest to plantations such as rubber tree and oil palm may result to a 60% decline in species richness of birds.

Another important observation worth noticing was the presence of many bird species that was recorded only in oil palm plantation. The data revealed that out of the 40 species of birds recorded in oil palm plantation, 23 species were not recorded in the forest. These open dwelling birds comprise 55% of the total number of individual birds found in the oil palm plantation.Seemingly, the concurrent loss of forest bird species was apparently replaced with new species of birds that are not normal inhabitants of the forest.Most of these birds are generalist species that can thrive in wide variety of habitats and can make use of diverse resources for food and nesting materials.The paucity of bird species shared between oil palm plantation and forest site and the presence of many new colonizing species in plantationclearly exposed the big difference in species composition between the avifaunal communities compared. This observation was confirmed by very low Morisita’s index of community similarity (0.23) between the avifaunal communities in the forest and in the oil palm plantation.

Despite having fewer species richness and abundance, and the proliferation of many open dwelling species in oil palm plantation, distribution of individual birds among species was a bit more evenly than that of the forest bird community as shown by slightly higher evenness value (0.97) as compared to forest bird community (0.95). However, the diversity of birds in the forest was still relatively higher than in plantation as shown by high Shannon-Wiener diversity index of (H’=1.65) as compared to oil palm plantation (H’=1.55). This depauperate status of bird community in oil palm plantation was similarly observed in other monoculture plantations such as banana and cacao plantations (Harvey and Gonzalez Villalobos 2007). One of the possible explanations to the low species richness and abundance of birds in oil palm plantation was the absence of the dense and diverse forest vegetation. These vegetation and the emergent properties that come with it provide food, hiding places, nesting materials, and other resources vital to the survival of forest dwelling avifauna and other wildlife species as well. Shankar Raman et al. (1998) supported this idea by mentioning that the vegetation attributes in a given area has influence in the assemblage of birds. The changes in vegetation and other biological components as well as the ambient environmental characteristics following conversion of forest to oil palm plantation possibly drive the species turn over, resulting to loss of several forest species and recruitment of open dwelling species. Species in disturbed farm land might be high but the assemblage was significantly different compared to the forest sites (Martin and Blackburn, 2010).

It was also observed that Palawan endemic bird species were sensitive to habitat changes involving forest conversion to plantations. Out of the 10 Palawan endemic bird species recorded in the forest only 1 species, the White Vented Shama (Copsychus niger) was also recorded in the oil palm plantation. Moreover, no new Palawan endemic species from other habitats was observed in oil palm plantation. The abundance of Palawan endemic species also followed a similar pattern of falloff. It was observed that out of the 89 individual Palawan endemic birds recorded in the forest only 5 were recorded in the oil palm plantation. In general, the Palawan endemic bird species appear to be strongly dependent on forest environment and forest resources and they have difficulties in thriving to modified landscapes(Wijesinghe and Brooke 2005).



Birds with high conservation priority status were also found to be vulnerable to impacts of converting a forest to oil palm plantation. All the 34 individual birds of the 5 near-threatened species and 22 individual birds of the 4 vulnerable species recorded in the study area were all found only in the forest site. In addition to it, 3 out of the 5 recorded near-threatened bird species and 3 out of 4 recorded vulnerable bird species were also restricted range Palawan endemic species. These findings highlight that the birds that were primarily affected by forest conversion to plantation were endemic species that already have high conservation status. CONCLUSION The avifaunal community recorded in oil palm plantation is apparently low in species richness, abundance, and diversity as compared to avifaunal community in the forest. The paucity of bird species shared by oil palm plantation and forest sites is an indication that very few species of birds that thrive in the forest are able to adjust and also thrive in the monoculture oil palm plantation. The considerably high abundance and species richness of open dwelling birds species recorded in the oil palm plantation is demonstrating that habitat changes brought by converting forest to oil palm plantation not only causes decline in forest bird abundance and richness but also encourages settling in of open dwelling birds which are mostly if not all generalist species. The decline in abundance and richness of Palawan endemic bird species and the absence of all high conservation priority bird species in oil palm plantation further highlights the negative impact of oil palm plantations in Palawan’s fragile avifaunal diversity. RECOMMENDATION Because of the negative impact of converting a forest into oil palm plantation on avifaunal diversity, it is recommended that establishment of oil palm plantations must be carefully planned and should be restricted to marginal and underutilized areas only. Establishment and enhancement of interconnected forest fragments near monoculture oil palm plantations is also recommended to improve the avifaunal diversity at landscape level.Secondary forests, specifically those used as swidden fallows must be spared from converting into oil palm plantation. These forest fragments are very important components of the traditional Swidden farming system as practiced by the indigenous tribes in Palawan. Using these regenerating forest fragments in oil palm plantation will restrict the normal shifting movements of Swidden farmers in the marginal uplands. Additional researches on the impact of widespread cultivation of oil palm and other monoculture crops on other wildlife species must be conducted. POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Continued expansion of oil palm plantations in the remaining tracts of forests in the marginal uplands, threatens not only the wildlife but also the ecosystem functions, goods and services provided by these creatures. If taken into account, the economic benefits that can be derived from these ecosystem functions could be many folds as compared to the economic gains in oil palm plantations. One of the policy suggestions that are doable in Palawan setting is implementing a certification program for all oil palm contract growers. The process of certification will include evaluation of lands that will be converted into plantations, extent of land allotted for expansion. The responsibility of the farmer to maintain enhance or establish forest fragments within or adjacent to plantations must also be included in the agreement.



Imposing environmental fee to oil palm growers and processors is another policy option. This is to generate revenue that can be used in the conservation, enhancement and reforestation of watershed areas near the plantations. Relevant forestry laws must be strictly enforced against violators who establish oil palm plantation on forested areas. REFERENCES Aguiba, M.M. 2010. Goodrich Mulls 20,000 Hectares Rubber Plantation in Palawan. Manila Bulletin. Posted on

April 19, 2010. Retrieved July 6, 2011 from <http://www.mb.com.ph> Aratrakorn, A., S. Thunhikorn and P. F. Donald. 2006. Changes in Bird Communities Following Conversion of

Lowland Forest to Oil palm and Rubber Plantations in Southern Thailand. Bird Conservation International. 16:71-82.

Bibby, C., M. Jones and S. Marsden. 1998. Expedition field techniques: Bird surveys. Expedition Advisory Centre. Royal Geographical Society. London. p 137.

Bruhl, C. A. and T. Eltz. 2010. Fuelling the Biodiversity Crisis: Species loss of Ground-Dwelling Forest Ants in Oil palm Plantations in Sabah, Malaysia (Borneo). Biodiversity Conservation. 19(2):519-529

Chung, A. Y. C., P. Eggleton, M. R. Speight, P. M. Hammond and V. uK. Chey. 2000. The Diversity of Beetle Assemblage in Different Habitat Types in Sabah, Malaysia. Bulletin of Entomological Research. 90(6):475-496.

Dans, A.T.L. and J.C.T. Gonzalez. 1998. Birds and Mammals of Fragmented Forest Along Anahawin River, Mt. Iglit-Baco National Park, Mindoro Island Philippines. Sylvatrop: The Technical Journal of Philippine Ecosystems and Natural Resources 8 (1&2):43-61.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 2011. Philippine forestry statistics. Forest Management Bureau. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Quezon City, Philippines. Retrieved from < http://forestry.denr.gov.ph/statbook.htm> on April, 7, 2015.

Edwards, F. A., D. P. Edwards, K. C. Hamer and R. G. Davies. 2013. Impacts of Logging and Conversion of Rainforest to Oil palm on the Functional Diversity of Birds in Sundaland. Ibis. 155(2):313-326.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2010. Global forest resources assessment 2010: Main report. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Forestry Papers. 163

Harvey, C., and J. A. Gonzalez Villalobos. 2007. Agroforestry systems conserve species-rich but modified assemblages of tropical birds and bats. Biodiversity Conservation. 16:2257-2292.

Hosonuma, N., M. Herold, V. de Sy, R. S. de Fries, M. Brockhaus, L. Verchot, A. Angelsen and E. Romijn. 2012. An assessment of deforestation and forest degradation drivers in developing countries. Environmental Research Letters 7(4): 4009.

Liu, D. S., L. R. Iverson and S. Brown. 1993. Rates and patterns of deforestation in the Philippines: application of geographic information system analysis. Forest Ecology and Management. 57: 1-16.

Martin, T. and G. Blackburn. 2010. Impacts of tropical forest disturbance upon avifauna on a small island with high endemism: Implications for conservation. Conservation and Society. 8(2):127-139.

National Statistics Office. 2013. Palawan’s population increased by 180 thousand (Results from the 2010 census of population and housing). Retrieved from <http://web0.psa.gov.ph/content/palawan%E2%80%99s-population-increased-180-thousand-results-2010-census-population-and-housing> on April, 8, 2015.

Shankar Raman, T., G. Rawat, and J. Johnsingh 1998. Recovery of Tropical Rainforest Avifauna in Relation to Vegetation Succession Following Shifting Cultivation in Mizoram, North-East India. Journal of Applied Ecology 35(2):214-231.

Sutherland, W. L. 2000. The conservation handbookresearch, management and policy. Blackwell Publishing. United Kingdom. p 278.

Turner, E. C. and W. A. Foster. 2009. The Impact of Forest Conversion to Oil palm on Arthropod Abundance and Biomass in Sabah, Malaysia. Journal of Tropical Ecology. 25:23-30.

Villanueva, J. 2011. Oil palm Expansions in the Philippines Analysis of Land Rights, Environment and Food Security Issues. Editors: Colchester, M. and S. Chao. 2011. Oil palm Expansion in South East Asia: Trends and Implications for Local Communities and Indigenous People. 1st Edition. Forest Peoples Programme. England and Perkumpulan Sawit Watch. Indonesia. pp 110-216.

Wijesinghe, M. and M. Brooke. 2005. Impact of habitat disturbance on the distribution of endemic species of small mammals and Birds in a Tropical Rain Forest in Sri Lanka. Journal of Tropical Ecology 21(6):661-668. Cambridge University Press.


Bernardo, Alejandro A. Jr. 2015. Identification, Characterization and Mapping of Nesting Trees of Commonly Poached Bird Species in Talakaigan Watershed: A Community Conservation Strategy. IDENTIFICATION, CHARACTERIZATION AND MAPPING OF NESTING TREES OF COMMONLY POACHED BIRD SPECIES IN TALAKAIGAN WATERSHED:

A COMMUNITY CONSERVATION STRATEGY

Alejandro A. Bernardo Jr.

Western Philippines University San Juan, Aborlan, Palawan

[email protected] 0908-5382838

ABSTRACT

Forest degradation endangers the survival of tall and massive trees in the old growth forest. These trees are important nesting sites of cavity nesting birds. Despite the threats, the nesting trees of cavity nesting commonly traded birds in Talakaigan Watershed are not well documented. Hence, the study was conducted to provide information on the characteristics, species composition and geographical distribution of nesting trees. The study was participated by the indigenous Tagbanua bird poachers in the area. Preliminary information was obtained using focused group discussion and parabiology training was conducted to equip the participants with practical skills needed in the data gathering. The study unfolded that there were only two species of birds commonly poached in the watershed, the Tanygnathus lucionensis and Gracula religiosa. These birds nest only on four species of trees which typically towers above the canopy layer. Remarkably, more than 60% of the recorded nesting trees belong to single species of tree, the Koompasia excelsa. The GIS analysis unveiled that most nesting trees were located in the interior part of the forest. The skill needed to venture into the jungle highlights the role of Tagbanua Tribesmen in the poaching activity in the area. The study recommends an education campaign focusing on both the nest trees and the poached bird species be implemented. A sustainable community based nesting trees and avifaunal conservation program involving the participation of Indigenous Tagbanua families is also highly recommended Keywords: georeferencing, avifauna, poaching, nesting tree


Bernardo, Alejandro A. Jr. 2015. Identification, Characterization and Mapping of Nesting Trees of Commonly Poached Bird Species in Talakaigan Watershed: A Community Conservation Strategy.

INTRODUCTION Talakaigan watershed is one of the remaining unspoiled forests in the municipality of Aborlan. It is located in the eastern side of the Victoria –Anipahan Mountain Range, a vast tract of forest which is recognized as one of the 11 important bird areas in Palawan (IBA Code PH053) (Mallari et al.,2001). Huge trees abound in the emergent layer of the watershed. These trees provide great nesting spaces for canopy and trunk cavity nesting bird species. In Palawan, most of these birds are highly priced and are commonly collected and sold in local, national and international pet markets. Cruz et al. (2007) mentioned that one of the hottest hotspots for illegal trading of wildlife in the Philippines is Southern Palawan. Parrots and Mynas are among the species of birds commonly traded due to their huge demand in the market. Other birds that are also under considerable pressure of poaching are Palawan Hornbill and White-Bellied Sea Eagle. Based on preliminary observations, these commonly traded bird species still abound in Talakaigan watershed. Breeding birds are usually observed nesting in tall trees which are abundant in the area. However, poaching of birds in Talakaigan watershed is also rampant. Most of the nesting trees seen during the preliminary visit have carved footholds along buttresses and trunks, a clear indication of poaching activities. In the midst of the flourishing biodiversity, human activities in the area are also getting intense. Tagbanua, a cultural minority group living within and along the forest edges of the watershed are the major users of the forest resources in the area. According to Sopsop and Buot (2011), together with other settled migrants, they cultivate the fertile soil of the foot hills and also gather timber and non-timber forest products. Furthermore, they also mentioned that the commonly harvested non-timber forest products by the Tagbanua Tribesmen in the watershed includes rattan, wild fruits, resin, orchids, honey, plants with medicinal properties and wildlife like mynah, parrot, jungle fowl, hornbill and wild pig. Like in other municipalities, the harvesting of forest resources in Aborlan forest system is escalating beyond the sustainable rate. Albeit logging was banned in the province, the demand for lumber fuels the proliferation of small scale logging operations (Widmann 1998). Moreover, most of the economically important trees cut down by the lumberjacks are also known nesting trees of birds. These anthropogenic activities undermine the population of commonly traded wild birds and their nesting trees. Despite these threats, the nesting trees used by commonly traded wild birds in Talakigan watershed are not yet fully understood. Hence, the study was conducted to determine the species of commonly poached birds and the species of trees they used as nesting sites. This study also aimed to document the characteristics of the nesting trees based on specific tree attributes such as average canopy spread, height and girth. Finally, the location of nesting trees were geo-referenced using the coordinates taken by Global Positioning System (GPS) transceiver and the coordinates were plotted in a digital map using the Global Information System (GIS) interface. These pieces of information might help us further understand the nesting preferences and nest selection behavior of commonly poached bird species. The information derived from this study is also a useful tool that can be used by the Local Government Unit (LGU) and Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) in intensifying their efforts in monitoring the nesting sites during breeding season of these commonly traded bird species.



METHODOLOGY The study area is a luxuriant forest that serves as a water catchment for the Talakaigan River system. This river currently provides a year round supply of water for agriculture, household and commercial use. The increasing demand of the community for clean source of water brings to light the dire need to maintain the health of the forest in the catchment area. The watershed also boasts a wide array of massive forest trees, understory vegetation and other wildlife species with economic, social and cultural significance. However, some local people disclosed that anthropogenic activities such as upland farming, illegal logging and poaching within and around the watershed are getting more and more pronounce nowadays. The presence of carved footholds in most of the tall Koompasia excelsa trees noticed during the initial visit in Talakigan watershed confirmed the poaching activity in the area. Preliminary information was obtained using focused group discussion (FGD). The researcher convinced all the known poachers in the study area to join in the FGD. However, only four out of the eight poachers who were also members of the Tagbanua indigenous tribe joined the FGD. Those who attended the FGD were also persuaded to partake in the data collection which lasted from June to August 2014. All the participants underwent practical training on data collection in preparation for the actual data gathering. The crash course was designed specifically for gathering the data needed for this study such as nesting tree attributes (tree height, trunk diameter, average crown spread), digital photographs and GPS coordinates. Prior to the training, the researcher lectured on the basics of forest ecosystem. After the training, this group of parabiologists was deployed to gather and collect the data in the field. The collection of data was only limited along the slopes were most of the poaching activities were concentrated. The nesting trees identified during the FGD were visited and GPS coordinates were taken and recorded. Exhaustive search of other potential nesting trees was also done. Tree attributes such as girth, height and average canopy spread of nesting trees were also determined. Tree girth was measured based from the guidelines set by College of Forestry, University of the Philippines (Carandang, 1996). Meanwhile, height of nesting trees was calculated based from the readings of a Clinometer, while the average canopy spread was determined using the suggested method from Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MDNR 2013). Descriptive statistics which includes frequency counts and percentages were used to describe the relative abundances of nesting tree species and species of commonly poached birds that use the specific nesting trees. The selected attributes of the different nesting trees were described using mean and range. Meanwhile, the GPS coordinates of nesting trees according to tree species and bird species using it were georeferenced in the digital map of Talakaigan watershed using the GIS interface. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The results of the FGD revealed that poaching activity was only during the months of January to August every year. Because this time is the breeding season of Blue Naped Parrot (Tanygnathus lucionensis) and Hill Myna (Gracula religiosa), the two important commonly poached bird species sought after by the local buyers in the area. All participants also agreed that there were eight poachers actively operating in the area and all of them are members of the indigenous Tagbanua Tribe. They also disclosed that there were three known buyers in the area and all of them are lowlanders who belong to other ethno-linguistic groups. All FGD participants also agreed that the price of Tanygnathus lucionensis and Gracula religiosa



nestling was pegged at 500 pesos each and it was dictated by the buyers. According to their estimates there were about 50-90 nestlings sold by the poachers every season and most of it were chicks of Gracula religiosa. The participants also divulged that the enforcement of R.A. 9147 in the area is weak because wildlife trading transactions were overtly done and the community people knew who were the buyers and the poachers. There are four species of nesting trees found in the study area. The species with the most number of individual representations (66%) was Koompasia excelsa (Becc.) Taub. or locally known as “Manggis” of the Caesalpiniaceae Family. It was followed by “Bagtik” or “Palawan Almaciga” Agathis celebica (Koord.) Warb. of the Araucariaceae Family (21%). Then, it was followed by “Lomarau” Swintonia foxworthyi Elmer of the Anacardiaceae Family (11%). Finally, the species with the least number of individual is the Macaranga ovatifolia Merr. or locally known as “Indang” of the Euphorbiaceae Family (2%). The data also unfolded that almost all the nesting trees are old massively tall, have very large trunks and also have wide canopy that stick out in the emergent layer. These trees are very old; some portions of the trunk have deep cavities that accommodate the growing chicks and adult birds.

Based from the measurements of the nesting trees, the Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub. trees have the tallest average height of 59.7 meters. While, the nesting tree with the largest average trunk diameter (3.1 meters) wasAgathis celebica (Koord.) Warb. Similarly, the average crown spread (32.3 meters) of Agathis celebica (Koord.) Warb. was found to be wider than the average crown spread (28.2 meters) of species with the tallest average height the Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub. The results unfolded that the height of nesting trees does not always translate into trunk diameter, and canopy width. However, the two species of nesting trees with the largest average trunk diameter, widest average canopy width, and tallest average height (Agathis and Koompasia) were also the frequently used nesting trees of commonly poached birds.

The findings also revealed that both the Tanygnathus lucionensis (23.7%) and Gracula religiosa (44.7%) preferred Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub as nesting tree compared to other species of nesting trees. Although no nest of Tanygnathus lucionensis was recorded in Agathis celebica (Koord.) Warb. this tree species was the next preferred nesting tree of Gracula religiosa (21.1%). The salient feature of the data is that not all species of huge trees in the watershed is preferred as nesting places by the commonly poached birds. Only four species of trees were preferred as nesting trees. Another finding worth noticing is the relative preference of the commonly poached birds to nest in a single species of tree. More than half of all the recorded nesting trees in the watershed were old and matured Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub. trees, this emphasized the need to conserve and protect this species of old growth nesting trees.

GIS Map projections revealed that most of the nesting trees were located at the boundary of the controlled use zone and the core zone. This place was relatively far from the multiple use zone. According to the information disclosed by the parabiologists who frequently roam the Talakaigan forest, massive and tall trees were still abundant in that particular area because the distance made it impractical for illegal logging activity to operate. Moreover, the unforgiving terrain and relative distance of the area from human settlements made the upland cultivation also impractical. This conforms to the observations of Mallari et al. (2011), where they mentioned that upland cultivation was more likely practiced at lower altitudes, while steep and inaccessible areas were spared and in these places old growth forest were most likely preserved.



CONCLUSION

Poaching activity in Talakaigan watershed was active and overtly done. The major players in the poaching activity were members of the local indigenous Tagbanua Tribe. Very few species of trees were preferred as nesting trees by commonly poached birds. Among the four nesting tree species discovered more than 60% were Koompassia excelsa (Becc.) Taub. Most of the nest trees recorded were tall, with massive trunks and have wide canopies in the emergent layer. This finding highlights the need for a more strict and effective protection and conservation measures to these species of nesting trees that are found only in old growth forest. The GIS overlay maps displayed that most of the nesting trees were concentrated near the boundary of the controlled use zone and the core zone. This place is in the interior most part of the jungle, where very few locals from the lowland dare to venture. This highlights the role of indigenous Tagbanua tribesmen in the poaching activity in the area; these people are agile climbers and have the skills to venture out in the interior most part of the forest where most of the nesting trees are located.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that strict and effective conservation measures be implemented to stop the poaching activity in the area. An information and education campaign must be conducted in the nearby communities to educate the people about the importance of birds in forest ecosystem and to explain the potential impact of poaching to avifaunal population. The community must also understand the contents of the R.A. 9147 with special citation of penalties for violators. Strict enforcement of the R.A. 9147 in the area surrounding the Talakaigan watershed must be implemented as poaching activity was rampant and overtly done. It is also recommended that the species of nesting trees identified be included in the list of priority species so that conservation and protection strategies will ensure that there will be adequate number of standing nest trees in the future. A forest survey must also be done in the watershed to monitor the regeneration of these nesting tree species especially in most parts of the watershed that were exposed to more anthropogenic activities such as the controlled use and multiple use zones. It is also recommended that the nesting tree species be included together with other wildlife food plants in reforestation projects. Conservation of old growth forest must be strictly implemented because these massive and tall trees preferred by cavity dwelling birds were found only in old growth forest. POLICY IMPLICATIONS As poaching activity in the area was overtly done, it is considered that the R.A. 9147 was not strictly enforced in the area. Being undermanned, the government agencies that supposed to be implementing the wildlife act must capitalized on community based conservation strategies. One of the doable actions that can be implemented in the area is the establishment of a local people’s organization aimed to address the poaching activities. If coupled with a sound and sustainable livelihood options this organization may function as an extension arm of the government agencies in implementing and enforcing the law. A legal instrument must also be formulated to protect these old nesting trees. Although not a primary target species sought after by illegal loggers, the scarcity of prime lumber species might divert the attention of loggers to these nesting tree species. Once fell down, the function of these old trees cannot be replaced by smaller trees in the secondary forest.



REFERENCES Carandang, M. G. 1996. Forest biometry syllabus. Department of Forest Resources Management. College of

Forestry, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna Philippines. Cruz, R.M., D.V., Van Den Beukel, I. L. Widmann, S. Schoppe, & P. Widmann. 2007. Wildlife trade in

Southern Palawan, Philippines. Banwa: The Multidisciplinary Journal of UP Mindanao. 4(1):12-26. Mallari, N. A. D., B. R. Tabaransa jr. and M. J. Crosby. 2001. Key conservation sites in the Philippines: a

Haribon Foundation and Birdlife International Directory of Important Bird Areas. Bookmark. Makati City.485 pp.

Mallari. N. A. D., N. J. Collar, D. C. Lee, P. J. K. Mc Gowan, R. Wilkinson and S. J. Marsden. 2011. Population densities of understorey birds across a habitat gradient in Palawan, Philippines: implications for conservation. Fauna and Flora International. Oryx 45(2):234-242.

Maryland Department of Natural Resources. 2013. How to Measure a Tree. Retrieved on June 14, 2013 at http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/kids/bigtrees.asp

Sopsop, L.B. and I.E. Buot Jr. 2011. Human forest interaction in Aborlan Guba System, Palawan Island, Philippines: Implications for Conservation and Management. Asia Life Sciences: The Asian International Journal of Life Sciences 20(1):155-173.

Widman, P. 1998. A Guide to the Ecosystems of Palawan, Philippines. VISCA-GTZ Program on Applied Tropical Ecology. Times Editions. Singapore


http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/kids/bigtrees.asp

Bocxe, Kellie G., L. Vermeer, P. Zuidema, L. Sopsop, K. Hoevenaars. 2015.Effects of Resin Harvest on Physical Status and Reproduction of Agathis philippinensis.

Effects of Resin Harvest on Physical Status and Reproduction of Agathis philippinensis

Kellie G. Bocxe 1, Lars Vermeer1, Pieter Zuidema1, Lita Sopsop2and Kyra

Hoevenaars3*

1Forest Ecology and Forest Management Group, Wageningen University and Research Centre, PO Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands,

2Director, Intellectual Property Management Office, College of Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Western Philippines University, Aborlan, Palawan, the Philippines, and

3CEO Centre for Sustainability, Barangay Sta. Lucia, Puerto Princesa 5300, Palawan, Philippines *For correspondence. E-mail [email protected] or [email protected]

ABSTRACT

There is a globally growing demand for both commercial trade and subsistence uses of non-timber forest products (NTFP) that has increased the awareness of the potential for NTFP to be overharvested. Agathis philippinensis, locally known as Almaciga, is a coniferous tree species found in Palawan and harvested for its resin. Traditionally the resin was used for local practices, but it has commercialized and nowadays the resin from the A. philippinenis includes 80% of the local people’s income. The alteration of the survival, growth and reproduction rates of the NTFP species is the most direct ecological consequence of NTFP extraction and was studied for A. philippinensis. The results show that the harvest intensity largely affects the physical status of the trees (p<0.05, R-squared 0.601) with the turning point from a healthy to a diseased/terminal tree at a harvest intensity of 12.5%. The harvest intensity does not affect the reproductive state and the DBH is the significant explaining variable. The dendrology study of A. philippinensis shows the difficulties in making a time-series for this species because of the presence of false and (partially) missing rings. Overall, this study filled a knowledge gap on this Agathis species, but it is a pilot study. It is recommended to conduct a more in-depth research with this study as a baseline. An important focus would be on the reproductive processes and the influence of different harvesting intensities, and a full dendrology study. Keywords: Agathis philippinensis, resin, NTFP harvest, survival, reproduction, dendrology


mailto:[email protected]


Bocxe, Kellie G., L. Vermeer, P. Zuidema, L. Sopsop, K. Hoevenaars. 2015. Effects of Resin Harvest on Physical Status and Reproduction of Agathis philippinensis.

INTRODUCTION Healthy forests sustain the livelihoods for hundreds of millions of rural and urban

people across the globe (e.g. Pimentel et al., 1997; Emanuel et al., 2005; Gaoue & Ticktin, 2007). Many of these people live of non-timber forest products (NTFP) (Ticktin, 2004; Ella, 2008). There is a globally growing demand for both commercial trade and subsistence uses of NTFP (Flores and Ashton, 2000; Hamilton, 2004; Botha et al., 2004b) that has increased the awareness of the potential for NTFP to be overharvested (e.g. Peres et al. 2003; Botha et al., 2004b; Endress et al., 2004; Ticktin, 2004; Emanuel et al., 2005). The alteration of the survival, growth and reproduction rates of the NTFP species is the most direct ecological consequence of NTFP extraction (Ticktin, 2004; Rijkers et al., 2006). Especially NTFP harvest affects these vitality traits as harvesting may damage the plant and leave it more vulnerable to subsequent infection, disease or insect attacks (Gaoue & Ticktin, 2007).

Rijkers et al. (2006) indicates that if the extraction of wood exudates is done sustainably, it does not necessarily have to affect the vital processes of a tree. As, however, most of the harvest techniques used today emphasize on maximizing short-term economic gains, and do not consider long-term ecological consequences, this can jeopardize the preservation of tree species that provide essential ecosystem services. This seems to be the case in Palawan where the resin from the A. philippinensis is harvested.

Studies on Agathis species have been conducted, for example on Agathis australis (Owens et al., 1995; Silvester & Orchard, 1999; Verkaik & Braakhekke, 2007; Wyse, 2014) or Agathis ovata (Enright et al., 2003). However, the current study is one of very few about the Agathis philippinensis. The studies that are conducted are about the nutrient balance on A. dammara plantations (Bruijnzeel, 1984; Bruijnzeel & Wiersum, 1985); the vegetative propagation (Momose, 1978; Smits, 1983); or general descriptions of Agathis species (Whitmore, 1966; Ng, 1975; Whitmore, 1977; Whitmore, 1980; Boer & Ella, 2000). This study therefore aims to collect more knowledge about the Agathis philippinensis with a focus on the effect of resin harvest: (i) Is there an effect of resin harvest on the overall physical status of A. philippinensis?(ii) Is there an effect of resin harvest on the reproduction of A. philippinensis?Finally, there has never been a dendrology research on this specific Agathis species, therefore this will be a pilot study that shows an initial idea of the growth rates and the wood anatomy of this species. MATERIAL AND METHODS Study species

The studied species is the coniferous tree Agathis philippinensis, locally known as Almaciga. It is a monoecious but strongly dichogamous tree that can grow up to 65 m tall with a diameter of up to 200(-400) cm (Boer & Ella, 2000). The inner bark of Agathis species produces a clear white resin called Manila copal that can be tapped through the removal of the bark (Ella, 2000; Boer & Ella, 2000). It is used in paints, floor and shoe polish, lacquers, printing inks, but mainly as a varnish for wood and paper (Mantel, 1950; Ella, 2000; Boer & Ella, 2000). Study site The study site is one of the last primary forest areas left in the Philippines which is currently turned into a reserve called Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR). This mountainous area, with the size of about 35,000 ha, is located next to Puerto Princesa



Underground River National Park. CNFR is home to several communities of indigenous people, called the Batak. They harvest the resin harvested all year around and it is their most important resource as it covers about 80 percent of their income (Ella, 2008; CS, 2014). Data collection

Randomized coordinates were generated between an elevation of 700-1200 m where transects of 200x50 m were made in which all the A. philippinensis trees were measured. The collected data included; the coordinates, elevation, slope, height of the tree, DBH, the harvest intensity, the overall physical status of the tree, the presence of cones (top/floor) and the amount of cones (few cones, 1-5; moderate, 6-50; high, >50). The ‘overall physical status’ of the tree is divided in five categories (based on Halos and Principe, 1978):

i. Healthy: Red-greyish bark, full crown. ii. Early stage: A dark brown discoloration of the bark around the basal area. iii. Diseased: The branches start shedding of twigs and leaves and the density of the

crown decreases, hollow behind the tapped areas. iv. Terminal: The trunk is colonized by white ants/termites and the heartwood of the tree

is rotting. Crown density is decreased. v. Death: The trees collapse before they die because of the rotten heartwood and storms.

Statistical analysis A Shapiro-Wilk’s test showed that none of the independent variables was normally

distributed (p<0.05). The relation between the independent variables and the dependent variables (‘overall physical status’ and 'amount of cones') was tested with a Multiple Multinomial Regression. Backward stepwise elimination included the variables in the model when they were significant (P<0.05). A Kruskal-Wallis test was executed to test if there is a difference between the independent variable categories after which a Mann-Whitney-U test was performed to find the differences within the groups.

Tree ring analysis A core sample was taken with an increment borer from trees that had a diameter of

≥40 cm. Tree ring analysis was done with the use of WinDENDRO. To resolve the problems of missing or false rings, the ring-width series of the individual samples within the same trees were cross-dated by visual comparison of cores for the past 30 years (Stokes and Smiley, 1968). If the individual series could not be cross-dated within the tree, they were discarded from further analysis. Finally, local climate data was cross-datedwith the time-series. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Overall physical status

The Multiple Multinomial Regression eliminated all variables from the model except for ‘harvest intensity’ (p<0.05; Nagelkerke R-Square 0.601). Multiple Mann-Whitney-U tests show that the null hypothesis can be rejected for all combinations except for overall physical status categories two and three where p>0.05 (figure 1). Graph 1 shows that the probability of a healthy tree runs over into a diseased stage with a bark removal of more than 12.5% and a probability close to 0.5. Category 2, the early stage, never has the highest probability of occurring. At a bark removal of 23%, the terminal category has the highest probability and quickly exceeds the 0.5.



Other studies of trees where the bark is removed as a NTFP show negative effects on

the vitality of the tree and the survival of the species. For instance, repeated harvesting of Waburgia salutaris individuals in South Africa results in decreased basal diameter and height, and higher rates of fungal attack and mortality (Botha et al., 2004a). Purohit et al. (2001) studied Taxus baccata L. (Himalayan yew) and found that the growth and survival of this species declined significantly when the bark was removed beyond a limit of average bark thickness.Delvaux et al. (2010) studied 12 NTFP tree species in West Africa and found that ring-barking did not allow the sustainable exploitation of any of those species. When harvesting less than 75% of the ring of the bark, half of the trees showed good bark recoveries, but the other half had a bark recovery rate below 1 cm/year, rendering the wound closure very unlikely. Our results suggest that A. philippinensis will reach a terminal stage with 50% of the ring of the tree removed (graph 2-B).

Another study from Delvaux et al. (2009) showed that the majority of the tree species were sensitive to insect attacks, were the attacks were negatively correlated with non-recovered wound areas. Chungu et al. (2010) also found that the wood deteriorates as a result of insect damage and fungal infections for several tree species in Zambia. According to this research, covering the wound with mud immediately after harvesting considerably protected the trees. During this study, all observed dead Almaciga trees had collapsed and there were many living trees with rotten cores where traces of insect infestations were visible. This shows that A. philippinensis is also sensitive to insect attacks under the current harvest intensities.

FIGURE 1. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE DATA OVER THE 4 PHYSICAL STATUS CATEGORIES WITH HARVEST INTENSITY. THE MANN-WHITNEY-U TEST SHOWS THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘EARLY STAGE’ AND ‘DISEASED’ IS NOT SIGNIFICANT (P=0.064), WHILE ALL THE OTHER DIFFERENCES ARE SIGNIFICANT (P<0.05).

GRAPH 1. PROBABILITIES OF EACH OVERALL PHYSICAL STATUS CATEGORY AT DIFFERENT HARVEST INTENSITIES BASED ON THE MEASURED DATA. AT A HARVEST INTENSITY OF 12.5% THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF OCCURRING TURNS FROM HEALTHY TO A DISEASED STAGE. IT STAYS IN THE DISEASED STAGE UNTIL AROUND 23% AFTER WHICH THE PROBABILITY THAT A TREE IS IN THE TERMINAL STAGE IS THE HIGHEST.



Reproduction

TheMultiple Multinomial Regression with‘the amount of cones’ showed that all variables are excluded from the model except DBH (p<0.05, Nagelkerke R-squared 0.391). The Kruskal-Wallis test results were significant (p<0.05) thereby rejecting that the distribution of ‘DBH’ is the same across categories of ‘amount of cones’ (figure 2). Graph 2 shows that until a DBH of 140 cm, the chance that there are no cones is highest. After this DBH, all categories can occur as none of the probabilities is higher than 0.5. Nevertheless, a moderate amount has the highest probability of occurring.

According to this study the harvest intensity does not influence reproduction of A. philippinensis. Gaoue & Ticktin (2008) found that when foliage and bark harvesting intensities were similar, the reproductive performance of the Khaya senegalensis in Benin was only affected when there was another stress factor, which in this case were seasonal droughts. The CNFR did not suffer from seasonal droughts, so our data would correspond to the findings of Gaoue & Ticktin. However, other research has demonstrated that allocation of plants resources to reproduction may decrease under stressful conditions like NTFP harvesting (Bazzaz et al., 1987; Rijkers et al., 2006; Eshete et al., 2012). A study on B. papyrifera showed that this species produces 75% less seeds during heavy tapping, compared to no tapping (Rijkers et al., 2006). In addition, harvest of resin highly affected germination success as the chance of germination for seeds of non-tapped trees was 87% in comparison with 14.5% for annually tapped trees (Rijkers et al., 2006).

FIGURE 2. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE DATA OVER THE 4 ‘AMOUNT OF CONES’ CATEGORIES WITH DBH (CM). THE MANN-WHITNEY-U TEST SHOWS THAT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ‘NO’ AND ‘FEW’ AND ‘HIGH IS SIGNIFICANT (RESP. P=0.004 & P=0.031), AND ‘MODERATE’ ONLY SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERS FROM ‘NO’ AND NOT FROM ‘FEW’ AND ‘HIGH’.

GRAPH 2. PROBABILITIES OF EACH ‘AMOUNT OF CONES’ CATEGORY AT DIFFERENT DBH (CM) BASED ON THE MEASURED DATA. ACCORDING TO THESE PROBABILITIES, A TREE ONLY STARTS PRODUCING CONES AT A DBH >140 CM, BEFORE THAT THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY IS ‘NO’ CONES. AFTER 140 CM THE HIGHEST PROBABILITY OF OCCURRING IS A TREE PRODUCING A ‘MODERATE’ AMOUNT OF CONES.


Narrow bands of ‘latewood’

False rings


It is possible that the response of the tree does not follow a logistic curve but differs at different stages of harvest intensity, explaining why no relation was found. The observations suggest that trees under stress have a survival response and put all their energy in cone production instead of the trees own maintenance. This strategy is called ‘emergency flowering’ and has been known to happen in fruit-baring trees that are harvested, like the Prunus persica (peach tree) (Li et al., 1989), the Malpighia emarginata (Barbados cherry) growing in southern America (Costa Gomez, 2012) or the Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jack fruit) in the Philippines (Pers. Comm. A. Ella, 2015).

Tree ring analysis From the 68 samples, 55 cores could not be cross-dated with either a sample from the

same tree or the other trees. The main reason is the suppressed growth patterns with many very narrow rings with only one or two 'latewood' cells and the presence of false rings (figure 3). This is not enough to observe a transition zone between false ‘latewood’ cells and later formed earlywood cells (Stokes & Smiley 1968; Wunder et al., 2009).

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS This study shows that there is a significant negative effect of resin harvest on the

survival of A. philippinensis in the proposed CNFR. Combining data from other species and our own results suggests that the most extensive problemis that the A. philippinensis tree might be too vulnerable for insect attackswith the current harvest intensities. Further research should include an experimental set-up that studies the patterns of bark recovery rates under different conditions and the vulnerability to insect attacks; resulting in a relevant management tool. Harvest intensity does not affect the cone presence in the trees. It is recommended to do a more comprehensive research specifically focused on the reproductive strategy of the A. philippinensis where the sample size is increased and distributed evenly over different harvest intensity classes. Also, a study should be done on the effect of harvest on the germination of the seeds. For now, assumingthat the seeds will be able to germinate, our findings show that the population is still viable as long as large trees remain to produce cones.Finally, we were also interested in the effect of resin harvest on the growth. However, a tree ring analysis showed the difficulties in the wood anatomy of this species to determine false and/or missing rings.

FIGURE 3. UPPER IMAGE, LEFT: EXAMPLES OF NARROW WEDGING RINGS (UNDATED SERIES 24-9-2). THE SUPPRESSED GROWTH PATTERN WITH NARROW WEDGING RINGS WAS A TYPICAL FEATURE OF THE MEASURED A. PHILIPPINENSIS SAMPLES. UPPER IMAGE, RIGHT: CORE SAMPLE (UNDATED SERIES TREE 19-7-11) WITH PROBABLE FALSE TREE RINGS. BOTTOM IMAGE: CORE SAMPLES FROM THE SAME TREE (24-9-2) WITH A LARGE DIFFERENCE IN RING WIDTH BETWEEN A AND B. PHOTOS: K. BOCXE, OCT. 2015, EPSON SCAN. UPPER IMAGES MAGNIFICATION 5X, BOTTOM ACTUAL SIZE.



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Yamamoto, F., & Kozlowski, T. T. (1987). Effect of ethrel on growth and stem anatomy of Pinus halepensis seedlings. IAWA Journal, 8(1), 11-19.


Cayatoc, Felizardo B., R.G.Dolorosa, J.G. Becira, H.B.Pagliawan, R.A.T. Balisco, B.S. Montano, E.F. Rodriguez, N.D. Dieron, J. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Sustainable Coral Reefecosystem Management in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan: A Conservation Effort on Coral Reef Rehabilitation.

SUSTAINABLE CORAL REEFECOSYSTEM MANAGEMENT IN BACUIT BAY, EL NIDO, PALAWAN: A CONSERVATION EFFORT ON CORAL REEF

REHABILITATION

Felizardo B. Cayatoc1*, Roger G. Dolorosa2, Joel G. Becira2, Honorio B. Pagliawan2, Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco2, Bernaldo S. Montano2, Edwin F. Rodriguez2, Noli D.

Dieron3, Jaysee Matillano2 and Benjamin J. Gonzales2

1DENR-CENRO, Taytay-El NidoTaytay, Palawan, Philippines 2College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Western Philippines University-Puerto Princesa Campus

Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City 3Provincial Agriculture Office, Palawan *Corresponding Author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The alteration of the coral reef environment brought by natural and anthropogenic disasters has major consequences to the welfare of this vital ecosystem and human beings. To conserve the coral reefs despite the unavoidable and rapid changes, different approaches have been conducted to further expand the existing coral rehabilitation and conservation techniques. The main objective of this study is to rehabilitate the degraded corals in selected reefs of El Nido using three substrates. Coral fragments been planted in concrete blocks, elevated platforms and dome-shaped coral frames. Comparing the three substrates, coral blocks ranked the highest in terms of survival rate at an average mean of 98.67% and platforms the lowest at 90.74%. The closed results of survival might primarily be affected by the discrepancy in size of the coral fragments used. The levels of protection afforded to the three sites and the use of the islands as tourist destinations are also linked to factors that influence the growth and survival of the planted corals particularly in Cadlao Island. This study provides baseline information on any coral rehabilitation efforts in Palawan towards a sustainable management of reef resources. Protection and surveillance must be provided in the rehabilitated areas. Intensive information and education campaign regarding the sustainable coral reef ecosystem management and the coral rehabilitation initiatives of DENR is also recommended. Key words: coral blocks, coral fragments, dome-shaped frames, platforms, substrate, survival rate



Cayatoc, Felizardo B., R.G. Dolorosa, J.G. Becira, H.B.Pagliawan, R.A.T. Balisco, B.S. Montano, E.F. Rodriguez, N.D. Dieron, J. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan: A Conservation Effort on Coral Reef Rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION The coral triangle where the Philippines belong is a nursery of the sea. The reefs are

home to 755 of all known coral species, 600 species of reef fish, 300 species of marine fish and at least 27 species of marine mammals (Cesar 2000). The coral reefs of the Philippines are vital source of food and livelihood for millions of Filipino coastal families. It is estimated that one square kilometer of healthy coral reef can produce up to 20-30 tons of fish per year. Destroyed reefs on the other hand can only produce less than 5 tons of fish per square kilometer per year. However, threats to coral reefs brought about by natural causes as El Niño Phenomenon, rise in sea surface temperature lead to coral bleaching. Typhoons, tsunamis and strong surges on the other hand practically break the coral heads and disturb the physical structures of the reefs. Other challenges of coral reef towards climate change like frequent super typhoons, heavy rains, eutrophication of ocean, algal blooms, COTS, etc. likewise pauses continuous risks to coral reef ecosystem around the world. Illegal and destructive human activities equally put the coral ecosystems to danger. Activities like blast fishing, use of poisons, superlight, muro-ami, fine mesh nets, conversion of mangroves and seagrass habitats to land or other uses and pollution contribute to coral reef degradation. When the coral reef is degraded, reef fishes becomes depleted eventually affecting the source of food and livelihood of the coastal poor communities. Thus, the DENR CENRO Taytay – El Nido has conducted coral rehabilitation in 2014 in areas of El Nido with poor or degraded coral reefs, in order to ensure that livelihood and tourism is progressing and the marine environment is maintaining its ecological integrity (Becira et al. 2015).

The primary objectives of this study are: 1) to rehabilitate the degraded coral reefs using three substrates; and 2) to determine the status performance of the coral fragments in terms of survival and mortality rate. METHODOLOGY Locale of the study

Coral reefs to be rehabilitated should exhibit the following characteristics: tourism, fishing and navigation potentials and have poor to fair coral cover (Becira et al. 2014). Hence, for the purposes of this study and as a result of the 2013 coral assessment, Shimizu, Snake and Cadlao Islands (Figure 1) were identified. Shimizu is an open access island located at Bgy. Bebeladan, El Nido. About 60% of its 5 ha coral cover was suggested for restoration. Snake Island is not too busy for tourism activities compared to Shimizu. However, the reef in this island is used as a major fishing ground of the adjacent islands. Its estimated coral reef is 78 hectares of which 50% can be subjected to coral restoration. On the other hand, Cadlao is a ground for abalone fisheries, octopus and reef fishes. About 70% of the 730 ha reef in Cadlao is recommended for restoration (Becira et al. 2014). Sampling procedure

Deployment of coral substrate in blocks was done on May 1-8, 2014. One hundred fifty (150) coral blocks substrate were deployed in Bacuit Bay; fifty (50) in each site. Collection of at least 10 cm in length of planting material was obtained near the rehabilitation sites. In Cadlao Island, the planting material was obtained in the Meara reef.



Coral fragments were fixed into the hole/jacket using vulca-seal. Initial length of

planted coral fragments were measured using caliper after the deployment (Becira et al. 2014). Meanwhile, the coral garden platforms were set at the south eastern coast of the island at depths between 9 and 12 meter. Three (3) platforms were set at 9 meters while four (4) platforms were from 11 to 12 meter depth. The coral platforms used was 1.2 x 1.7 x 1 m. The size of PVC pipe used was 1.5 inch. The mesh used for attaching coral colonies was made of hog wire and nylon twines.In July 30, 2015, a total of six (6) dome-shaped coral frames were deployed in Bacuit Bay. Two dome-shaped frames were deployed per station. This was done to estimate the amount of labour and time to install the remaining 44 dome-shaped frames in the next field work, which were set in August 28, 2015.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Coral growth performance in blocks Highest growth increment was observed in Cadlao site wherein the average mean increment was 2.23 cm while the Snake Island had the lowest growth increment (Table 1). The good growth performance of planted corals in Cadlao Island was probably due to water circulation in the area. Survival rate of planted coral fragments ranged from 98.25% to 99.75% highest of which was found in Cadlao site. During the monitoring activity, fish aggregations along the cement substrate planted with coral seedlings were recorded after two months. These findings may be attributed to the presence of the school of Caesionids (Dalagang-bukid) during the first sampling. Based on the underwater observations during sampling, the concrete substrate also served as hiding place and grazing area for fishes. Likewise, the number of fish species and family showed a gradual increased. Coral growth performance in platforms and dome-shaped frames:

1. CADLAO Island Survival Rate: Cadlao Island has 14% survival of coral fragments. It was observed

that the dead fragments were the smaller fragments planted on platforms, measuring less

FIGURE 1. LOCATION MAP OF REHABILITATION SITES IN BACUIT BAY, EL NIDO, PALAWAN.

Cadlao Is.

Shimizu Is.

Snake Is.



than 10 cm length. Furthermore, the coral fragments placed in this site were taken from swallower portions of the Cadlao Reefs and planted in deeper portions (36-45 ft) of the reef. Thus, if the environmental conditions in the deep and shallow portions of Cadlao Reefs were different, then the deeper portions of the reef may not be suitable to the growth and survival of species of corals in the shallow reef. It will affect the survival rate of the planted corals, especially the smaller fragments. Thus, the dead coral were replaced by corals found in the same water depth. Replenishment and Restoration: all dead corals were replaced with coral fragments coming from the same water depth. This time, larger coral fragments or colonies were used to ensure higher survival of the coral nursery. Expansion: In July 29, 2015, four additional coral nursery platforms were deployed in Cadlao Reef. The additional platforms were set immediately adjacent to the previous platforms to augment its impact as fish and other marine life attraction device underwater. Two dome-shaped coral frames were deployed in Cadlao Island. They were set at the landward portion of the nursery platforms.

1. Shimizu Island Shimizu Island has 50.5% survival rate of planted corals. Different species of fishes

were observed interacting with the underwater structure. A rope of a signage was found entangled with one of the platforms. The divers disentangled buoy rope from the platform. New recruits of coral colonies coming from the wild were observed attached to platforms. The coral nursery has a safe place since its location was away from the center of human activities in the island, and also has an ample depth that avoided the tourist bancas which landed on the beach. There was also a sign of one platform being hit by an anchor. Thus, signage could be used to prevent anchoring on the site. Four additional platforms with newly planted coral fragments were installed just adjacent to the previous platforms. Two dome-shaped coral platforms were also installed in the nursery site. The coral reefs in Shimizu Island has a steep slope, thus the number of dome-shaped coral platform would be limited in this site.

2. Snake Island Although the siltation was relatively high at Snake Island, the coral fragments

survival rate was the highest, having 90.1%. Most of the platforms have nearly 100% survival (Fig. 2). The area was not much affected by human activity since it is located at the center of the inlet, where the spot was not a popular site for tourists. This situation is advantageous to the nursery so as not to be disturbed by anthropogenic activities. However, dome shaped frames have to be placed in a non-silted area if it is intended to attract divers/tourists. Four additional coral nursery platforms were installed adjacent to the existing ones, while two dome-shaped coral frames were set near natural coral boulders near the nursery platforms. The 50 dome–shaped platforms frames were installed in more clear waters in Snake Island.

Coral rehabilitation expansion

A total of 50 domes were deployed in three coral rehabilitation sites in El Nido, Palawan (Table 1). Each dome deployed in August 2015 was planted with at least 100 coral fragments, while steel domes deployed in July 2015 were planted with at least 70 coral fragments



Monitoring

Coral fragments been planted on coral dome and platforms in July 2015 have 100% survival as of August 2015 (Figure 2). The first two coral domes been deployed in a separate site in Snake Island, El Nido, Palawan in July 2015 were gradually covered with filamentous algae . Because of very low visibility in this site, these two domes were transferred in a new site with higher visibility and good coral cover.

Table 1. Number of domes planted with corals been deployed at three coral rehabilitation sites in El Nido, Palawan.

Date Location Total # of fragments per unit Cadlao Shimizu Snake August 28-30, 2015 8 3 33 44 100 July 30, 2015 2 2 2 6

50 70

Total 10 5 35

Figure 2. Survival rate of corals in dome and platform substrates as of Sept 30, 2015.

Comparing the three substrates, coral blocks ranked the highest in terms of survival rate at an average mean of 98.67% and platforms the lowest at 90.74%. The closed results of survival might primarily be affected by the discrepancy in size of coral fragments used (Aquino et al. undated). In addition, the levels of protection afforded to the three sites might also be one of the leading factors affecting the growth performance particularly in Cadlao Island.



CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The growth performance of coral fragments planted in coral blocks, platforms and dome-shaped frames almost hit the 100% survival rate. Although there are major disturbances and factors affecting its survival, it has been noted that the expansion of coral rehabilitation would generate valuable results to policy makers towards a sustainable management of reef resources. Protection and surveillance should be strengthened and provided in the rehabilitated areas. It is also recommended to have an intensive information and education campaign regarding the sustainable coral reef ecosystem management and the coral rehabilitation initiatives of DENR.

REFERENCES

Aquino MTR, Alarcon RC and Pagliawan MRC. Undated. Vulnerability and resilience assessment of Tubbataha reefs natural park, Cagayancillo, Palawan, Philippines. Accessed on June 10, 2015.

Becira JG, Pagliawan HB, Rodriguez EF and Dieron ND. 2014. Coral rehabilitation project in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan, Philippines: 2014. A technical report submitted to the SCREMProject of DENR., Philippines.

Becira JG, Pagliawan HB, Rodriguez EF and Dieron ND. 2015. Coral reef enhancement/rehabilitation in Snake, Cadlao and Shimizu Islands, Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan. A technical report submitted to the SCREMProject of DENR, Philippines.

Cesar HSJ. 2000. Collected essays on the economics of coral reefs. CORDIO, Department for Biology and Environmental Sciences, Kalmar University, SE-392 82 KALMAR, Sweden. 242 pp.

Marler, P.N., Castro, L.S.G., Hoevenaars, K. Mammalian Fauna of the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR): A Camera Trap Study of Palawan’s Mammals


Cayatoc, Felizardo B., R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, J.D. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Reef Assessment In Matinloc, Tapiutan And Cadlao Islands,El Nido, Palawan.

REEF ASSESSMENT IN MATINLOC, TAPIUTAN AND CADLAO ISLANDS, EL NIDO, PALAWAN

Felizardo B. Cayatoc1*, Roger G. Dolorosa2, Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco2, Joie D. Matillano2 and Benjamin J. Gonzales2

1DENR-CENRO, Taytay-El Nido

Taytay, Palawan, Philippines 2College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

Western Philippines University-Puerto Princesa Campus Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City

*Corresponding Author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The increasing signs of impacts to reef resources brought by the growing interest of human and tourism industry in El Nido, Palawan were evaluated using coral cover surveys and fish visual census. The assessment has recorded 105 fish species along the belt transects in five sampling stations categorized into Target, Major, and Indicator groups. Fish abundance were high in Tapiutan while it appears low in Matinloc. It was noted that Paradise reef has the highest fish biomass, although categorized as “moderate”, and the lowest was recorded in Matinloc. On the other hand, of the five sites surveyed, Matinloc can be considered as having “Very good” coral condition as per DENR category of coral reefs, Tapiutan is in “good condition” while Cadlao only showed a “fair” coral cover. The “good” to “fair” condition of corals may be attributed to the popularity of the islands as tour destinations and this could affect coral cover together with dynamite fishing in the recent past. The presence of fish species and the good coral condition could have a strong bearing on the conservation policies of the protected area and the municipality. Permanent monitoring sites should be established and municipal wide campaign is needed for the strong protection and to further enhance the condition of the reefs.

Keywords: abundance, biomass, Bacuit Bay, coral cover, fish census, SCREMP



Cayatoc, F.B., R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, J.D. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Reef Assessment In Matinloc, Tapiutan And Cadlao Islands, El Nido, Palawan.

INTRODUCTION

The El Nido–Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area (ENTMRPA) covers a total of 89,134 hectares. Its protection started in 1998 through Proclamation No. 32. Bacuit Bay, located in the western side of the Municipality of El Nido, is part of the ENTMRPA. However, in spite of being a protected area, there are still reports of unsustainable practices which have driven the gradual reductions of reef resources. Expressing economic losses from reef ecosystem degradation is becoming a more and more accepted (Cesar 2000) and the socio-economic impacts are a major concern bringing threats to resource restoration. Over the years, El Nido reefs have been a victim of blast fishing and heavy fishing pressure that led to the dramatic decreased of fish population (Meur 2006).This led to a collaborative effort of the DENR through the Community Environment and Natural Resource Office (CENRO) of Taytay-El Nido, Western Philippines University (WPU) and Local Government Unit of El Nido (LGU-El Nido) in assessing some coral reefs in Bacuit Bay to include Matinloc, Tapiutan, and Cadlao islands. As part of the Sustainable Coral Reef Ecosystem Management Program (SCREMP) of DENR, selected coral reef areas were assessed last August 2015. This survey was conducted to supplement the 2013 coral reef study implemented in 30 sites. This work was an attempt to assess fish and coral resources that will serve as baseline information on the status of the areas. METHODOLOGY Location of the study

The study covers five sampling stations in the islands of Matinloc, Tapiutan, and Cadlao, all in Bacuit Bay (Figure 1). The sampling areas are within the boundaries of the El Nido-Taytay Managed Resource Protected Area, which is managed by the DENR-CENRO Taytay-El Nido. The islands are about 11 km, 13 km and 3 km away from the mainland, respectively. These are the location of some of the known beaches and tour destinations in El Nido for a number of tourists coming in. The surveys were conducted on August 30, 2015.

Figure 1. The study sites in Matinloc (Station 1-3), Tapiutan Island (Station 4) and Paradise Beach in Cadlao Island (S5), all in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan.



Sampling Procedure

Coral Survey The same belt transects used for fish visual census were used in classifying the

benthic cover using Reef Check (Hodgson et al. 2004). In this case, the belt transects were divided into four 20 m segments. A point sample is read every 0.5 m intervals for every 20 m section of the tape, leaving a 5 m interval so that the each site will have four replicate readings. Benthic cover was classified into hard corals (HC), soft coral (SC), sponge (SP), others which include seafan, gorgonians, clams and tunicates (OT), recently killed coral (RKC) rock (RC) coral rubble (RB), sand (SD), silt (SI) and nutrient indicator algae (NIA). Relative frequency was determined by dividing the total number of points that each category appeared by the total number of points per transect (segment). The mean of the four replicates represented the relative frequency of each substrate category. For percent coral cover, the total points for each substrate category was divided by the total points of all identified substrate categories multiplied by 100. The mean values for all four segments were computed and interpreted following the DENR (2013) categories (Table 1).

Fish visual census survey Three stations were established in Matinloc Island, one in Tapiutan, and one in

Paradise islands. Survey methods for substrate and fish visual census were employed using scuba (English et al. 1997). Two 50 m belt transects were surveyed at each site. Fishes encountered in the belt transects (50 m x 5 m) were identified, the total length estimated, counted, and recorded. Fish identification was up to the lowest possible taxon using existing identification guidebooks (Allen et al. 2003; Kuiter and Tonozuka 2004). For estimating the biomass of fishes, the parameters a and b of Kulbicki et al. (1993) were used. Surveys were conducted from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM in the reefs with 3–10 m depth. Fishes were categorized as “Target” (with commercial value and the main target of fishermen), “Indicators” (indicate the reef condition), and “Major” groups (with less commercial value, other than Target and Indicator).

Table 1. Reef health categories (DENR 2013)

DENR Live Coral Cover Categories Poor Fair Good Very Good Excellent 0-10 11-30 31-50 51-75 76-100

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Species composition

There were 105 fish species recorded along the belt transects in five sampling stations in El Nido, Palawan (Table 2).

Species category

The fishes listed were categorized into Target, Major, and Indicator groups. Of the 105 fish species, 49 (46.2%) are targeted by the fishermen, 46 (43.4%) are the Indicators, and 11 (10.38%) in are in the Major group.



Table 2. Summary of the species composition, category and biomass of fishes of selected reefs in El Nido, Palawan. Island / Reef

No. of Families

No. of Species

Target Species

Major Species

Indicator Species

Matinloc 1 12 48 20 2 26 Matinloc 2 13 44 18 5 21 Matinloc 3 11 51 20 3 28 Tapiutan 14 63 34 4 25 Paradise (Cadlao) 17 50 21 5 24

Total 19 105 49 11 46 Fish abundance and biomass

The average fish abundance was 1,342 indiv.1000 m-2. Abundance ranged from 928 to 2,096 indiv.1000 m-2, with Tapiutan having the highest (2,096) and Matinloc 1 with the lowest fish abundance (928) (Table 3). The total fish biomass in all sampling stations was 81.12MT km-2. The highest recorded biomass during the survey was noted in Paradise reef, although categorized as “moderate”, and the lowest was recorded in Matinloc 2 (Tables 3 and 4). The average fish biomass of sampling stations was 16.22 MT km-2.

Table 3. Number of individuals and fish biomass in selected reefs of El Nido, Palawan. Reef/ Island

# ofindiv. 1000 m-2

Category (Hilomen et al.

2000)

Biomass (MT km-2)

Category (Hilomen et al.

2000) Matinloc 1 928 Moderate 11.85 Low Matinloc 2 1,428 Moderate 9.52 Low Matinloc 3 1,196 Moderate 12.14 Low Tapiutan 2,096 Moderate 17.92 Low Paradise (Cadlao) 1,068 Moderate 29.69 Moderate Total 6,712 81.12 Average 1,342.4 Moderate 16.22 Low

Table 4. Total fish biomass (MT km-2), including the biomass of target, indicator and major groups of fishes in surveyed reefs in El Nido, Palawan. Reef/ Island Biomass(MT km-2) Target Major Indicator Matinloc 1 11.85 4.297 0.235 7.319 Matinloc 2 9.52 1.981 0.962 6.572 Matinloc 3 12.14 6.142 0.345 5.655 Tapiutan 17.92 10.051 0.453 7.418 Paradise (Cadlao) 29.69 23.917 0.656 5.114 Total 81.12 46.387 2.652 32.078 Average 16.22 9.277 0.530 6.416



Live Coral Cover

The live hard coral cover was highest in S1 in Matinloc Island while the lowest hard coral cover were in S5 in Cadlao (27%) and S4 in Tapiutan Island. All three sites in Matinloc Island have above 50% coral cover. As a whole, the five sites surveyed during this assessment have a mean live coral cover of 50%.

Relative Frequency of Other Substrate Categories

For non-living substrate categories, the most dominant in all sites were either rocks (RC) or rubble (RB) with higher frequencies of RC in Stations 2 and 3 (28 and 32% respectively) and a domination of RB in S3 and S4 (42 and 36% respectively). Interestingly, there were very low percentage of recently killed corals (RKC) in all stations. Consequently, we have not recorded any NIA, suggesting that the reefs surveyed are devoid of nutrient influx (Table 1). Of the five sites surveyed, three sites (S1-3 in Matinloc Island) can be considered as having Very Good coral condition as per DENR category of coral reefs with live coral cover above 50%. On the other hand, S4 is in Good condition while S5 on Cadlao Island only showed a fair coral cover.

The low live coral cover in S5 could be attributed to the popularity of the nearby Paradise Beach as island hopping tour destination in Bacuit Bay. For S4 however, we attribute low coral cover to dynamite fishing even in the recent past. This was also very evident in the high frequency of coral rubble in the area. Tapiutan Strait is considered as one of the richer fishing grounds in El Nido’s Bacuit Bay and as such a lot of fishers are going there. To date, there are still reports of illegal fishing activities, which may have been unabated due to Tapiutan’s distance from the mainland and the absence of a more regular patrolling implemented by law enforcers.

On the contrary, the better condition of corals in S1-3 may be attributed to the continuous presence of tour boats that visit the nearby Matinloc Shrine, which is a popular stop in Tour C of El Nido island hopping tours. However, it is worth noting that in beach areas close to where the boats dock in Matinloc Island, the coral reef has been virtually scraped off the reef through anchor and rope damage. In addition, snorkelers who frequent the reefs may have added to the damage as well. The average live benthic cover of coral reefs surveyed during this study is slightly lower than those of coral reefs in selected reefs in Malampaya Sound surveyed by Gonzales et al. (2014) and Honda Bay (Gonzales 2004, Gonzales et al. 2006), while it is comparatively in better condition compared to reef areas surveyed in Bacuit Bay (Gonzales et al. 2013) that are closer to the mainland Palawan.


The improvement in quality and quantity of the coral reef and commercially important species is reflected by the positive impact that a protected area has gained overtime. The findings are not the indications of how diverse the areas are but it is worth noted that the presence of identified fish species as well as the good condition of coral reef are significant to the municipality’s welfare through a wide array of ecosystem services. Innovative technology on enhancing the attraction and utilization of coral gardens by fishes and other marine organisms is recommended and a permanent monitoring stations should be established in the area to further enhance the condition of the reefs and to prevent illegal fishermen from using dynamite, particularly in Tapiutan Straight. Mooring buoys should be established on these sites to halt anchor damage on the reef brought by island hopping activities. Likewise, information education campaign to boat men to prevent anchor damage to the reef must also be conducted.


Cayatoc, F.B., R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, J.D. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Reef Assessment In

Matinloc, Tapiutan And Cadlao Islands, El Nido, Palawan.

REFERENCES Allen G, Steene R, Humann P, DeLoach N (2003) Reef fish identification: Tropical Pacific. New World

Publications, Inc. Cesar H. 2000. Impacts of the 1998 Coral Bleaching Event on Tourism in El Nido, Philippines. USAID-URI

Cooperative Agreement in Coastal Resources Management. Coastal Resources Center, University of Rhode Island. Accessed on October 16, 2015.

English S, Wilkingon C, Baker V. 1997. Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources. Australian Institute Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland.

Gonzales, B. J. 2004. Puerto Princesa Bay and Honda Bay, Palawan: An Ecological Profile. FRMP Technical Monograph Series, No. 8 (Ablaza, E.C. ed.) 28 pp

Gonzales BG, Becira JG, Pagliawan HB, Matillano JD, Rodriguez EF, Genson F, Balisco R, Montano BS, Dieron N, Gonzales JG, Gonzales MMG, and Gallo JP. 2013. Coral reefs and fishes in Bacuit Bay, El Nido, Palawan: 2013. A technical report submitted to the SCREMProject of DENR., Philippines.

Gonzales BG, Sariego RS, Galon WM, Pagliawan HB, Becira J, Rodriguez EF, Montano BS, and Dieron N. 2006. Pandan Island resource assessment with recommendations for conservation and development planning. A technical report submitted to the Legend Hotel International Corporation, Palawan, Philippines.

Hilomen VV, Nañola CL, Dantis AL. 2000. Status of Philippine reef fish communities. In: Licuanan WY, Gomez ED (Eds) Phi,lippine coral reefs, reef fishes, and associated fisheries, status and recommendations to improve their management.

Hodgson G, Kiene W, Mihaly J, Liebeler J, Shuman C, Maun L. 2004. Reef Check Instruction Manual: A Guide to Reef Check Coral Reef Monitoring. Reef Check, Institute of the Environment, University of California at Los Angeles

Kuiter RH, Tonozuka T (2004) Pictorial guide to Indonesian reef fishes. Dive and Dive’s Kulbicki M, Mou Tham G, Thollot P, Wantiez L (1993). Naga, The ICLARM Quarterly: 26-30 Meur M. 2006. Restoring coral reefs. www.asiangeo.com. No. 38, Issue 5/2006. Accessed on October 16, 2015.


http://www.asiangeo.com/

Cayatoc, F.B., R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, J.D. Matillano, and B.J. Gonzales. 2015. Reef Assessment In Matinloc, Tapiutan And Cadlao Islands, El Nido, Palawan. Appendix 1. Checklist of fish species encountered in selected reefs of El Nido, Palawan.

Family Species Matinloc 1 Matinloc 2 Matinloc 3 Tapiutan Paradise

1

Acanthuridae

1 Acanthurus nigrofuscus + + + + 2 Acanthurus triostegus + 3 Ctenochaetus striatus + 4 Naso lituratus + 5 Zebrasoma scopas + + + + +

2 Apogonidae 6 Cheilodipterus sp. +

3

Caesionidae

7 Caerio teres + 8 Caesio cuning + 9 Pterocaesio trilineata +

4

Chaetodontidae

10 Chaetodon auriga + 11 Chaetodon baronessa + + + + 12 Chaetodon kleiini + + 13 Chaetodon lunulatus + 14 Chaetodon octofasciatus + 15 Chaetodon trifascialis + 16 Chaetodon vagabundus + 17 Chelmon rostratus + 18 Heniochus chrysozonus + 19 Heniochus varius +

5

Holocentridae

20 Myripristes violacea + 21 Neoniphon sammara +

22 Sargocentron caudimaculatum

+ +


6 Kyphosidae 23 Kyphosus vaigiensis + Family Species Matinloc 1 Matinloc 2 Matinloc 3 Tapiutan Paradise

7

Labridae

24 Bodianus mesothorax + + + 25 Cheilinus fasciatus + 26 Cheilio inermis + + 27 Choerogon anchorago + 28 Cirrhilabrus cyanopleura + 29 Coris gaimard + 30 Diproctacanthus xanthurus + + + + + 31 Epibulus insidiator + + + 32 Gymphosus varius + + + + 33 Halichoeres hortulanus + + + + 34 Halichoeres melanurus + + + + 35 Labroides dimidiatus + + + +

36 Macropharyngodon meleagris

+ + 37 Oxycheilinus celebicus + + + 38 Pseudocheilinus hexataenia + + + + 39 Stethojulis bandanensis + 40 Thalassoma hardwecki + + + 41 Thalassoma lunare + + + + +

8

Lethrinidae

42 Gnathodentex aurilineatus + 43 Monotaxis grandoculis + + + +

9

Lutjanidae

44 Lutjanus biguttatus + 45 Lutjanus bohar + + + 46 Lutjanus quinquilineatus +

10 Mullidae 47 Mulloidichthys vanicolensis + +


48 Parupeneus barberinus + 49 Parupenues multifasciatus + + + 50 Parupeneus pleurostigma +


11

Nemipteridae

51 Pentapodus caninus + 52 Scolopsis bilineata + + + + 53 Scolopsis ciliata + + 54 Scolopsis margaritifer + +

12

Pomacanthidae

55 Centropyge tibicen + 56 Centropyge vrolicki + +

57 Chaetodontoplus mesoleucus

+ + 58 Pygoplites diacanthus + + +

13 Pomacentridae 59 Abudefduf sexfasciatus + + + + 60 Abudefduf vaigiensis + +

61 Acanthochromis polyacanthus

+ + + + + 62 Amblyglyphidodon aureus + + 63 Amblyglyphidodon batunai + 64 Amblyglyphidodon curacao + + + + +

65 Amblyglyphidodon leucogaster

+ + 66 Amphiprion clarkii + + 67 Amphiprion frenatus + 68 Amphiprion ocellaris + + 69 Amphiprion sandaracinos + 70 Chromis margaritifer + + +


71 Chromis retrofasciata + 72 Chromis viridis + + + 73 Chromis weberi + + 74 Chromis xanthura + + 75 Chrysiptera biocellata + Family Species Matinloc 1 Matinloc 2 Matinloc 3 Tapiutan Paradise 76 Chrysiptera parasema + + + + + 77 Chrysiptera rollandi + + + 78 Dascyllus aruanus + 79 Dascyllus reticulatus + + + + 80 Dascyllus trimaculatus + + + + + 81 Dischistodus melanotus + + 82 Dischistodus prosopotaenia + + 83 Neoglyphidodon bonang + + + 84 Neoglyphidodon melas + + + + 85 Neoglyphidodon nigroris + + + + +

86 Plectroglyphidodon lacrymatus

+ + + + + 87 Pomacentrus alexanderae + + + + 88 Pomacentrus brachialis + + + + 89 Pomacentrus lepidogenys + + + + + 90 Pomacentrus moluccensis + + + + + 91 Pomacentrus philippinus + + + + + 92 Pomacentrus stigma + + + 93 Pomacentrus vauili + + + + 14 Scaridae 94 Chloururus bleekeri + + + + 95 Hipposcarus longiceps + + + +


96 Scarus oviceps + + + 15 Scorpaenidae 97 Pterois volitans + 16 Serranidae 98 Cephalopholis boenak + + + + 99 Cephalopholis miniata + 100 Epinephelus fasciatus + + 101 Epinephelus quoyanus + 102 Pseudoanthias huchti +


17 Siganidae 103 Siganus virgatus +

18 Sphyraenidae 104 Sphyraena jello +

19 Zanclidae 105 Zanclus cornutus + + + + +



Appendix 2. Total fish biomass (MT km-2), including the biomass of target, indicator and major groups of fishes in surveyed reefs in El Nido, Palawan.

Appendix 3. Live coral cover in fringing reefs of Matinloc (S1-3), Tapiutan (S4), and Cadlao Island (S5).



Appendix 4. Relative frequency of other substrate categories in the five stations.

S1 S2 S3 S4 S5 HC 68% 62% 59% 34% 27% SC 0% 0% 1% 1% 0% RKC 1% 0% 1% 0% 1% NIA 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% SP 1% 6% 3% 1% 3% RC 17% 28% 32% 15% 16% RB 11% 5% 4% 42% 36% SD 2% 0% 1% 8% 17% SI 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% OT 1% 0% 0% 0% 1%

Appendix 5. Coral reef conditions in some reefs in Honda Bay and Northern Palawan.

50 %

34 %

53 % 58 %

55 % % 56

0 %

% 10

% 20

30 %

40 %

50 %

% 60

70 %

This study (2015) Bacuit Bay ( Gonzales et al.

2013)

Snake Island ( Gonzales et al.

2008)

Pandan Island ( Gonzales et al.

2006)

Tumbod (Gonzales at al. 2014)

Liminangcong ( Gonzales at al.

2014)

Relative frequency

Proceedings 2nd Palawan Research Symposium 2015 52

Consad, Hermanito B. II. 2015. Source and Quality of Drinking Water and Prevalence of Water-related Diseases in Selected Community-based Sustainable Tourism Sites in Puerto Princesa City.

SOURCE AND QUALITY OF DRINKING WATER AND PREVALENCE OF WATER-

RELATED DISEASES IN SELECTED COMMUNITY-BASED SUSTAINABLE TOURISM SITES IN PUERTO PRINCESA CITY

Hermanito B. Consad II

College of Nursing & Health Sciences Palawan State University

Puerto Princesa City, 5300 Palawan, Philippines [email protected] / 09192977736

ABSTRACT

The study delved on the different sources of drinking water and their quality, home-based water purification practices and the occurrence of water-borne diseases in selected CBST barangays in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Water samples were collected, residents were interviewed, and records on water-borne diseases were reviewed from 2011 and 2012. The main source of drinking water is communal faucet, classified as Level II water source. Laboratory analyses revealed that all water sources did not meet the set microbiological standard. As to physical quality, both Brgy. Bacungan and Maoyon have problems in color; salinity and pH are additional physical quality concern of the two barangays respectively. Chemical quality analyses revealed that manganese is an issue for both barangays, additionally Barangay Bacungan water is hard while for Brgy. Maoyon, its chromium is high. Water sources in Barangay Bacungan and Maoyon are not suitable for human consumption. Biosand filter is the most practiced form of water purification in Barangay Bacungan; majority of Barangay Maoyon residents do not practice water purification. Gastrointestinal disorder and/or diarrhea cases are inconclusive. The poor quality of drinking-water and the absence or ineffective practice of home-based water treatment poses a threat to the health of the residents and the tourism potential of both areas in case outbreak of water-borne diseases occurs. Institutionalization of water quality testing is recommended; introduction of home-based water purification is immediate and assistance to develop water treatment facility is recommended.

Keywords: CBST, tourism, drinking water quality, source of water




INTRODUCTION Access to safe drinking water is still a problem to developing counties including the Philippines. The quality of water, according to the World Health Organization (2012), is one powerful environmental determinants of health. Based on the data from the WHO (2004), there are 1.9 million diarrheal deaths in which 88% of cases were related to unsafe water, sanitation and inadequate hygiene and mostly affected were children under five (5) years old. One billion people worldwide lack access to improve water source (WHO 2012).Diarrhea is the second leading cause of death among young children (WHO, 2012). Diarrhea, defined as the passage of three or more watery stools in a day is usually a symptom due to disturbance of the intestinal tract resulting from infection. It is categorized into three, acute watery diarrhea, acute bloody diarrhea, and persistent diarrhea (WHO, 2013). In the Philippines, according to the National Development Authority (2010), 432 municipalities are considered as waterless. There are 10 waterless municipalities identified in the MIMAROPA region. Waterless are defined as those municipalities with less than 50% water service coverage. More than 1.5 million households excluding those in Metro Manila do not have access to safe drinking water (NEDA, 2010). As a result, diarrhea and water-related diseases continue to rank as the leading cause of illness and death in the country. Incidence rate of water-related diseases is 1997 per 100,000 population and the mortality rate is at 6.7 per 100,000 population.In MIMAROPA region, according to the Department of Social Welfare and Development (2013), of the 98,663 poor households that has no access to safe drinking water, 54,859 were from Palawan. The main sources of drinking water of these poor households were from dug well (26%), spring, river and stream (12%), and collected rainfall (<1%). Puerto Princesa City is composed of 66 barangays, 35 urban and 31 rural. Twenty nine 29 rural barangays do not have access to PPCWD service. Barangay Bacungan & Maoyon are component barangays of Puerto Princesa City. Both are located in the northeastern part and are highly accessible to any kind of land transportation. Barangay Bacungan is approximately 30 minutes ride from the City while Barangay Maoyon is 45-60 minutes. Figure 1. Vicinity Map



Identification of Level of Water Sources

The Department of Health-Philippines identified three (3) levels of water sources, Level I or point of source. Under this level are developed well, protected spring without distribution system. It serves 15-25 households with no more than 250 meters from the farthest user and with a water discharge of 40-140 liters per minute. Level II (communal faucet system or standpost) is composed of a source, reservoir, piped distribution network, and communal faucets with no more than 25 meters from the farthest user, a water discharge of 40-80 per capita per day to an average of 100 households with one (1) faucet per 4-6 households (PNSDW, 2007). Level III or water works system/individual household connection. It is composed of a source, a reservoir, a distribution network and household taps, this system requires a minimum treatment for disinfection (PNSDW, 2007). Water Quality Parameters Microbial Quality Parameter

Coliform do not necessarily cause diseases but its presence in drinking water signifies possible fecal contamination. Total coliform bacteria are described as aerobic and facultative anaerobic, gram negative, non-spore forming, rod-shaped bacteria that ferment lactose with gas formation within 48 hours at 35°C (Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water, 2007). A subgroup of total coliform, fecal coliforms are differentiated in laboratory examination using elevated temperature of 43-44.5°C. Their origins whether humans or animals are undistinguishable, they provide strong indicator for fecal contamination. Acceptable level of total and fecal coliform is <1.1 MPN/100 ml. The Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water 2007 emphasized that coliform bacteria fulfill when no organism fits all the criteria as an indicator organism (PNSDW, 2007).

Physical and Chemical Quality Parameters

Physical test for water quality includes conductivity, color, pH, salinity, suspended solids, total dissolved solids, and turbidity.

Chemical analysis for water quality includes calcium, calcium carbonate, chloride, chromium, fluoride, iron, manganese, magnesium, nitrate, and sodium. METHODOLOGY Water samples were extracted from Barangay Bacungan and Maoyon. Water sample extraction was done from all the sources identified by the residents. For microbial analysis, 100 ml of water were extracted and placed in a tightly cap pre-sterilized container, for chemical and physical analysis, more than 300 ml per source was extracted. House to house interview was conducted to the household member of both barangays. The different practices of home-based water treatment were asked. The two-year morbidity records and the total population for 2011 to 2012 of subject barangays were reviewed and were the basis for the computation of incidence rate to determine prevalence of waterborne diseases, the data were supplied by the barangay health center in both areas.



RESULTS

Fifty-three percent of the surveyed household indicated communal faucet as their main source of drinking water. The main source is categorized as Level II water source.

Table 1. Bacteriological AnalysisBy Barangay

Barangay Sample Coliform Remarks Total Fecal

Bacungan

S1 >8.0 8 Failed S2 >8.0 8 Failed S3 >8.0 8 Failed S4 8 4.6 Failed S5 4.6 4.6 Failed S6 >8.0 8 Failed S7 8 8 Failed S8 8 8 Failed S9 1.1 1.1 Failed

S10 >8.0 8 Failed

Maoyon

S1 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S2 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S3 2.6 2.6 Failed S4 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S5 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S6 8 8 Failed S7 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S8 >8.0 >8.0 Failed S9 >8.0 >8.0 Failed

S10 >8.0 >8.0 Failed Acceptable

Level <1.1 <1.1

The bacteriological test revealed that drinking water sources of residents living in both

barangays are high in total and fecal coliform, an indication of fecal contamination. Physical quality analysis revealed that three (3) water samples from Brgy. Bacungan

exceed the 10 TCU limit for color (ave. 13.33), eight samples exceed (ave. 0.3375 ppt) the acceptable level (0.25 ppt) for salinity. For Brgy. Maoyon, four (4) of its samples exceed the 10 TCU limit for color (ave. 22.5 TCU) and seven (7) are below the acceptable pH range (ave. 5.75) acceptable level is 6.5-8.

The chemical analysis results of the eight (8) water samples taken from sources of drinking water from Barangay Bacungan is generally “hard”. Manganese content of two samples also exceeds allowable level. Chromium content of five (5) samples from Brgy. Maoyon are above the normal level. The manganese level of four (4) samples are above the national standard.Hard water requires more detergent in order to make lather. Manganese is not a threat to health of consumers but it affects acceptability in drinking water. Increased in manganese content makes the water salty in taste.



Year Total Number of Waterborne Disease* in a Given Yeara

Total Number of Population in the same

Yearb

Attack Rate (Per 1000

population) Barangay Bacungan (identified as GI disorder)

2011 49 4391 11.16 2012 9 4557 3.29

Barangay Maoyon (identified as diarrhea) 2011 15 1350 11.11 2012 12 1350 8.89

Overall (both barangays) 2011 64 5741 11.15 2012 21 5907 4.57

Incidence rate (IR)= a/b x 1000

In 2011, 49 people from Barangay Bacungan were reported to experience gastrointestinal disorder, with an incidence rate of 11.16 per 1000 populations. In 2012, nine residents were reported to experience gastrointestinal disorder with an incidence rate of 3.29 per 1000 populations. The incidence rate in 2012 is comparably lower than in 2011. The absence of a laboratory as well as the medical doctor made it hard to roll out cases involving the gastrointestinal area. Whether it is water related or not, the possibility of identifying them was difficult.

For Barangay Maoyon, in 2011 the incidence rate is at 11.11 per 100 population. Fifteen (15) cases of waterborne diseases were recorded and in 2012 it decreases to 8.89 per 1000 population. Twelve (12) cases of waterborne diseases were reported. The overall incidence rate of waterborne diseases in 2011 is 11.15 per 1000 population and 4.57 per 1000 population in 2012. The incidence rate of water borne diseases is low in 2012 than in 2011.The incidence rate of waterborne diseases lowers in 2012 but no definite indication as to what contributes to it. DISCUSSIONS The main source of drinking water for both communities were communal faucet. Both areas have established their water reservoir and distribution system but have no water treatment facility. The main sources of drinking water were categorized as Level II. The absence of water treatment facility of communal faucet has made its consumers highly vulnerable to water-borne diseases.Bacteriological analysis revealed that water sources are not suitable for drinking. The total and fecal coliform content of the samples exceed acceptable level. The high content in fecal coliform is an indication that the water sources are contaminated with feces either of human or animal origin. The water sources serve several households as well as grade schools in both areas.

Data on physical analysis revealed that some of the water sources exceed the limit, however is of no immediate concern mainly because, such excess are tolerable and has no health related effect to the consumer.Some water sources exceed the limit of some of the chemical parameters. However, the identified excesses do not cause for immediate concern because they don’t pose a threat to the consumers.



Majority of the residents interviewed from Barangay Bacungan practiced biosand filter

(BSF) as their means of purifying their drinking water. BSF is said to remove 87-99% of microbial contaminants but bacteriological test revealed that water produced from BSF did not pass the PNSDW 2007 standard. On the other hand, a majority of the interviewed residents from Barangay Maoyon do not practice any form of water purification before consuming their water which make them highly vulnerable to water-borne diseases including parasitism.Data from year 2011 and 2012 on gastrointestinal disorders from Barangay Bacungan and diarrhea from Barangay Maoyon were considered in the determination on the prevalence of water-borne diseases. The researcher acknowledges the inaccuracy of these data in relation to the use of different nomenclature but no data are available that could best represent the occurrence of water-borne diseases except gastrointestinal disorder and diarrhea.

It is recommended that alternatives for home-based water treatment be introduced to residents of Barangay Maoyon to avoid possible outbreak of water-borne diseases. It should be noted that the disinfection process does not guarantee total freedom from water-borne diseases, home management of drinking water is equally important to prevent recontamination of “processed” water. Furthermore, a combination of home-based water treatment procedure is recommended to effectively remove contaminants. CONCLUSION Residents of Brgy. Bacungan and Maoyon are depending their drinking water from communal faucet. Eventhough, it can be considered as an “improved” water source, they are still vulnerable to water-borne diseases as revealed by the microbial analysis showing that their water sources are high in fecal coliform.The data on physical and chemical analysis are generally negligible because they do not pose a health risk. However, they are essential for the treatment of water to make it acceptable for human consumption. Residents of Barangay Bacungan and Maoyon are vulnerable to waterborne diseases. Residents of Brgy. Bacungan despite using biosand filter (BSF), laboratory test showed that water produced from BSF are positive of fecal coliform. This can be attributed to poor management of drinking water at home. For residents of Brgy. Maoyon, they should be taught the different alternatives of home-based purification, their non-practice of purifying water making them highly vulnerable to waterborne diseases.

The data on water-borne diseases are inconclusive because there was no actual laboratory exam done, furthermore, they cannot be linked to ingestion of contaminated water. RECOMMENDATIONS As a short term and immediate solution, residents of Brgy. Bacungan and Maoyon should be taught on the proper home management of drinking water. The vulnerability of the residents must be reduced to prevent the possibility of waterborne diseases-related outbreak. For the long term solution, both barangays should be assisted in the development of a barangay-wide water treatment facility utilizing indigenous resources, and requires minimal maintenance and does not require technical people to manage. On the other hand, with the help of the Puerto Princesa Water District, both barangays can ask assistance on how they can effectively improve their established water distribution system by integrating a water treatment facility.



The institutionalization of drinking water quality testing in areas where Level I & II water

sources are the main supplier of drinking water can be further explored. Several government agencies can be tapped for this program such as PCSD, DOST, PHO, and PPCWD.Health center workers in these areas may also include health education focusing on the proper management of drinking water at home. Local government unit may want to prioritize the infrastructure on drinking water in the far-flung rural barangays. REFERENCES Department of Social Welfare and Development (05 June 2013). DSWD database reveals poor households in

MiMaRoPa. Retrieved from http://www.fo4b.dswd.gov.ph/2013/06/dswd-database-reveals-poor-households-in-mimaropa/

National Economic Development Authority (2010). The Philippine Water Supply Sector Roadmap (2nd Ed.). (NEDA)12 Saint Josemaria Escriva Drive, Ortigas Center. Pasig City, Philippines Retrieved from www.neda.gov.ph

Philippine National Standards for Drinking Water 2007, Department of Health Administrative Order No 2007-0012 s. 2007, (Phils.). Retrieved from www.doh.gov.ph

World Health Organization.(2011).Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality, (4th Ed.). Geneva, Switzerland. Retrieved from whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2011/9789241548151_eng.pdf

World Health Organization. (2012).Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage and Cholera: 6th World Water Forum 2012, Marseille, France. Retrieved from www.who.int/household_water/.../2012WorldWaterForumReport.pdf

World Health Organization, (2013). Progress on Sanitation and Drinking Water, 2013 Update. Retrieved fromhttp://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/en/index.html

Acronyms cfu colony-forming unit FTU formazin turbidity unit HPC Heterotrophic plate count Mg/L milligrams/Liter MPN multiple probable number MTFT multiple tube fermentation

technique PNSDW 2007 Philippine National Standard

for Drinking Water 2007 ppt parts per trillion uS- micro Siemens TCU total color unit WHO World Health Organization


http://www.fo4b.dswd.gov.ph/2013/06/dswd-database-reveals-poor-households-in-mimaropa/

http://www.fo4b.dswd.gov.ph/2013/06/dswd-database-reveals-poor-households-in-mimaropa/

http://www.neda.gov.ph/

http://www.doh.gov.ph/

http://www.who.int/household_water/.../2012WorldWaterForumReport.pdf

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/en/index.html

Dela Peňa, Hermenegildo P., M.D. Pido, J.S. Sespeñe. 2015. Is Palawan’s Inner Malampaya Sound Overfished? Implications from Recent Fieldwork.

IS PALAWAN’S INNER MALAMPAYA SOUND OVERFISHED? IMPLICATIONS FROM RECENT FIELDWORK

Hermenegildo P. Dela Peňa*, Michael D. Pidoand Jeter S. Sespeñe

Palawan State University Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines

[email protected] +63 48 4330585/ +63 998 5101227

ABSTRACT This study investigates the critical condition of Inner Malampaya Sound (IMS), a 165-km2stretch of estuary ecosystem located in the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS), Palawan Province, Philippines. The IMS is composed of eight contiguous barangays with varying socio-demographic characteristics and geographic attributes. Within its catchment are 18 rivers and streams as well as 12 springs and waterfalls. Aside from its rich fishery resources, the MSPLSis home to Irrawaddy dolphins (Orcaella brevirostris), at least 10 ecologically important migratory species, and a microendemic clam locally known as “Kabitsen.” The methods used in this study included key informant interviews, household interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations to assess the status of its inshore fisheries. Results indicate that about 36% or 2,749 households in the IMS contiguous barangay are fishers. This translates to a fishing density of about 16.7 fishers/km2, which is higher than the overfished Lingayen Gulf of 12.5 fishers/km2. Majority of the fishers indicate that their catch rates have declined through the years. At least eight fishing gears are operating in the IMS which include gill nets (lambat) for fish or shrimp, traps (bubo) for crab or fish, and hook and line. At least 23 commercial fish species are caught in the IMS, of which 10 are also ecologically important. Given the nutrients that are leached from agriculture and the increasing numbers of resource users, the IMS fisheries is more vulnerable to resource depletion. Thus, barangay conservation areas (BCAs) are proposed to address environmental and fishing problems. Keywords: inshore fisheries, estuary ecosystem, migratory species

60


INTRODUCTION

The Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS) has a unique ecosystem that serves as habitat for a number of ecologically important and endangered species. This protected area (PA) in the province of Palawan was proclaimed under Proclamation No. 342 dated July 12, 2000. The MSPLS covers 22 barangays, 18 of which are within the municipal jurisdiction of Taytay and 4 are located in the municipality of San Vicente. Malampaya Sound is an ecosystem of national importance, primarily as a source of fish (Pilien and Walpole 2003). It is a watershed and a fishing ground (DENR, n.d.). This natural embayment of about 245 km2 is characterized by an Outer Sound of coral reefs and seagrass beds and an Inner Sound distinguished by muddy substrates, mangrove forests, rivers and streams (Dela Peňa et al. 2014).

The Inner Malampaya Sound (IMS) occupies two-thirds of the Sound’s embayment, which is estimated at 165 km2 with an average depth of about 10 meters at mean lower low water. It is an estuary surrounded with mangrove forest of about 2,547 ha with a potential fisheries productivity of 2,750 metric tons annually (PSU-CSPG 2015). It has eight contiguous barangays, five of which are in the northeast seaboard and three in the southwest seaboard. Within its catchment are 18 rivers and streams, of which the Abongan River, located southeast of the Inner Sound, is the longest at about 20 km in length. Accordingly, it has 12 springs and waterfalls, of which the “Seven Stages Falls” in Alacalian and the “Mt. Capoas Falls” in Banbanan were suggested as perfect sites for ecotourism (PSU-CSPG 2015). With its long history of resource use conflicts that forced the government to declare closed seasons in the 1970s and in 1986-1991, this paper appraises current efforts undertaken by stakeholders to achieve sustainable management particularly on fisheries in the IMS estuary. Specifically, it aimed to determine the number of fishing households; fishing gears used, and perceived changes in abundance of indicator species, among others. METHODOLOGY

The globally accepted ecosystem approach as described by Staples et al. (2014) was used in this study.Focus group discussion (FGD) and key informant interview (KII) are the primary methods used in data gathering. The fieldworks were conducted from March 22-28 and April 7-10, 2015. There were 16 key informants and 54 FGD participants. In addition, data from structured interviews of a random sample of 61 self-reporting fishing households were also used to measure the communityresidents’ over-all perception of the IMS ecosystem services. Secondary data were used to supplement FGD results. Initial findings were presented and enriched in a stakeholders’ validation workshop on August 26, 2015 at Palawan State University (PSU) Taytay Campus. Location and land area of the eight IMS barangays is presented inFigure 1.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

On the average, about 36% of IMS 7,735 total households are fishers. Nearly three-fourths (73%) of the fishing households are living in the northeast seaboard. About 95% of New Guinlo households are fishers. Among the IMS contiguous barangays, Abongan and Bato have the lowest number of fishing households at 8% and 15%, respectively (Table 1).


BarangayLand Area by MSPLS (ha)1 %

Northeast SeaboardPancol 7,591.13 100Poblacion, urban 5,213.55 66Old Guinlo 1,054.77 100New Guinlo, urban 2,309.55 100Bato 5,254.31 89Southwest SeaboardAbongan 9,539.29 100Alacalian 3,228.38 100Banbanan 5,858.30 100Total 40,049.281 Land area in the barangay covered by the MSPLS


Figure 1. Location of the eight Inner Malampaya Sound contiguous barangays and its land area covered by the MSPLS in the Municipality of Taytay, Province of Palawan, 2015 Table 1. Estimated number of fishing households in the Inner Malampaya Sound contiguous barangays, Municipality of Taytay, Province of Palawan, 2015

Barangay Total Households Fishing Households % Northeast Seaboard Pancol 555 333 60 Poblacion1 2,500 500 20 Old Guinlo 265 238 90 New Guinlo 795 755 95 Bato 1,213 180 15 Sub-total 5,328 2,006 Southwest Seaboard Abongan 1,200 96 8 Alacalian 769 384 50 Banbanan 438 263 60 Sub-total 2,407 743

Total 7,735 2,749 Mean 36

1Total fishing households in Poblacion is estimated at 70%, however, those who fished in Malampaya Sound is placed at only 20%. The remaining 50% is fishing in the municipal waters adjacent to the Sulu Sea.

Considering every fishing household has at least one fisher and sharing an area of

only 165 km2, the IMS fishing density is about 16.7 fishers/km2. This is critically higher than the overfished Lingayen Gulf at 12.5 fishers/km2 as reported by McManus and Thia-Eng (1990).



There are reportedly eight types of major fishing gears used in the IMS area. The top

three are gillnets (lambat) for fish or shrimp, traps (bubo) for fish or crab, and hook and line (kawil). As reported, most gillnets used are not compliant with the mesh size regulation. Aside from these common gears is an array of fishing devices having negative impacts on species, namely: (1) baklad (fish corral) in Abongan, Alacalian, and New Guinlo; (2) baring (beach seine) in Banbanan; (3) bukatot (stationary lift net with light attraction device) in Alacalian; and (4) sud-sud (fine-mesh net) in Bato.While bukatots are reportedly phasing down, baklads are sprouting in Alacalian and New Guinlo. Based on the fishing household survey (n = 61), high impact gears such as baklad and bukatot have been increasing at 18% and 3%, respectively in the past three years. On the same period, gillnets also increased by about 20%. Majority of stakeholders are concerned over the long-term use of these gears vis-à-vis resource sustainability.

Using the change indicators of marine resources indicated below, majority of FGD fisher participants perceived that in comparison to three years ago, fish including Sabalo and blue crab abundance decreased. The size of fish caught in the Inner Sound is also getting smaller. However, they are divided as to the direction of change in shrimp and the Irrawaddy dolphin abundance (Table 2). Table 2. Perceived changes in major indicator species in the Inner Malampaya Sound contiguous barangays, Municipality of Taytay, Province of Palawan, 2015

Indicator of Change Number of Barangays, N = 8

Better in 2015 Better Three Years Ago No Change

1. Fish abundance 1 5 2 2. Size of fish caught is bigger in . . . 7 1 3. Sabalo (Chanos chanos) abundance 8 4. Blue crab abundance 7 1 5. Shrimp abundance 4 4 6. Irrawaddy dolphin abundance 4 1 3

When juvenile or immature fish are caught before they reproduce as presented in Table 2, then the IMS is at risk of growth overfishing (Pauly 1990 as cited by DENR et al. 2001). There is reportedly a gradual disappearance of Sabalo, the mother milkfish (Chanos chanos) in recent years.Twenty-three commercial fish species are reportedly caught in the IMS, of which ten are also ecologically important. The 10 migratory species are composed of 7 amphidromous, 2 anadromous, and 1 catadromous fish (Table 3).

The presence or absence of these migratory species is an indicator of the ecosystem’s health. Although the IMS is not part of the scope of Fisheries Administrative Order (FAO) No. 217, s. 2001 that pertains to “Obstruction to Defined Migration Paths” of amphidromous, catadromous, and anadromous species; it is a very critical estuary ecosystem to be preserved by the government as a primary stakeholder. In addition, a microendemic clam locally known as “Kabitsen,” present in Abongan and Alacalian, needs immediate conservation.



Table 3. Ecologically important migratory species in the Inner Malampaya Sound, Municipality of Taytay, Province of Palawan, 2015

Local Name Common Name Scientific Name1 Type of Migration

AMP ANA CAT

1. Asohos Silver sillago Sillago sihama √

2. Kanduli Sea catfish Arius sp. √

3. Kitang Spotted scat Scatophagus argus √

4. Salay-ginto Yellowstripe scad Selaroides leptoplepis √

5. Salay-salay Shrimp scad Alepes djedaba √

6. Sapsap Common ponyfish Leiognathus equulus √

7. Talakitok Malabar trevally Carangoides malabaricus √

8. Dilis Anchovy Stolephorus sp. √

9. Kabasi Chacunda gizzard shad Anodontostoma chacunda √

10. Banak Grey mullet Mugil cephalus √

1 FishBase.org AMP – Amphidromous are species that migrates from fresh to saltwater and vice versa as part of their life cycle ANA – Anadromous are saltwater species but spawn or lay eggs in freshwater CAT – Catadromous are freshwater species but spawn or lay eggs in saltwater CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Based on the results, Inner Malampaya Sound is still abundant in biodiversity. Its primary productivity is supported mainly by its ‘threatened’ mangrove ecosystem, which could hardly meet extractive activities by too many fishers and gears. The reported catch of juveniles and the gradual disappearance of Sabalo are indicators of overfishing. The IMS water quality is also affected by agricultural pollution. There is seemingly lack of either knowledge in resource management and conservation or outright disregard of existing conservation laws as people built houses along rivers and streams as well as permanent structures in foreshore areas.

Due to its unique geographic attributes, IMS fishers are more vulnerable to resource depletion. As such, there is a need to give the IMS area top priority in addressing environmental and fishing problems in Malampaya Sound. Thus, Barangay Conservation Areas (BCAs) in the IMS are herein proposed. The BCAs shall refer to important ecosystems that support biodiversity such as rivers and streams, springs and waterfalls, watersheds, forests, and mangroves and wetlands that must be protected. These shall be declared as such through a municipal ordinance.



REFERENCES Dela Peňa, H.P., J.S. Sespeňe and M.D. Pido. 2014. Revisiting Malampaya Sound in Palawan as the

Philippines’ fish bowl: interventions for sustainable management. BIMP-EAGA Journal for Sustainable Tourism Development, 2014 Special Issue 4(1): 68-79.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), DA-BFAR, and DILG. 2001. Philippine coastal management guidebook no. 6: managing municipal fisheries. Coastal Resource Management Project of the DENR, Cebu City, Philippines.

Froese, R. and D. Pauly (eds.). 2015. FishBase. World Wide Web electronic publication. www.fishbase.org, version (10/2015).

McManus, L.T. and C. Thia-Eng, (eds.). 1990. The coastal environmental profile of Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. International Center for Living Aquatic Resources Management (now The WorldFish Center). https://books.google.com.ph/books? Accessed August 12, 2015.

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff (PCSDS). 2006. ECAN zones management framework and guidelines for Taytay Municipality. Palawan Council for Sustainable Development, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines.

Palawan State University – Center for Strategic Policy and Governance (PSU-CSPG). 2015. Rapid rural assessment of the barangays within the Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape in the Municipality of Taytay, Palawan. Draft report.

Pilien J. and P. Walpole. 2003. Moving from open access extraction to new participatory levels of accountable management Malampaya Sound, Palawan, the Philippines. In: Natural resource conflict management case studies: an analysis of power, participation and protected areas; Castro, A.P and E. Nielsen (eds.), FAO, Rome, Italy.

Staples, D., R. Brainard, S. Capezzuoli, S. Funge-Smith, C. Grose, A. Heenan, R. Hermes, P. Maurin, M. Moews, C. O’Brien and R. Pomeroy. 2014. Essential EAFM. Ecosystem approach to fisheries management training course. Bay of Bengal large marine ecosystem (BOBLME) project, FAO and US-Coral Triangle Initiative, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.


Dimalibot, Judeline C., and GAIA South, Inc. 2015.Survey and Assessment of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA.

SURVEY AND ASSESSMENT OF TERRESTRIAL VERTEBRATES AT THE GOTOK LIMESTONE QUARRY MPSA

Judeline Concepcion-Dimalibot1* and GAIA South, Inc.2

1Animal Biology Division, IBS, CAS, UP Los Banos

2Makati City, Philippines

ABSTRACT

The survey of terrestrial vertebrates at the Gotok Limstone Quarry was conducted in three sampling sites, two of which were located inside the MPSA and one in the adjacent farm/agroforest, including 4 caves within the area. Standard field techniques such as transect walks, mist netting, live trapping and herping were employed for the assessment of terrestrial vertebrates. 38 species of birds, 11 mammals, 9 herps (6 amphibians, 3 reptiles) were recorded from the three sites while 5 species of bats and 5 species of herps were recorded from the 4 caves. 58% of the birds are residents, 39% are endemic and 3% are migratory; one species, Anthracoceros marchei is Vulnerable, two are Near Threatened while most are of Least Concern (89%). One species is classified as ‘Not Recognized’ by the IUCN. All of the mammals are common, abundant and widespread, 2 species are endemic to Palawan, Tupaia palawanensis and Sundasciurus steeri. Except for Macaca fascicularis which is classified as Near Threatened, majority (91%) of the species are of Least Concern. 56% of the herps are endemic to Palawan, 33% are indigenous and 11% or one species, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus is introduced and invasive. 78% of the herps are of Least Concern while 11% are Near Threatened and 11% Data Deficient. Limestone mining operations affect the species diversity and richness of terrestrial vertebrates within and around the MPSA. Monitoring should be done periodically to control and manage detrimental effects to wildlife both flora and fauna.

Keywords: terrestrial vertebrates, endemic, vulnerable, near threatened, invasive, Gotok Limestone Quarry


Dimalibot, Judeline C., and GAIA South, Inc. 2015. Survey and Assessment of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA.

INTRODUCTION The Rio Tuba Nickel Mining Corporation through Gaia South, Inc. commissioned a

team to survey terrestrial vertebrates in the areas within the vicinity and areas adjacent to the MPSA which was granted for the operations of the Gotok Limestone Quarry. The original plan was to survey the caves which were mapped and surveyed previously (a few years before this present survey) within the area which was to be mined for limestone. Five caves were identified, these are; Maginhawa, Sanang Sanang 1 and 2, Inogon and Lubao.

The objective of the present survey is to identify and quantify the terrestrial vertebrates present in the caves and the vegetated areas surrounding the Gotok Limestone Quarry in order to monitor the effects of the limestone mining activities to terrestrial vertebrates. It is the aim of the survey to know the percentage of endemic and endangered fauna within the area.

METHODOLOGY

The methodology for the assessment of terrestrial vertebrates followed that of Sutherland (2000) with some modifications. Fauna assessment was conducted within the MPSA and inside the site granted the tree-cutting permit. Transect walks were conducted from south to north. The first transect was within the MPSA but outside the area with the tree cutting permit at the forest fringe. At the left side of the trail is a hill where the dominant vegetation are secondary growth tress with some dipterocarps, on the right side is the agricultural farm project of the RTNMC. Two caves are located in the hill, Maginhawa at the higher elevation and Inugong which is located lower and nearer the trail at the eastern side. The second transect is located in the trail between two hills, the left side (western) of which is where quarrying is being conducted. The vegetation are mostly wild gabi or yam, vines with some trees at the fringes of the quarry site. The third transect is located at the westernmost periphery of the MPSA at the base of the hill where quarrying operations are ongoing. The weather during the survey was mostly clear, sunny and hot. Herping was done in Transect 1 and in the creek (with underground outlet) at the western side of the Limestone Quarry and in the Inugong and Maginhawa caves. Birds

Direct observations while doing the transect walk coupled with mist netting were employed for birds. Transect walks were conducted from 6:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM through established transects. Point counts were done to observe the birds and count individuals of each species, by stopping every 100 meters for 10 minutes. Mist nets used for volant mammals were also used for birds. Identification, nomenclature, classification and conservation status were determined based on Kennedy et al., (2000), and Rosell (2010). Mammals

Mist nets were located and positioned in 3 strategic points of the sampling sites (e.g., flyways, across established trails and watercourse, forest edges, openings and forest interior). The nets were set at 1600H. Net watching for insectivores was done at 1800H to 2000H. The nets are checked early in the morning at 0600H. Bats (birds too, if present) were retrieved from the nets and identified before being set free. Live trapping, tracks and sign identification (e.g. droppings, wallowing areas, dens) and direct sighting techniques were used for terrestrial and arboreal (but non-volant) species. Live traps were baited with roasted coconut laced with peanut butter to catch small non-volant mammals. Trap lines were established



near the vicinity of mist nets and were checked for any capture early in the morning of the next day. Identification, nomenclature, classification and conservation status were determined using Heaney et al., (1998). Herps (Reptiles and Amphibians)

The Visual Encounter Survey was used in the inventory of herps while passing through established transect lines. Frogging was done in the only water body (creek ) which was located at the western side outside the area with the tree-cutting permit,. Visual and auditory cues in microhabitats in the sampling sites were searched. Herps observed in the caves were also collected for identification. Identification, nomenclature, classification and conservation status were determined based on Brown and Alcala (1978, 1980). RESULTS Birds

Thirty eight species of birds were observed and recorded from the three transects; 29 from Transect 1, 16 from Transect 2 and 18 from Transect 3 (Table 2). Transect 1 had more species because the area was outside the area of operations of the quarry and the vegetation was mostly secondary growth forest on the hilly part and agricultural on the right side. The middle transect, Transect 2 which had the lowest number of species was the most disturbed. The vegetation at the side of the hill where quarrying is done is mostly wild and cultivated gabi (yam), some bananas, vines and intermittent trees. The third transect is a combination of secondary forest growth, coconut trees and vegetation characteristic of a forest over limestone.

Five species are common to all the sites, these are; Arachnotera longirostra (Little Spiderhunter), Collocalia troglodytes (Pygmy Swiftlet), Copsychus niger (White-vented Shama), Dicrurus leucophaeus (Ashy Drongo), and Orthotomus sericeus (Rufous-tailed Tailorbird). These birds are commonly seen in open spaces, grasslands, and in lowland forests.

Most of the species were residents (58%), 39% are endemic while only 3% species are migratory. As to their conservation status, 89% are of Least Concern, 5% are Near Threatened and others are Vulnerable (2.63%) and one species is under the Not Recognized category by the IUCN (2.63%). The Palawan Hornbill, Anthracoceros marchei, is under the Vulnerable category. The species is easily affected by environmental changes and is considered uncommon in Palawan where the population has been found to be dwindling because of the destruction of its habitat. Despite the fact that there are very few canopy species left in the area, three individuals were observed flying and perching in the tallest trees within the quarry area and on the hill/mountain where the Maginhawa and Inugon Caves are located.

Two species, Pericrocotus igneuss (Fiery Minivet) and Stachrys hypogrammica (Striped Babbler) are given the Near Threatened category because of the decrease in population ofthese species caused by forest clearing The majority of the species are of Least Concern. One endemic species, Alophoixus frater (Palawan bulbul) has not been given any conservation category maybe because studies on the species’ population, biology and ecology are inadequate.

There were 109 bird individuals recorded in Transect 1 followed by Transect 2 (51) and Transect 3 (50) respectively. Species diversity in all the survey sites was moderate with the highest value computed in Transect 1 (2.832), followed by Transect 3 (2.666) and 2 (2.527).



Species richness was high (5.98) in Transect 1 while it is moderate in the two other transects. Evenness was moderate in both Transects 2 and 3 but very low in Transect 1. Species diversity, richness and abundance were highest in Transect 1. This may be because the vegetation was lusher in this site and is more diverse (grassland, secondary forest and agricultural crops and fruit trees). Some endemic species are shown in Figure 1.

Anthracoceros marcheiChloropsispalawanensis Copsychus niger Colocalia troglodytes

Alophoixus frater Dicaeum pygmaeum Aethopyga shelleyi Prionochilus platen (imm)

Figure 1. Some endemic birds observed from the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA.

Survey and Assessment of Terrestrial Vertebrates at the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA Mammals

Seven species of volant mammals, were caught through mist-netting. This is composed of four species of fruit-eating bats (frugivores); Eonycteris spelaea, Macroglossus minimus, Cynopterus brachyotis and Rousettus amplexicaudatus which are commonly seen in agricultural areas with fruit trees and banana plantations, and three insectivorous species; Hipposideros diadema, Rhinolophus virgo and Megaderma spasma.

Three species of non-volant mammals were observed and recorded along the transects; Tupia palawanensis (Palawan Tree Shrew), Macaca fascicularis (Long-tailed Macaques) and Sundasciurus steeri (Southern Palawan Tree Squirrel). The live traps were unsuccessful in catching any rodents. This could be an indication that food availability for this taxa is scant or nil in these sites.

A total of five species of bats were caught from the 4 caves through mist netting; 2 frugivores (Eonycteris speleae and Cynopterus brachyotis) and 3 insectivores (Hipposideros diadema, Emballonura allecto and Megaderma spasma).



Three of the caves, Maginhawa, Inugon and Sanangsanang 2 had 2 species of bats each while only one species was caught in Sanangsanang 1. In Maginhawa one species of frugivore, Eonycteris spelaea and one insectivore, Hipposideros diadema were caught in the mist nets, as is in Inugon which had Cynopterus brachyotis (frugivore), and Emballonura alecto (insectivore). Two species of insectivores were caught in Sanangsanang 2 (Emballonura alecto and Megaderma spasma) and one in Sanangsanang 1 (Emballonura alecto).

All three non-volant species observed and recorded are tree and forest dwellers specially Macaca fascicularis. The twoother species, Tupaia palawanensis and Sundasciurus steeri are endemic to Palawan.All of the species of mammals observed during this survey are common, abundant and widespread. Majority of the mammalian species are considered as species of Least Concern except for Macaca fascicularis which is under the Near Threatened category because of the destruction of its habitat and over extraction through hunting. It is also under CITES II which means that trading of this species is regulated (maybe restricted). Comparison of diversity indices for mammalian species observed from three transects showed that species diversity and richness are very low in all the sites. Species diversity is also very low in all the caves assessed.Some of the mammalian species observed are shown in Figure 2.

Megaderma spasma Cynopterus brachyotis Macaca fascicularis Hipposideros diadema

Figure 2. Mammalian species caught through mist netting. Herps

Six species of amphibians were recorded from the four sites, 5 frogs, and the lone species of toad present in Palawan, Ingerophrynus phillipinicus (Philippine Toad). One species of frog, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus is an introduced and invasive species. There were only 3 species of reptiles recorded from the survey sites, 2 snakes and 1 lizard. Inugon Cave harbors the most number of species of herps at 5, followed by Transect 1 and the Creek with 4 and Maginhawa Cave with only 2 species. Five of the species of herps observed and recorded during the survey are endemic to Palawan, 3 are indigenous and one species is introduced. Seven of the species are of Least Concern while two are Near Threatened.

A species of concern is the introduced species, Hoplobatrachus rugulosus which is invasive and may cause the disappearance of endemic and indigenous species in the area because it is bigger and larger. The most number of individuals were recorded from the Creek with 106 while the lowest number was recorded in Maginhawa Cave with only 2 individuals, both reptiles, were recorded. Species diversity is very low in Maginhawa Cave and low in all the other sites.



Species richness is very low in Transect 1 and in the Creek while it is low in both caves. Figure 3 shows the species of herps observed and recorded from the survey sites.

Coelognathus erythrurus Lyperosaurus palawanensis Hoplobatrachus rugulosus

Ingerophrynus philippinicus Chaperina fusca Hylarana nicobarensis

Figure 3. Amphibians and reptiles recorded from the Gotok Limestone Quarry MPSA. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The areas within and around the vicinity of the MPSA for the Gotok Limestone Quarry harbors mostly residents and endemic species of birds, mammals and herps. Quarrying activities which include felling of trees and scraping off of ground vegetation caused the destruction of the habitats of terrestrial vertebrates. Removing the trees and the entire vegetation will mean the destruction of roosting and feeding sites which will eventually result to the gradual loss and/or disappearance of endemic species. The felling of trees and the clearing of vegetation will hinder the mobility of wildlife species specially tree and ground dwellers, fragmentation of habitats will occur.As for ground dwellers, the animals cannot move from one area to another without cover of vegetation,and will be in danger of desiccation, e.g., frogs and toads. Eventually, loss of access will result to loss of species. In the long run, alien or invasive species will proliferate and will prevail over native and endemics.

It is recommended that a buffer area be established around the quarry site which should be planted with the original species of vegetation present in the area before quarrying activities began after 2005. Measures should be done to eradicate or remove the invasive species of frog from Gotok because its presence is detrimental to the endemics and native species present in the site.Periodic or seasonal monitoring by an MMT should be conducted so as to be able to implement measures to abate the detrimental effects of quarrying and its consequences to terrestrial fauna particularly those which are endemic to Palawan.



REFERENCES Alcala, Angel C., and Brown, Walter C. 1998. Philippine Amphibians: An illustrated field guide. Bookmark,

Makati City. Heaney, Lawrence R. 1998. Issue 88 of Fieldiana: Zoology, A synopsis of the mammalian fauna of the

Philippine Islands. Field Museum of Natural History. Kennedy, Robert S., Gonzales P.C., Dickinson, E.C., Miranda, H.C. Jr., and Fisher, T.H.2000. A guide to the

birds of the Philippines. Oxford University Press, New York. Sutherland, William J. 2000. The conservation handbook: Research, Policy and Management. John Wiley and

Sons. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Ver. 2013.2. Laminated Field Guide Rosell, Neon Thomas II B. 2010. A Pocket Guide to Philippine Birds. The Nurturing Trees, Inc.


Dolorosa, Roger G., and Matillano J. A. 2015. Changes in coral cover and reef associated fauna in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

CHANGES IN CORAL COVER AND REEF ASSOCIATED FAUNA IN RASA

ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, NARRA, PALAWAN

Roger G. Dolorosa and Jaysee A. Matillano*

College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Western Philippines University

Puerto Princesa Campus Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan

*Presenting author Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs) in the Philippines has proliferated in the past decade yet only around 20-25% of these are successfully managed. This study presents the changes in coral reef conditions in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan, almost 10 years after it has been declared as Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS) through Presidential Proclamation 1000 series of 2006. Hard coral cover increased by 42% while soft coral cover declined by 83% between 2005 and 2015. The estimated population of the threatened reef gastropod Tectus niloticus has almost doubled in the last five years. Recent estimate of fish biomass along the reef crest was very high and comparable with the reported fish biomass in other reefs of Palawan. The current state of the corals and reef associated fauna could be associated with the concerted efforts of the local government unit and other institutions in promoting sustainable fisheries within RIWS. Keywords: fish biomass, Narra, Palawan, Rasa Island, reef assessment, Tectus niloticus



Dolorosa, Roger G., and J.A. Matillano 2015. Changes in coral cover and reef associated fauna in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

INTRODUCTION

Since 1998, the conservation programs of the Katala Foundation Incorporated (KFI) have successfully protected and significantly increased the populations of the critically threatened Philippine Cockatoo Cacatua haematuropygia in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan. Such have led to the declaration of Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS) in 2006 through Presidential Proclamation 1000 (Widmann et al. 2010). However, unlike the well studied terrestrial component of RIWS, little is known about the marine resources of the island. This study aimed to assess the current condition of coral reefs of RIWS nearly 10 years after having been declared a protected site. Specifically, this study evaluated the changes in coral cover between 2005 and 2015; abundance of Tectus niloticus between 2010 and 2015; and the current fish biomass. METHODOLOGY

The corals were surveyed using Reef Check (Hodgson et al. 2006). Population of trochus was estimated by mark-recapture method. The fish visual census (English et al. 1997) was carried out to record fish abundance and estimate of biomass. The assessment was conducted on May 4-8, 2015.


Between 2005 and 2015, there was an increasing trend in hard coral cover and a declining trend in soft coral. This year’s average hard coral cover was generally high (very good: 55.38±11.71%) in all sites, while soft corals were nearly absent in all sites. The current percent coral cover in RIWS is comparable with other areas in Palawan (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Percent coral cover (hard and soft corals) in RIWS between 2005 and 2015 compared with other areas in Palawan. Areas with hard coral covers above the blue line are categorized very good.


Dolorosa, Roger G., and J.A. Matillano 2015. Changes in coral cover and reef associated fauna in Rasa Island

Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

The estimated population of Tectus niloticus had nearly doubled in five years time (Figure 2). Without fishing, the population of this threatened reef gastropod is expected to increase overtime. Recovery rate of trochus population is generally slow and with complete absence of fishing, it may takes about 20 years to fully restore the lost populations (Nash 1993).

Figure 2. Estimated average (±95%CI) population of Tectus niloticus in RIWS between 2010 and 2015.

The fish biomass in RIWS was generally higher along the reef crest in RIWS and was

comparable with the estimated fish biomass in other parts of Palawan (Figure 3). The low fish biomass on the reef flat could be associated with habitat complexity and possibly more fishing activities on this part of the reef.

Figure 3. Fish biomass relative to hard coral cover in RIWS and in some areas in Palawan.


Dolorosa, Roger G., and J.A. Matillano 2015. Changes in coral cover and reef associated fauna in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS The improvement of coral cover, increasing abundance of T. niloticus and high fish

biomass could be associated with level of protection of Rasa Island after it has been declared a protected area. Continued and strengthened guarding of the area is expected to help the recovery of the coral reef and all other associated fauna. Education campaign and provision of alternative sources of earnings could help reduce fishing pressure. The revival and sustainable utilization of these important aquatic resources is expected to increase the stakeholders’ resilience against food shortage and the changing climate.

REFERENCES English, S., Wilkinson, C. and V. Baker. 1997. Survey Manual for Tropical Marine Resources. Australian

Institute of Marine Science, Townsville, Queensland, Australia. Hodgson, G., Hill, J., Kiene, W., Maun, L., Mihaly, J., Liebeler, J., Shuman, C. and R. Torres. 2006. Reef

Check Instruction Manual: A Guide to Reef Check Coral Reef Monitoring. Reef Check Foundation, Pacific Palisades, California, USA

Nash. W.J. 1993. Trochus. In: Wright A, Hill L (eds) Nearshore Marine Resources of the South Pacific: Information for Fisheries Development and Management. Institute of Pacific Studies, Suva and International Centre for Ocean Development, Canada, pp451-496

Widmann, I.D.L., Schoppe, S. and S. Diaz. 2010. Philippine Cockatoo Conservation Program. In-situ Conservation Project 76.


Garcellano, Rhea C., H.M. Dahse, S.G. Franzblau, Y. Wang, A.M. Aguinaldo. 2015. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation Of Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic and Antituberculosis Activities of Three Apocynaceae Plants Endemic To Palawan.

PRELIMINARY PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING AND EVALUATION OF ANTIPROLIFERATIVE, CYTOTOXIC AND ANTITUBERCULOSIS ACTIVITIES

OF THREE APOCYNACEAE PLANTS ENDEMIC TO PALAWAN

Rhea C. Garcellano1*, Hans-Martin Dahse3, Scott G. Franzblau4, Yuehong Wang4, Alicia M. Aguinaldo1,2

1Graduate School, 2Research Center for Natural and Applied Sciences University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila 1015 3Leibniz-Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology, Hans-

Knöll-Institute, Beutenbergstraße 11a, D-07745 Jena, Germany 4Institute for Tuberculosis Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Illinois at Chicago, 833 South Wood St., Chicago, Illinois, 60612

USA *email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The province of Palawan is home to numerous rare and endemic plants not found in other parts of the Philippines. Apocynaceae is a plant family known to possess alkaloids which exhibit significant biological activities. Alyxia linearis Markgraf, Tabernaemontana ternifolia DJ Middleton, and Wrightia hanleyi Elmer are members of the Apocynaceae family that are endemic to Palawan. There are no published reports on the ethnomedicinal, biological, and phytochemical studies for these endemic plants. The aim of the study is to determine the presence of secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids, from the crude extracts of the leaves, twigs, and roots of A. linearis, T. ternifolia, and W. hanleyi. It also aims to evaluate the anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, and anti-tuberculosis activities of the crude extracts.

Sequential extraction was conducted on the leaves, twigs and roots of each plant, using hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol successively. Dragendorff reagent, K4Fe(CN)6-FeCl3 and vanillin-H2SO4 were used to characterize the semi-crude extracts, and TLC analyses showed the possible presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, and other phenolic compounds. The Cell Titer-Blue1 assay indicated that the root extracts from T. ternifolia displayed strong antiproliferative activity; while the leaf and twig extracts from A. linearis and T. ternifolia, and the twig and root extracts from W. hanleyi showed good cytotoxic activities. The results of MABA assay suggested that the root extracts from T. ternifolia and W. hanleyi possess significant activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv compared with other crude samples. Further studies will be conducted to isolate and identify the constituents present in these endemic plants. Keywords:Alyxia linearis; Tabernaemontana ternifolia; Wrightia hanleyi; Apocynaceae; alkaloids



Garcellano, Rhea C., H.M. Dahse, S.G. Franzblau, Y. Wang, A.M. Aguinaldo. 2015. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation Of Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic and Antituberculosis Activities of Three Apocynaceae Plants Endemic To Palawan.

INTRODUCTION

The province of Palawan is home to numerous rare and endemic plants not found in other parts of the Philippines. It harbors about 3,000 to 3,500 flowering plant species which exhibit about 15-20% endemism (Madulid 2002, Sopsop and Buot 2009). Nonetheless, only a small number of endemic plants in the province have been evaluated with respect to their phytoconstituents and biological properties.

Apocynaceae is a plant family known to possess alkaloids which exhibit significant biological activities, and present structural frameworks and scaffolds which may possibly be utilized for combinatorial synthesis or as basis for rational drug design.

Alyxia linearis Markgraf (synonym: A. rosmarinifolia Merrill & Quisumbing), Tabernaemontana ternifolia DJ Middleton, and Wrightia hanleyi Elmer are members of the Apocynaceae family that are endemic to Palawan (Middleton 2000, 2005, 2005). There are no published reports on the ethnomedicinal, biological, and phytochemical studies for these endemic plants. The aim of the study is to determine the presence of secondary metabolites, particularly alkaloids, from the crude extracts of the leaves, twigs, and roots of A. linearis, T. ternifolia, and W. hanleyi. It also aims to evaluate the anti-proliferative, cytotoxic, and anti-tuberculosis activities of the crude extracts.

METHODOLOGY

Both A. linearis and T. ternifolia were collected from Puerto Princesa City; while W. hanleyi was obtained from Quezon, Palawan. The plants were identified by Elizabeth Gironella of Palawan State University Herbarium, Danilo Tandang of Philippine National Herbarium, and David J. Middleton of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, U.K. Voucher specimens were deposited at the Palawan State University Herbarium. Extraction and Phytochemical Screening:

Sequential extraction was conducted on the leaves, twigs and roots of each plant, using hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol successively. TLC spray reagents such as Dragendorff’s reagent (for alkaloids), K4Fe(CN)6-FeCl3 (for phenols, tannins, and flavonoids), and vanillin-H2SO4 (for higher alcohols, phenols, steroids and essential oils) were used to characterize the crude extracts.

Antituberculosis Assay:

Microplate Alamar Blue assay (MABA) was used for testing Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv susceptibility. For reference purposes, the standard TB drugs rifampin, isoniazid, capreomycin and bedaquiline were used as positive controls. The MIC was defined as the minimum concentration inhibiting fluorescence by 90% relative to bacteria-only controls.

Antiproliferative and Cytotoxicity Assay:

Cell Titer-Blue1 Assay was used for the determination of inhibition of cell proliferation specifically against human umbilical vein endothelial cord (HUVEC), human immortalized myelogenous leukemia (K-562), and human epithelial carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines. The GI50 and CC50 values were defined as the value at the intersection of the dose curve with the 50% line compared to untreated control. For comparison, the chemotherapeutic agents, imatinib and doxorubicin, were used as positive controls.


Garcellano, Rhea C., H.M. Dahse, S.G. Franzblau, Y. Wang, A.M. Aguinaldo. 2015. Preliminary Phytochemical Screening and Evaluation of Antiproliferative, Cytotoxic and Antituberculosis Activities of Three Apocynaceae Plants Endemic To Palawan.


This study initiated a preliminary survey on the major secondary metabolites, in particular alkaloids, present in three endemic Apocynaceae plants in Palawan, namely, A. linearis, T. ternifolia, and W. hanleyi.

TLC analyses of the crude extracts followed by visualization with the three spray reagents showed the possible presence of alkaloids, phenols, tannins, flavonoids, higher alcohols and steroids (Table 1). All crude extracts of all plant parts of A. linearis, except for the Hex leaf extract, showed the probable presence of alkaloids. For T. ternifolia, alkaloids were observed to be potentially present in all the DCM extracts and all root extracts. In the case of W. hanleyi, only the DCM extracts of the leaves and roots, as well as the MeOH root extract, indicated possible presence of alkaloids. In addition, phenolic compounds were generally observed in most of the plant extracts.

Several crude extracts revealed good results in the bioassays. In particular, Cell Titer-Blue1 assay indicated that the DCM (TrD) and MeOH (TrM) root extracts from T. ternifolia displayed strong antiproliferative activity. In addition, the methanol leaf extract (AlM) and DCM twig extract (AtD) from A. linearis, the DCM leaf extract (TlD) and Hex twig extract (TtH) from T. ternifolia, and the DCM twig extract (WtD) and Hex root extract (WrH) from W. hanleyi showed good cytotoxic activities compared with other crude extracts. Likewise, MABA results suggested that the DCM root extracts from T. ternifolia (TrD) and W. hanleyi (WrD) presented significant activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv compared with other crude samples.

Table1. Results of phytochemical screening, anti-proliferative, cytotoxicity, and anti-tuberculosis assays for A. linearis, T. ternifolia, and W. hanleyi.

Crude Sample

Alkaloids Phenolics Flavonoids

Triterpenes

HUVEC GI50 (μg/ml)

40.K-562 GI50 (μg/ml)

HeLa CC50 (μg/ml)50

MABA MIC (μg/ml)

AlD √ √ √ ≥50 ≥50 ≥50 27 AlM √ √ √ 9.4 (± 0.1) 4.8 (± 0.6) 11.3 (± 0.3) >64 AtH √ √ >50 >50 >50 49.8 AtD √ √ √ 16.7 (± 0.4) 8.6 (± 1.3) 4.4 (± 0.4) 26.6 AtM √ √ √ 26.8 (± 1.5) 35.2 (± 2.8) 49.6 (± 0.7) >64 ArH √ √ ≥50 41.8 (± 4.3) ≥50 55.3 ArD √ √ √ 34.3 (± 1.1) 25.1 (± 3.8) 46.7 (± 3.4) 39.6 ArM √ √ √ ≥50 ≥50 ≥50 61.1 TlH √ √ 15.8 (± 1.0) 17.4 (± 0.4) 32.2 (± 0.5) 14.4 TlD √ 7.0 (± 0.5) 19.3 (± 4.2) 38.1 (± 2.8) 60.6 TlM √ √ 19.5 (± 0.6) 17.9 (± 1.3) 22.3 (± 0.2) 52.6 TtH √ √ √ 7.2 (± 1.6) 6.7 (± 0.5) 15.8 (± 1.1) 30.1 TtD √ √ 16.0 (± 0.7) 12.8 (± 1.6) 19.8 (± 1.6) 25.2 TtM √ √ 28.9 (± 3.0) 21.8 (± 1.4) 47.6 (± 1.9) 24.2 TrH √ √ √ >50 >50 >50 56.5 TrD √ √ √ 0.3 (± 0.05) 1.0 (± 0.2) 19.6 (± 2.2) 9.6 TrM √ √ √ 0.2 (± 0.05) 0.9 (± 0.1) 39.2 (± 1.9) 18.1 WlH √ √ >50 ≥50 ≥50 19.0 WlD √ √ √ >50 >50 >50 No data WlM √ √ >50 >50 >50 No data


WtH √ 22.4 (± 0.9) 17.8 (± 0.2) 31.7 (± 0.8) No data WtD √ √ √ 8.2 (± 0.7) 9.7 (± 0.2) 31.7 (± 1.2) No data WtM √ √ >50 >50 >50 No data WrH √ 20.4 (± 0.8) 15.3 (± 1.6) 9.8 (± 0.3) 21.2 WrD √ √ √ 29.3 (± 2.0) >50 42.8 (± 0.5) 7.4 WrM √ √ √ >50 >50 >50 25.5

CONCLUSION

Preliminary phytochemical screening results indicate that these three endemic plants may possess potential biological activities due to the presence of alkaloids and other secondary metabolites. This is supported by the results of both Cell Titer-Blue1 and MABA assays which revealed that some of the crude extracts from these plants displayed good antiproliferative, cytotoxic, and antituberculosis activities. Further experiments are on-going to isolate and identify constituents from A. linearis, T. ternifolia, and W. hanleyi. POLICY IMPLICATION

Although the province of Palawan is blessed with rich endemic flora, very limited studies, if there is any, have been conducted on the medicinal potential of these plants. Present and future outcomes of this study could be utilized by the PCSDS as preliminary data in the wider scale investigation of other endemic plants of the province to evaluate their biological activities. The agency could provide thesis funding for undergraduate and graduate students in the province to conduct phytochemical and biological investigations of plants endemic to Palawan. Proper monitoring, conservation, and propagation of endemic plants with medicinal potential would then be the administrative task of the agency.

REFERENCES Madulid, Domingo A. (2002) A Pictorial Guide to the Noteworthy Plants of Palawan. Palawan Tropical

Forestry Protection Programme. Middleton, David J. (2000). Revision of Alyxia (Apocynaceae). Part 1. Asia and Malesia. Blumea, 45, 66. Middleton, David J. (2005). A new species of Tabernaemontana (Apocynaceae: Rauvolfiodeae) from the Philippines. Harvard Papers in Botany, 9(2): 387-389. Middleton, David J (2005). A Revision of Wrightia (Apocynaceae: Apocynoideae) in Malesia. Harvard Papers

in Botany, 10(2): 161–182. Sopsop, L.B., & Buot, I.E. (2009). The Endangered Plants of Palawan Island, Philippines. Asia Life Sciences,

18(2).


Hara, Jenevieve P., M.P. Cabrestante Jr. and M.F. Martinico-Perez. 2015. Are the Coastal Marine Waters of North Mainland Palawan’s Major Tourism Sites Fit For Recreation?

ARE THE COASTAL MARINE WATERS OF NORTH MAINLAND PALAWAN’S MAJOR TOURISM SITES FIT FOR RECREATION?

Jenevieve P. Hara1, M. P. Cabrestante Jr.1, M. F. G. Martinico-Perez1,2

1Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff, Puerto Princesa City, Phil ippines

2Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to determine the level of pollution in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan mainly San Vicente, Taytay and El Nido. Water quality parameters such as nutrients (nitrates and phosphates), oil and grease, total coliform and physical parameters (pH and temperature) were utilized as pollution indicators. Data from water quality monitoring since 2012 to 2015 were used in this study. Mean concentration for each parameters were computed and compared against the standard set for Class SB and SC or areas classified as recreational and fishery waters by DENR Administrative Order 34, Series of 1990 (DAO 34) for coastal and marine waters. Results of this study showed that there were no remarkable differences in temperature, pH, and nutrient concentrations among stations. However, some stations located in coastal communities in El Nido and Taytay exhibited high nitrates concentration. Most stations have oil and grease concentration within the limits set for Class SC, except to the three stations in Taytay and the station along the pier in El Nido. On the other hand, levels of total coliform in some areas were generally high and above the standard limit set for Class SC or recreational waters. Due to the evidence of anthropogenic input in the monitored coastal areas, it is recommended to identify the possible sources of pollutants and implement proper mitigating measures. Likewise, an integrated information campaign on the importance of the water resources and its other valuable contribution both economically and ecologically, should be implemented to increase the level of awareness of coastal and terrestrial communities.

Keywords: pollution, coastal areas, recreational water, anthropogenic factors, parameters


Hara, J.P., M.P. Cabrestante Jr. and M.F.G.Martinico-Perez. 2015. Are the Coastal Marine Waters of North Mainland Palawan’s Major Tourism Sites Fit for Recreation?

INTRODUCTION Coastal areas and seas have served as the lifeblood of communities near and far for

many years. Despite of its important direct and indirect benefits to humans, coastal resources are being severely degraded (DENR, 2001). One of the major concerns in coastal areas is water pollution, the overall impact of pollution on coastal waters is degradation of ecosystem, lower environmental quality, lower natural production resulting in poor water quality, and reduced amenity and aesthetic value. The main pressures affecting the coastal and marine areas are agriculture and forestry activities, urban and industrial development, oil and gas exploration, population growth and tourism development (World Bank 2005) and the consequent increase in the levels of anthropogenic pollutants cause serious water quality deterioration problems worldwide (Islam and Tanaka, 2004). Among water bodies that are directly or indirectly affected by human development activities are the Palawan Coastline Waters. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the level of pollution as indicated by oil and grease, phosphates, nitrates and bacterial concentrations in the major coastal marine waters of North Mainland Palawan’s major tourism sites. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Area

This study covers the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan namely San Vicente, Taytay andEl Nido (Figure 1). Water quality monitoring was conducted once every quarter from 2012 to 2014, and twice a year in 2015. Sampling Collection

Water sample collection was carried out by grab sampling using a 2.5 L plastic bottle for the physico-chemical analysis, a 1 L wide-mouth bottle for oil and grease, and a 150 mL decontaminated bottle for the bacteriological test. Laboratory Analysis

Water temperature and pH were measured in-situ, using the Hach sension3 electrode. The other parameters were determined and analyzed at the PCSD Environmental Laboratory following the APHA-AWWA (2005) methods as follows: nitrates and phosphates were determined using Hach DR3900 Benchtop VIS Spectrophotometer, oil and grease by Gravimetric method, while the total coliform was analyzed using Multiple Tube Fermentation Technique.

Figure 1. Map showing the sampling locations in the three mainland municipalities of Northern Palawan.



Data Analysis Averages (±sd) of the results were computed and compared with the standards for

coastal and marine waters set by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DAO 34 s. 1990). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Temperature is the most common physical parameter of water quality which influences both the chemical and biological characteristics of water. Highest and lowest mean temperature recorded were 29.2±3.50 and 28.0±2.7°C (Figure 2). Changes in surface water temperature usually depends on the season, geographic location, atmospheric temperature and sampling time (Tait & Dipper 1998).

Figure 2. Mean (±SD) water temperature (°C) in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

The pH is the measured intensity of acidity or alkalinity of water (CWT, 2004). pH mean values were all within the range of 6.5 to 8.5 for Classes SA to SC set by the DENR Administrative Order 34 (1990) (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Mean (±SD) pH values in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

All sampling stations in Taytay and Station 4 in El Nido, which was located along

the pier manifested high O&G concentration (Figure 4) which could be due to discharges of lubricating oils, motor oils, municipal and industrial discharges (Tong et al. 1999). O&G levels recorded in the rest of stations in El Nido and San Vicente were within the standards set for recreational and fishery waters (DAO 34 1990).



Figure 4. Mean (±SD) oil and grease concentrations in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

All sampling stations in Taytay and Station 4 in El Nido, which was located along the pier manifested high O&G concentration (Figure 4) which could be due to discharges of lubricating oils, motor oils, municipal and industrial discharges (Tong et al. 1999). O&G levels recorded in the rest of stations in El Nido and San Vicente were within the standards set for recreational and fishery waters (DAO 34 1990).

There were noticeably high mean levels of nitrates in monitoring station 1 of both El Nido and Taytay (Figure 5). The Philippines has no existing criteria for nitrate level for marine waters, however, results of this study were within the acceptable level of <100 mg/L set by the Australia and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (2000), likewise it is also within the 20 mg/L maximum susceptibility level appropriate for protecting the most sensitive marine animals (Camargo et al. 2005).

Figure 5. Mean (±SD) nitrates concentrations in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

Among the common sources of nitrates and phosphates are wastewater, runoff, and

industrial discharges (Oviatt & Gold 2005; Ismail 2011). Nutrient enrichment can cause excessive growth of phytoplankton in coastal waters and could also result to stratification, oxygen depletion, toxicity, and changes in species composition/ dominance, (Oviat and Gold 2005).



Figure 6. Mean (±SD) phosphates concentrations in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

Total bacterial count can be a reliable indicator of organic pollution (EMB, 2008). All monitoring stations in San Vicente were within the standard set for Class SB (Figure 7), which was considered as areas beneficial for bathing, swimming, skin diving, spawning areas, etc. All stations in Taytay including the Stations 3 and 4 in El Nido were recorded with generally high TC concentration which could be attributed to household waste/ sewage and/or effluent run-off. Thus, with this high concentration, these stations failed to meet the standards for Class SA and SB and were considered unsuitable for recreational purposes.

Figure 7. Mean (±SD) total coliform concentrations in the major coastal areas of three mainland municipalities in Northern Palawan.

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Total coliform counts in some areas were above the recommended limits for bathing and may present potential risk to human health. Due to this, it is recommended to prohibit swimming/ bathing of locals and tourists to avoid or minimize the ill effects of coliform infection. Although nutrient concentrations did not show remarkable differences and in some cases were within reasonable limits, there was however evidence of anthropogenic input. Thus, it is recommended to identify the possible sources of pollutants and implement proper mitigating measures to minimize or control the nutrient enrichment in the areas; discharging of waste water directly to the coastal areas must likewise be mitigated, treatment of wastewater prior to discharge must be considered. Essentially, in order to protect the coastal water resources, the local government must properly implement the Municipal



Comprehensive Land and Water Use Plan (CLUP) and also the Environmental Impact Assessment prior to the establishment of projects within the coastal areas. Environmental monitoring must be properly and strictly applied including the conduct of regular water quality monitoring. Likewise, an integrated information campaign on the importance of the water resources and its other valuable contribution both economically and ecologically, should be implemented to raise the level of awareness of coastal communities.

REFERENCES APHA-AWWA, 2005. American Public Health Association, American Water Works association and Water

Environment Federation. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.. 21st Ed ed. Washington D.C.: American Public Health Association.

Camargo, J. A., Alvaro, A. & Salamanca, A., 2005. Nitrate toxicity to aquatic animals: a review with new data. Elsevier, Volume Chemosphere 58 (2005) 1255–1267.

Clean Water Team (CWT) 2004. pH Fact Sheet, FS-3.1.4.0(pH). in: The Clean Water Team Guidance Compendium for Watershed Monitoring and Assessment, Version 2.0. Division of Water Quality, California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Sacramento, CA.”

Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 1990. DENR Administrative Order No. 34: Revised Water Usage And Classification/Water Quality Criteria.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and Department of Agriculure. 2001. Philippine Coastal Management Guidebook No1. Coastal Management Orientation and Overview. Coastal Resource Management Project of the Department Environment and Natural Resources, Cebu City, Philippines, 58p.

Durmishi1 B. H., Murtezan I., Shabani A., Jusufi S., Fejzuli X., Kostovska M. and S. Abduli. 2008. The physical, physical-chemical and chemical parameters determination of river water Shkumbini (Pena) (part A).

Eaton, A. D., Clesceri, L. S., Rice, E. W. & Greenberg, A. E., 2005. Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater. 21st ed. Washington, DC 20001-3710: American Public Health Asscociation, American Water Works Association and Water Environment Federation.

Environmental Management Bureau (Department of environment and Natural Resources). 2008. Water quality monitoring manual on effluent quality monitoring, vol. II.

Islam, M. S. and M. Tanaka (2004): Impacts of pollution on coastal and marine ecosystems including coastal and marine fisheries and approach for management: a review and synthesis. Mar. Pollut. Bull., 48, 624–649.

Ismail, Z. 2011. Monitoring trends of nitrate, chloride and phosphate levels in an Urban River. International Journal of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering Vol. 3(7), pp. 132-138. http://www.academicjournals.org/ijwree

Kumar A., Bisht B. S., Joshi V. D., Singh A. K. and A. Talwar.2012. Physical, chemical and bacteriological study of water from Rivers of Uttarakhand. Human Ecology, 32(3).

Oram B. Undated. Phosphates and Nitrates in the environment. Water Research Center. http://www.water-research.net/index.php/phosphates,http://www.water-research.net/index.php/nitrate

Oviatt, C. A. & Gold, A. J., 2005. Nitrate, Agriculture and the Environment. s.l.:T.M. Addiscott. Tait, R. V. & Dipper, F. A., 1998. Elements of Marine Ecology. 4th Edition ed. Great Britain: Keyword

Publishing. WMO, 2010. Climate, Carbon and Coral Reefs, Switzerland: World Meteorological Organization.


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Marler, Paris N., L.S.G. Castro, K. Hoevenaars.2015. Mammalian Fauna of the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR): A Camera Trap Study of Palawan’s Mammals.

MAMMALIAN FAUNA OF THE PROPOSED CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE FOREST RESERVE (CNFR): A CAMERA TRAP STUDY OF PALAWAN’S MAMMALS

Paris N. Marler1, Lyca Sandrea G. Castro2, Kyra Hoevenaars1*

Centre for Sustainability, [email protected] 2College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Western Philippine University

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Humans have begun to destroy other species at an accelerating rate, causing

researchers to predict the 6th mass extinction within the next three human lifetimes (Ceballos et al. 2015, McCallum 2015). Protecting and researching our global biodiversity hotspots would be a huge step towards reducing the effects of a human-induced sixth mass extinction (Hoffman et al. 2010). All hotspot research projects will give us more information on how a specific hotspot functions and its role in worldwide conservation efforts. Thus, we conducted a camera trap survey within the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve, a biodiversity hotspot (Ambal et al. 2012) in northern Puerto Princesa, Palawan, Philippines. In this survey, 30 camera stations were established along 3 transects, yielding a total of 711 trap nights. From these stations we recorded 6 out of 7 known carnivores native to Palawan, as well as other highly hunted and threatened species, like the Palawan Pangolin (Manis culionensis). The photo-captures allowed us to create species-specific relative abundance indices for the area following Gerber et al. (2010) and O’Brien et al.’s (2003) methodologies. The discoveries we have made within this project urge the need for cooperation among indigenous and government groups to protect this forest for future generations and for the prosperity of our global society. Keywords: Mammals, Palawan, conservation, camera-trapping



Marler, Paris N., L.S.G. Castro, K. Hoevenaars. 2015. Mammalian Fauna of the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR): A Camera Trap Study of Palawan’s Mammals.

INTRODUCTION

Global biodiversity rates are steadily declining (Butchart et al 2010), with anthropogenic land use change being of primary concern to the sustenance of terrestrial ecosystems (Jenkins et al. 2003, Sala et al. 2000, Balmford et al. 2003). Luckily, hope can be found within earth’s biodiversity hotspots. The Philippines is one of the ‘hottest hotspots’ on earth (Myers et al. 2012) and home to at least 5% of the world’s endemic mammals (Ceballos et al. 2005). Of unique conservation interest is the Philippine island of Palawan, exuding with key biodiversity areas (Ambal et al. 2012). In this study, we focus on the unprotected forest surrounding Cleopatra’s Needle in Northern Puerto Princesa, Palawan. This forest is among the key biodiversity areas assessed by Ambal et al. (2012) and holds 85% of Palawan’s endemics (Beijnen & Hoevenaars 2014). It is relatively untouched by land conversion activities. However, due to its unprotected status, the forest’s flora and fauna are at the risk of logging, mining, and land-grabbing activities occurring throughout the island. Centre for Sustainability, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and the City Government of Puerto Princesa are part of a collaborative effort to protect this forest with the name Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve (CNFR). This study will contribute to this effort, further substantiating the area’s need for protection. We conducted camera trap surveys in an attempt to understand relative abundance and species occurrence of: Paradoxurus hermaphroditus (Common Palm Civet), Hystrix pumila (Palawan Porcupine), Prionailurus bengalensis heanyi (Palawan Leopard Cat), Mydaus marchei (Palawan Stink Badger), Herpestes brachyurus (Short-tailed Mongoose) and Manis culionensis (Palawan Pangolin). METHODOLOGY Study Area

This camera trap study was conducted in three barangays within the proposed CNFR: Tanabag, Concepcion, and Binduyan. These three barangays have direct contact with the east coast of Palawan, touching the Philippine Sea, and converge inland to Cleopatra’s Needle (10° 07' 26" N, 118° 59' 43" E; 1,593 masl). The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is adjacent to the proposed CNFR and extends west from Cleopatra’s Needle. Together, these two forested tracts of land comprise a relatively undisturbed corridor that connects the northern portion of the island to the southern. Camera Trapping

We used Bushnell Trophy Cams to conduct the surveys. These cameras use a Passive Infra-Red motion sensor to detect movement in front of the cameras and then take pictures and/or videos. Within each of the three aforementioned barangays, a 10 kilometer transect was established, extending from the eastern edge of the proposed reserve inward, towards Cleopatra’s Needle. Pre-selected UTM coordinates designated sites for camera deployment (Ancrenaz et al. 2012). Upon reaching these coordinates, we looked for animal trails or signs of carnivore presence at least 10 meters away from the main trail and placed cameras near such signs (O’Brien et al. 2003, Ancrenaz et al. 2012; Meek et al. 2012). Cameras were left to run on 24-hour cycles for 21-28 days. 3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Across the 29 functioning trap stations, we had a total of 711 trap nights. This total was used to calculate Relative Abundance Indices (RAI) for the major terrestrial carnivore species captured on camera (Table 1).



These results indicate there is a variance in how common certain species are over

others (RAI1). Similarly, particular species are more quickly photo-captured than others (RAI2). Figure 1.

The Palawan porcupine is the most common Palawan carnivore and is readily found in family groups. While the Common palm civet is common, it is still important to ensure its survival within Palawan. It plays important roles in forest upkeep by eating carrion and toxic insects; similarly, they are vital in consuming fruits and dispersing seeds throughout the forest (Mallick 2006).

The Palawan endemic Malayan civet is currently listed as Least Concern, due to its ability to adapt to highly disturbed areas and presumed wide range across the Palawan faunal region (Tabaranza et al. 2008). Our research indicates otherwise, with low photo-captures resulting in a low relative abundance estimate. The Short-tailed mongoose is considered common due to its wide geographic range and holds a Least Concern listing (Widmann et al. 2008). Yet, within the Philippines, this species is only found in Palawan and is rare where it is found (Widmann et al 2008). Our ability to capture just a few individuals, supports the claim of its rarity.



The relative abundance index of the Palawan leopard cat we created was one of the lowest among the carnivores. Palawan Leopard Cat’s recent declaration as its own subspecies endemic to Palawan (Groves 1997, Santiago-Flores et al. 2010) begs the need for further ecological studies to better understand its population dynamics. We were not able to capture many individuals of Palawan bearded pig and two out of the four independent photo events of Palawan bearded pig occurred above 1,000 masl along trails we had to make. This high elevation occurrence could suggest the intense severity of the hunting pressure affecting this species, since it seems they try to find refuge at high elevations that lack human signs. Our two photo-captures of the Philippine pangolin over the 5-month survey substantiate its threatened listing and may even support a Critically Endangered listing. This Palawan-endemic’s local, national and international market demand combined with its restricted range put it at the forefront for conservation concern as habitat loss pressures also continue.

The RAI estimates (Table 1) illustrate the huge variance in camera trap success among different species. In an ideal world, this variance would be attributed to the differences in actual population sizes (i.e. larger populations would have greater estimates). While this does play a role in the estimates, other variables must be considered. For example, some animals are ‘trap-happy’ and thus trigger the cameras more often due to curiosity. So, the same rare individual could trigger the camera multiple times, leading to an increased RAI1 estimate. Alternately, some animals may have come to fear human scent as humans are associated with the pervading hunting pressure; these animals could have avoided areas where our team set up cameras due to their fear of being killed.

On the social science side of this study, showing IP communities the camera trap results is one of the greatest outcomes of such a dynamic study. The IP communities living in the study area were enthralled by the pictures and videos and took particular interest in the Palawan bearded pig pictures. These community members agreed that protection of the animals left in the forest is needed.

RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

While Palawan’s mammals have been documented for over a century, there is a general lack of information regarding their ecology, distribution, and phylogenetic relationships (Esselstyn et al. 2004). Camera trap studies are incredibly valuable as we try to understand the secretive mammals of Palawan.

Research conducted in the proposed CNFR in Palawan, Philippines allow us to understand how this biodiversity hotspot functions so we can create effective conservation strategies for the future. The discoveries we have made within this study urge the need for cooperation among indigenous and government groups to protect this forest for future generations and for the prosperity of mankind.

The protection of the proposed Cleopatra’s Needle Forest Reserve will greatly contribute to the protection of the threatened and understudied species pervading Palawan, Philippines. With this protection, we have a greater likelihood of understanding the ecology of Palawan’s endemic mammals and can thus develop strategies to ensure the future existence of Palawan’s endemic mammals. Our findings on the Palawan Bearded Pig beg for further enforcement and strengthening of hunting laws, as this is absolutely necessary for the persistence of this species in the only area in the world it occurs. A captive breeding and release program would be greatly beneficial for Palawan bearded pig and the IP communities that depend on it.



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Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr. 2015. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River Water Quality in Palawan.

WATER QUALITY INDEX AS EVALUATION TOOL OF RIVER WATER

QUALITY IN PALAWAN

Marianne Faith G. Martinico-Perez1,2, Jenevieve P. Hara1, Madrono P. Cabrestante1 1Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff

Puerto Princesa City, Philippines 2Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University

Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan [email protected]

ABSTRACT

There are various physico-chemical and microbiological parameters that can be utilized to determine the water quality but there is no single measure that describes the overall water quality for any body of water in Palawan. This study explores the utilization of water quality index (WQI) developed by the Canadian Council of Ministries of the Environment (CCME) to provide convenient method of summarizing complex water quality data from thirty six (36) river monitoring stations in the province of Palawan. The WQI has five categories namely; excellent (95–100); good (80–94); fair (65–79); marginal (45–64); and poor (0–44).The calculation of WQI is based on nine (9) water quality parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, oil and grease, biochemical oxygen demand, phosphates, nitrates and total coliform in comparison with the water quality standards for freshwaters based on DENR Administrative Order 34, series of 1990. Results show that all of the rivers monitoring stations are good to excellent when utilized for agriculture, irrigation, and others (Class D of DAO 34, s. 1990), while only five (5) river monitoring stations are in good to excellent sources of drinking water supply after a complete treatment (Class A of DAO 34, s. 1990). The water quality index is potentially useful as decision tool in environmental planning and decision-making related to water resource protection, improvement and utilization towards a sustainable water resource management in the province of Palawan.

Keywords: water quality, DAO standards, physico-chemical parameters, river monitoring



Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr.. 2015. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River Water Quality in Palawan.

INTRODUCTION Rivers are the most important natural resource for human development. However,

humans activities altered the inland water ecosystem and its catchments by indiscriminate disposal of sewage, agricultural and industrial wastes, which affects its physicochemical and microbiological quality. Increasing problem of deterioration of river water quality, it is necessary to monitoring of water quality to evaluate the production capacity (Mishra et al., 2009).

To assess whether the water body is fit for various human activities and could support aquatic species and ecosystem processes, various parameters are determined through laboratory analyses. These parameters indicate the water quality in terms of physical, chemical and microbiological properties. With a hundreds of parameters to choose from, to sum up several water quality parameters into one holistic description or index remain a challenge.

Numerous water quality indices have been formulated all over the world. These indices are based on the comparison of the water quality parameters to the standards and give a single value for the water quality of a certain source (Bharti and Katyal 2011). The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) Water Quality Index (WQI) is a well-accepted and widely applicable model for evaluating the water quality index (Sharma and Kansal 2011; Damo and Icka 2013). This allows comparison of the to a benchmark, where the benchmark may be a water quality standard or site-specific background concentration (CCME, 2001). Because of its versatility, which this method was utilized by UNEP GEMS/Water programme as the model that should follow in developing the global water quality index (UNEP 2007).

This study explores the utilization Canadian Water Quality Index to provide convenient method of summarizing complex water quality data from thirty six (36) river monitoring stations in the province of Palawan. This study also aims to identify the appropriate beneficial usage for of the rivers monitored.

METHODOLOGY Data Collection

The data of water quality of 36 river monitoring stations in Palawan was taken from the PCSD Environmental Laboratory. To determine the water quality with respect to the usage of local communities, these rivers were assessed based on the water quality standards for fresh surface waters such as lakes, rivers, reservoirs, etc. based of the DENR Administrative Order No. 34 s.1990. In the process of evaluation, nine (9) parameters were used in determining the water quality index of the river systems: pH, dissolved oxygen, total suspended solids, total dissolved solids, oil and grease, biochemical oxygen demand, phosphates, nitrates and total coliform.

Calculation of Water Quality Index (WQI)

The WQI equation is calculated using three factors as follows:

(Eq. 1)

where:



Factor 1: Scope This represents the extent of water quality guideline non-compliance over the time period of interest and is calculated as follows:

(Eq. 2)

Factor 2: Frequency This refers to the percentage of individual tests that do not meet the standards of Class A (failed tests):

(Eq. 3)

Factor 3: Amplitude This represents the amount by which failed test values do not meet their objectives. It is calculated in three steps:

1) Excursion or the number of times by which an individual concentration is greated than (or less than, when the objective is a minimum)

(Eq. 4)

2) The normalized sum of excursions, or nse, is calculated as:

(Eq. 5)

3) Amplitude, F3 is then calculated as follows:

(Eq. 6)

Data Interpretation

The calculated WQI are then compared to the water quality rank that provides a convenient description of summarizing complex water quality data. Table 1 shows the general description based on the calculated water quality.

Table 1. General Description of the Calculated Water Quality Rank (Source: Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment. 2001)

Rank /WQI Range Ecological Condition Excellent / 95–100

• No water uses that fall under certain water classification ever interrupted

• Conditions very close to natural or pristine under certain water


Rank /WQI Range Ecological Condition classification


Rank /WQI Range Ecological Condition Good / 80–94 • Water quality is protected but occasionally threatened or

impaired • Conditions under certain water classification rarely depart from

natural or desirable quality

Fair / 65–79 • A single water use under certain water classification may be temporarily interrupted

• Conditions sometimes depart from desirable quality as required under certain water classification

Marginal / 45–64 Poor / 0–44

• Water quality under certain water classification is frequently threatened or impaired

• Conditions often depart from desirable quality as required under certain water classification

• Water quality under certain water classification is almost always threatened or impaired

• Conditions usually depart from desirable quality as required under certain water classification

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Table 2 shows the general water quality description of river stations with respect to

four water classification or beneficial usages of rivers based on the DENR Administrative Order No. 34, s. 1990. The water quality in river monitoring stations located in Pulot Dam in Española; Sabsaban and Tamlang Dam in Brooke’s Point; and Cabayugan and Irawan Upstream in Puerto Princesa City are in good condition suitable for Public Water Supply Class II or fit as sources of water supply that would require complete treatment (coagulation, sedimentation, filtration and disinfection) in order to meet the National Standards for Drinking Water (NSDW) – Class A. On the other hand, Magara upstream is assessed to be poor or with water quality is almost always threatened or impaired and conditions usually depart from desirable quality as required under Class A.All of the river monitoring stations have good to excellent condition/status when utilized for agriculture, irrigation, and others (Class D of DAO 34, s. 1990).


Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River

Water Quality in Palawan.

Table 2. General Water Quality Description/Rank Vis-A-Vis River Classification, 2014.

Municipality River Stations Class A Class B Class C

Class D

1. Aborlan Aborlan Fair Fair Good Excellent Iraan Fair Fair Good Excellent

Talakaigan Dam Fair Fair Good Excellent 2. Narra

Batang-batang Dam Fair Good Good Excellent

Batang-batang Fair Good Good Excellent Calategas Dam Fair Good Good Excellent Calategas Marginal Fair Fair Excellent Aramaywan Marginal Fair Good Excellent

Balitien Marginal Marginal Fair Excellent Bato-bato Fair Fair Good Excellent Cabuluan Fair Fair Fair Good Tagdidili Fair Fair Good Good

3. Espanola Pulot Dam Good Good Excellent Excellent

Pulot downstream Fair Fair Good Excellent

Labog Marginal Marginal Fair Excellent 4. Brooke's Point Sabsaban Good Good Excellent Excellent

Tamlang Dam Good Good Excellent Excellent

Pangobilian Fair Fair Good Excellent

Tigaplan Marginal Marginal Good Excellent Ipilan Fair Fair Fair Excellent

Maasin Fair Fair Good Good 5. Quezon Panitian Marginal Marginal Fair Good

Ibat-ong Fair Fair Excellent Excellent Tagbung-saing Lake Fair Fair Good Excellent Berong Fair Fair Good Excellent

6. Puerto Princesa City

Bacungan Fair Fair Good Excellent Cabayugan Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Irawan upstream Good Good Excellent Excellent Irawan downstream Fair Fair Good Excellent

7. Roxas Magara upstream Poor Marginal Good Good

Magara Midstream/ Guineratan Marginal Marginal Fair Excellent Magara downstream Marginal Fair Good Excellent

8. San Vicente Inandeng Marginal Marginal Good Excellent 9. Taytay Ibangley Fair Fair Good Excellent

Abongan downstream Fair Fair Excellent Excellent Abongan upstream Fair Fair Excellent Excellent


Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River Water Quality in Palawan.

Figure 1 shows the general water quality description or ranking vis-à-vis Class A(DAO 34, s. 1990) of river monitoring stations in Palawan for year 2014.

Figure 1. General Water Quality Description vis-à-vis Class A(per DAO 34, s. 1990) of river monitoring stations in Palawan for year 2014.


Perez, Marianne Faith G. M., J.P. Hara, M.P. Cabrestante Jr. Water Quality Index as Evaluation Tool of River Water Quality in Palawan.

Generally, monitoring stations located in the upstream of the river systems such as dams have better water quality than those stations in the midstream and downstream of the rivers. This was observed particularly in Calategas Dam and Calategas River in Narra; Pulot Dam and Pulot downstream in Española; and Irawan upstream and downstream in Puerto Princesa City. The reverse was observed in the Magara upstream in Roxas Palawan with poor water quality while stations located at midstream and downstream have marginal or having water quality that if compared toClass A is frequently threatened or impaired. This is due to the higher concentration of total suspended solids recorded in Magara upstream than in the midstream and downstream of rivers. This can be attributed to the small scale gold panning activities located nearby the Magara upstream station. As the water flows, the solids settle down resulting tothe lower concentration of suspended solids. Based on the parameters assessed in the study, phosphates, total coliform, oil and grease, and total suspended solids were often observed to exceed the standards. CONCLUSION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The CCME WQI is an effective tool to evaluate water quality with respect tobeneficial usage of rivers in the province of Palawan. Results show that 5 of the 36 river monitoring stations are of good water quality with respect to Class A standards, thus, can be possible source of water supply for domestic usage. All of the rivers have good to excellent quality when utilized for livestock or irrigation purposes. Overall, the indices are reflective of the real data obtained from water quality monitoring of PCSDS.

The information provided by the WQI is a useful tool for describing the state and trends of the river water qualityon temporal and spatial scale. The water quality index is potentially useful as decision tool in environmental planning and decision-making related to water resource protection, improvement and utilization towards a sustainable water resource management in the province of Palawan. This study also recommends a continous monitoring of water quality of freshwater bodies in the province of Palawan.

REFERENCES Bharti, N. and D. Katyal. 2011. Water quality indices used for surface water vulnerability assessment.

International Journal of Environmental Sciences. 2(1):154 Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME). 2001. Canadian water quality guidelines for the

protection of aquatic life: CCME Water Quality Index 1.0, Technical Report. In: Canadian environmental quality guidelines, 1999, Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, Winnipeg.

Damo R and Icka P. 2013. Evaluation of Water Quality Index for Drinking Water. Pol. J. Environ. Studies. 22(4):1045-1051

DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 34 series of 1990. Revised Water Usage And Classification/Water Quality Criteria Amending Section Nos. 68 and 69, Chapter III of the 1978 NPCC Rules and Regulations.

Mishra, A., A. Mukherjee, and B.D. Tripathi. 2009. Seasonal and Temporal Variations in Physico-chemical and Bacterilogical Characteristics of River Ganga in Varanasi. International Journal of Environmental Resources 3(3):395-402.

Sharma, D and A. Kandal 2011. Water quality analysis of River Yamuna using water quality index in the national capital ter- ritory, India (2000-2009). Applied Water Science (1):147.

United Nations Environment Program. 2007. Global Drinking Water Quality Index Development and Sensitivity Analysis Report. United Nations Environment Programme Global Environment Monitoring System (GEMS)/Water Programme.


Rubite R.R., M. Hughes M., Blanc P., Kono Y., Yang A., Alejandro G., De Layola, L.B., Virata AG N., Chung K., Peng C. 2015.Three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan.

THREE NEW SPECIES OF BEGONIA ENDEMIC TO THE PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK, PALAWAN

Rosario Rivera Rubite1*, Mark Hughes2, Patrick Blanc3, Yoshiko Kono4, Hsun-An Yang4, Grecebio J.D. Alejandro5,Llogene B. De Layola1, Arthur Gregory N. Virata1,

Kuo-Fang Chung6, Ching-I Peng4 1Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura, Manila 1000, Philippines. Email: [email protected]

2Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR, UK. Email: [email protected]

3CNRS, 3 rue Michel-Ange, 75794 Paris, France. Email: [email protected] 4Biodiversity Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan. Email: [email protected] 5College of Science and Research Centre for the Natural and Applied Sciences, University of Santo

Tomas, España, Manila 1015, Philippines. Email: [email protected] 6School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan.

Email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Begonia is a mega-diverse genus of flowering plants prone to generating micro-

endemic species, especially on limestone habitats. During fieldwork in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan (Philippines), three species were encountered which did not match any previously described from the region.Following morphological, molecular phylogenetic and cytological investigation a hypothesis of three new species is supported. The three new species belong to a clade endemic to Palawan and Borneo.The limestone habitats in the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park environs support a unique flora. The description of three new species from a small area within the park demonstrates how much remains to be discovered there, and the importance of its continued protection. Keywords: Limestone; endemic; new species;Begonia; conservation


Rubite R.R., M. Hughes M., Blanc P., Kono Y., Yang A., Alejandro G., De Layola, L.B., Virata AG N., Chung K., Peng C. 2015. Three new species of Begonia endemic to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, Palawan.

INTRODUCTION The Philippinesis a biodiversity hotspot, with an exceptional concentration of

endemic species undergoing exceptional loss of habitat (Myers et al. 2000). Some of the most extensive areas of intact forest in the country are found in Palawan, where there are reasons for optimism due to the implementation of conservation through devolved local government and civil society groups (Posa et al. 2008). Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) is managed by the City Government of Puerto Princesa, and is the first national park in the Philippines to be managed at this level. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1999 (World Heritage Commitee 2000), and voted as one of the New7Wonders of Nature, boostingtourism as much as 300%(Fitzgerald 2011; Fitzgerald 2012). Palawan as a whole is designated by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve, and by Birdlife International as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (BirdLife International 2015).

The PPSRNP contains a spectacular karst limestone landscape and eight different forest formations; forest on ultramafic soil, forest on limestone soil, montane forest, freshwater swamp forest, lowland evergreen tropical rainforest, riverine forest, beach forest, and mangrove forest. This mix of forest types and substrates means the PPSRNP harbours a very rich flora, but much remains to be discovered. During recent fieldwork in the PPSRNP we foundthree new species of Begoniawithin a distance of only a few hundred meters, adding these distinct species to the 14 known Begonia species already recorded from Palawan (Hughes and Coyle 2009; Hughes et al. 2010; Hughes et al. 2011). Based on morphology, chromosome cytology and molecular phylogenetic analysis we place the three new species in Begonia sect. Baryandra.Although the species occur very close to one another at altitudes of less than 50 m, they grow in mutually exclusive habitats. The first species Begonia tarawC.-I Peng, R. Rubite & M. Hughesis located around the mouth of the underground river, growing tenaciously on the vertical limestone cliffs. Nearby inkarst forest growing in rock crevices is the second species Begoniahughesii R.Rubite and C.-I Peng.The third species,Begonia tagbanuaM. Hughes, C.-I Peng& R. Rubite, grows on clay soil banks inside the forest. METHODOLOGY Chromosome cytology

Somatic chromosomesof B. taraw (Ching-I Peng 23463, 23464),B. hughesii (Ching-I Peng 23466, 23475),B. tagbanua (Ching-I Peng 23471) wereexamined using root tips. The procedures of pre-treatment, fixation and staining for chromosome observations followedPeng et al. (2014).Voucher specimens are deposited in HAST. Phylogenetic analyses

A total of 37 species from Begonia sect.Baryandra was sampled from the Philippine archipelago, including the 3 new species from Palawan (each represented by two individuals) and a further 5 from Palawan (B. blancii, B. cleopatrae, B. suborbiculata, B. wadei, B. woodii), with 2 species of Begonia sect. Petermannia and 4 species of Begonia sect.Reichenheimiaas outgroups. Total genomic DNA was extracted from young leaves and buds using DNeasyPlant Mini Kits (Qiagen, USA). Four chloroplast non-coding regions were chosen (ndhA intron, ndhF–rpl32 spacer, rpl32–trnL spacer, trnC–trnD spacer) and amplified with PCR primer sequences taken from Demesure et al. (1995) and Thomas et al. (2011). PCR amplification was carried out with Phusion® High-Fidelity DNA Polymerase (New England Biolabs Inc.) using the manufacturers recommended reagent concentrations and the following temperature cycle protocol: initial denaturation at 95C for 5 mins, followed



by 32 cycles at 98°C for 30 s, 50C for 30 s, 72C for 30 s (or 60 s for trnC–trnD). Sanger sequencing was performed on the PCR products by Genomics BioScience and Technology Co., Taipei. Forward and reverse reads for all regions were assembled and aligned using Geneious Pro (Biomatters, New Zealand), with the alignments being subsequently manually edited in BioEdit 7.1.3 (Hall 1999). Bayesian phylogenetic analysis was carried out using MrBayes 3.2.1 (Ronquist et al. 2012), treating the dataset as a single partition. The analysis consisted of two runs with four chains each, run for 10000000 generations with a sample tree taken every 10000. The first 25% of sampled trees were discarded as burn-in, and the remainder summarised as a maximum clade credibility tree visualised using FigTree v.1.4.0 (Rambaut 2009). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Taxonomy

1. Begonia tarawC.-I Peng, R. Rubite & M. Hughes, sp. nov.§ Baryandra TYPE:PHILIPPINES. Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

National Park, elev. ca. 5m,10°12'1"N, 118°55'32"E,2 Nov. 2011,Ching-I Peng 23463, with Kuo-Fang Chung, Chien-I Huang, Rosario Rubite(holotype PNH, isotype HAST).

Begonia tarawcan be differentiated from the only otherpeltate species in Palawan, Begonia gutierrezii, in having longer petioles which are sparsely lanate with appressed hairs (not erect 4 mm long hairs), short internodeson the rhizome (not stoloniferous and elongate), larger leaves, glabrous stipules, and a conspicuous ring of fused fleshy hairs at the base of most petioles.

2. Begonia hughesiiR. Rubite&C.-I Peng,sp. nov. § Baryandra TYPE:PHILIPPINES. Palawan Island, Palawan Province, Puerto Princesa City,

Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, elev. ca. 5m, 10°12'1"N, 118°55'32"E, 2 Nov. 2011, Ching-I Peng 23466, with Kuo-Fang Chung, Chien-I Huang, Rosario Rubite (holotype PNH, isotype HAST).

Begonia hughesii is most similar to B.acclivis, but differs in having leaves which are glabrous above (not with scattered 2 mm long hairs) and uniform bright green (not markedly variegated), and dimorphic stipules which are either hairy on the keel only or hairy all over the abaxial surface.

3.Begonia tagbanuaM. Hughes, C.-I Peng& R. Rubite,sp. nov.§ Baryandra TYPE:PHILIPPINES. Palawan, Puerto Princesa, Puerto Princesa Subterranean River

National Park, elev. ca. 35m,10°12'1"N, 118°55'32"E, 2 Nov. 2011, Ching-I Peng 23471, with Kuo-Fang Chung, Chien-I Huang, Rosario Rubite(holotype PNH, isotype HAST).

Begonia tagbanua is most similar to Begonia suborbiculata, but differs in having less succulent leaves which are rugolose (not smooth), sparsely puberulous above (not glabrous), and fruitswhichare 3-winged (not5-winged). Chromosome cytology

Somatic chromosomes at metaphase of the three new species are reported here for the first time: 2n = 28 for Begonia taraw; 2n = 30for B.hughesii and B. tagbanua. Phylogenetic relationships

The three new species B. hughesii, B. tagbanua and B. taraware strongly supported as being members ofBegonia sect. Baryandra, and belong to a clade mostly endemic to Palawan (Figure 1). Begonia hughesii is not monophyletic according to its chloroplast



genotype, whereas B. tagbanua and B. taraw are supported as monophyletic whilst having some within-species polymorphism as shown by the non-zero branch lengths. The two samples of Begonia hughesii were taken from different localities; sample 1 (Peng 23466) was collected in littoral forest near Sabang, and sample 2 (Peng 23475) was collected at Ugong Rock.

The variety of habitats in terms of forest types and substrates, and in particular the variety of limestone habitats, may play a part in promoting species richness at this relatively low altitude for Begonia. Further exploration towards the karst summit of the nearby Mount St. Paul did not yield any more Begonia species, contrary to what we would expect for this predominantly montane genus. The phylogenetic results show that all three species harbour chloroplast polymorphism, which is congruent with Begonia species existing as populations with a high degree of genetic isolation (Hughes and Hollingsworth 2008; Twyford et al. 2014). Both Begonia tagbanua and B. taraw resolved as monophyletic in the chloroplast phylogeny, whereas B. hughesii appears as polyphyletic. Natural hybrids have been reported a number of times in Begonia(Peng and Chiang 2000; Peng and Ku 2009; Peng et al. 2010) and it is possible that B. hughesii and B. tagbanua share a common chloroplast lineage due to a past hybridisation event. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

The study further highlights the importance of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park as a remarkable World Heritage Site, with its combination of unique geology and endemic flora. The presence of three narrowly endemic and rare species in the most heavily visited part of the reserve means continued care must be taken to ensure trails are well maintained and that they are respected by visitors, and that visitor numbers are managed appropriately. Ex-situ conservation also has a role to play in ensuring a secure future for the three species described here, giving the potential for re-introduction if a chance event such as drought or typhoon should destroy or drastically reduce the wild populations.

The fact that three new species were found in such close proximity demonstrates how much remains to be discovered in the PPSRNP, and how even small scale forest disturbance could result in extinctions. The study supports the formation of a larger forest reserve encompassingboth PPSRNP and the adjacent Cleopatra’s Needle, which also has two recently discovered endemic Begonia(Hughes et al. 2010), and doubtless many other endemic plant species awaiting description.



Figure 1.Phylogeny of Begonia sect.Baryandra.Generated from a bayesian analysis of chloroplast DNA sequence data. Asterisks denote clades with support of PP<0.95. REFERENCES BirdLife International (2015) Endemic Bird Area Factsheet: Palawan. doi: Downloaded from

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coding regions of mitochondrial and chloroplast DNA in plants. Mol Ecol 4:129–131. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.1995.tb00201.x

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Fitzgerald, E. 2012. PPUR officially confirmed as one of the New7Wonders of Nature. http://news.n7w.com/2012/01/28/3743/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=3743. Accessed 21 Apr 2015

Hall, T.A. 1999. BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nucleic Acids Symp Ser 41:95–98. doi: citeulike-article-id:691774

Hughes, M. and C. Coyle C. 2009. Begonia Section Petermannia (Begoniaceae) on Palawan (Philippines), including two new species. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 66:205–211. doi: 10.1017/S0960428609005307

Hughes, M., C. Coyle and R.R. Rubite. 2010. A revision of Begonia section Diploclinium on the Philippine island of Palawan, including five new species. Edinburgh Journal of Botany 67:123–140. doi: 10.1017/S0960428609990266

Hughes, M. and P.M. Hollingsworth. 2008. Population genetic divergence corresponds with species-level biodiversity patterns in the large genus Begonia. Molecular Ecology 17:2643–2651. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-294X.2008.03788.x

Hughes, M., R.R. Rubite, Y. Kono and CI Peng. 2011. Begonia blancii (sect. Diploclinium, Begoniaceae), a newspecies endemic to the Philippine island of Palawan. Bot Stud 52:203–209.

Myers, N., R.A. Mittermeier and C.G. Mittermeier. 2000. Biodiversity hotspots for conservation priorities. Nature 403:853–858. doi: 10.1038/35002501

Peng, C.I. and S. Ku. 2009. Begonia × chungii (Begoniaceae), a new natural hybrid in Taiwan. Bot Stud 50:241–250.

Peng, C.I. and T.Y. Chiang. 2000. Molecular confirmation of unidirectional hybridization in Begonia x Taipeiensis Peng (Begoniaceae) from Taiwan. Ann Missouri Bot Gard 87:273–285.

Peng, C.I, Y. Liu and S.M. Ku 2010. Begonia × breviscapa (Begoniaceae), a new intersectional natural hybrid from limestone areas in Guangxi, China. Bot Stud 51:107–117.

Peng, C.I., H. Wang, Y. Kono and H.A. Yang. 2014. Begonia wui-senioris (sect. Platycentrum, Begoniaceae), a new species from Myanmar. Bot Stud 55:13. doi: 10.1186/1999-3110-55-13

Posa, M.R.C., A.C. Diesmos, N.S. Sodhi and T.M. Brooks. 2008. Hope for Threatened Tropical Biodiversity: Lessons from the Philippines. Bioscience 58:231–240. doi: 10.1641/B580309

Rambaut, A. 2009. FigTree, a graphical viewer of phylogenetic trees. Inst. Evol. Biol. Univ. Edinburgh Ronquist, F., M. Teslenko, P. van der Mark, D.L. Ayres, A. Darling, S. Höhna, B. B. Larget L. Liu, M.A.

Suchard and J.P. Huelsenbeck. 2012. MrBayes 3.2: efficient Bayesian phylogenetic inference and model choice across a large model space. Syst Biol 61:539–42. doi: 10.1093/sysbio/sys029

Thomas, D.C., M. Hughes, T. Phutthai, S. Rajbhandary, R.Rubite, W.H. Ardi and J.E. Richardson. 2011. A non-coding plastid DNA phylogeny of Asian Begonia (Begoniaceae): evidence for morphological homoplasy and sectional polyphyly. Mol Phylogenet Evol 60:428–444. doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2011.05.006

Twyford, A., C. Kidner and R. Ennos. 2014. Genetic differentiation and species cohesion in two widespread Central American Begonia species. Heredity 112:382–90. doi: 10.1038/hdy.2013.116

World Heritage Commitee. 2000. Twenty-third session, Marrakesh, Morocco. doi: http://whc.unesco.org/archive/repcom99.htm#652


Salazar, Claribel B., R.A.T. Balisco, R.G. Dolorosa. 2015. Species Inventory of Commercially Exploited Sea Cucumbers in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan

SPECIES INVENTORY OF COMMERCIALLY EXPLOITED SEA CUCUMBERS IN

RASA ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, NARRA, PALAWAN

Claribel B. Salazar*, Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco and Roger G. Dolorosa College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Western Philippines University

Puerto Princesa Campus - Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS) is an important fishing ground yet not much

information is known about the diversity of its marine fauna especially the commercially exploited sea cucumbers. Samples obtained from sea cucumber collectors totalled 21 species belonging to two families with family Holothuriidae having the most (17) number of species. Three commonly collected species (Actinopyga echinites, Holothuria scabra and Stichopus hermanii) are listed as threatened by the IUCN. The number of species recorded in (RIWS) represents at least 38.89% of the 54 known species and about 60% of the 35 reported number of commercially exploited sea cucumber species in Palawan. Continued data collection is expected to record additional species. At least a local policy is needed to regulate the harvest of threatened species. Keywords: Palawan, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, sea cucumbers, species diversity




INTRODUCTION Sea cucumbers locally known as balat or balatan are heavily harvested and exported as trepang. About 25 species of sea cucumber were collected and processed in the Philippines although a hundred species are known in the country (Schoppe 2000). Sea cucumbers are slow-growing invertebrates (Kerr et al. 2006) and are therefore prone to over exploitation. A few species have been threatened because of overharvesting. The species of Apostichopus japonicus, Holothuria lessoni, H. nobilis, H. scabra, H. whitmmaei, Isotichopus fuscus and Thelenota ananas has been declared by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as endangered species and at high risk of extinction (Conand et al 2014). Without local policies which regulate the harvesting of sea cucumbers, more species are possibly at risk of over exploitation and habitat degradation. Several studies about sea cucumbers in various parts of Palawan were conducted (Paalan 2009, Quillope 2011, Buri 2012, Pitong 2013, Sangutan 2015, Jontila 2014 and Dolorosa 2015) but no study has been conducted yet in RIWS.The island of Rasa in Narra, Palawan, Philippines is a Protected Area by virtue of Republic Act 7586 or NIPAS Act of 1991. However, the surrounding marine ecosystem of the island is open for fishing activities which can affect species diversity.Sea cucumbers are commonly harvested in RIWS. However, no information is available on species diversity of sea cucumber in the island. Given that harvesting is unregulated, such may affect both the diversity of sea cucumber and the lives of the fishermen. Thus, this study was conducted to identify the commonly harvested species of sea cucumbers in RIWS. METHODOLOGY Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (9o13’21.25” N and 118o26’38.06” E) is located about 1 km offshore of the Municipality of Narra, Palawan. In 2006, the island was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary through Presidential Proclamation 1000. Samples obtained from various sea cucumber collectors were photographed and preserved in 95% alcohol for spicule examination. Species identification through its morphological characteristics was based on the works of Schoppe (2000), Kerr et al. (2006) and Jontila et al. 2014 and species identification through its spicules was based on the study of Purcell et.al. (2012). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

A total of 21 commercially exploited species belonging to family Holothuriidae and Stichopodidae were recorded. Holothuriidae has the most (17) number of species belonging to four genera. Only four species belonging to two genera fall under family Stichopodidae (Tables 1 and 2).

The numbers obtained in RIWS represents 60% of the reported number of commercially exploited sea cucumber species in Palawan (see Jontila et al. 2014). The number of species being harvested in RIWS is also higher than in other parts of Palawan. (Table 1).Such high number of species indicates that RIWS is an important sea cucumber habitat compared to other localities where only a few species were recorded. Sea cucumbers are prone to overharvesting (Kerr 2006; Purcell 2012; Conand et al. 2014) thus a management plan which protect these species and their habitat is important to avoid the collapse of this industry.



Table 1.Number of commercially and non- commercially exploited sea cucumber species in different parts of Palawan, Philippines.

Area Commercially Exploited

Non- Commercially Exploited

Total Species Author/ Year

Johnson Island, Roxas 14 0 14 Paalan 2009 Aborlan,Palawan 6 2 8 Quillope 2011 Sta. Lucia,PPC 10 2 12 Buri 2012 Brooke's Point,Palawan 6 7 13 Canonico 2013 Brooke's Point,Palawan 7 5 12 Pitong 2013 Quezon,Palawan 8 3 11 Collantes 2013 Caruray, San Vicente 16 9 25 Sangutan 2015 Palawan 26 0 26 Schoppe 2000 Palawan 35 9 44 Jontila et al. 2014 Rasa Island, Narra 21 0 21 This Study

Most of the species recorded in this study were collected by fishermen from shallow

areas except Actinopyga lecanora, Bohadschia marmorata, Holothuria Aff. edulis, Pearsonothuria graeffei and Thelenota anax which were obtained by fishers in deeper parts of the reef. Some sea cucumbers can inhabit up to about 30 m deep (Purcell et al. 2012), thus additional species may be obtained with extensive survey of the deeper parts of Rasa Island. This study identified 3 additional new records for Palawan (Holothuria aff. edulis and Holothuria sp. 1 & 2), thus there are at least 54 species all in Palawan. This record is higher than in other areas in the Philippines. For example, Kerr et al. (2006) recorded 49 Holothuroids species in Central Visayas (Negros, Cebu, Bohol and neighbouring localities) and 35 species was found in Bolinao-Anda, Pangasinan (Olivades et al. 2010). International Union for Conservation of Nature provides status of sea cucumbers including its population trend. Out of 21 identified commercially exploited sea cucumbers, eleven species were data deficient and not yet assessed, seven were listed as least concern and the other three species were included in the list of vulnerable and endangered (Table 2). Table 2. IUCN Conservation Status of Identified Commercially Exploited Sea Cucumbers at

Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan.

Scientific Name English Name

IUCN Status Population Trend

No. Family Holothuriidae

1 Actinopyga echinites Deep-water redfish Vulnerable

Decreasing

2 A. lecanora Stonefish Data Deficient

Unknown

3 Bohadschia argus Leopard fish Least Concern

Stable

4 B. vitiensis Brown Sandfish Data Deficient

Decreasing

5 B. marmorata Chalky Sea Cucumber Data Deficient

Decreasing

6 Holothuria atra Lolly Fish Least Concern

Stable

7 H. coluber Snakefish Least Concern

Unknown

8 H. edulis Pinkfish Least Concern

Unknown

9 H. aff. edulis Not yet been assessed for IUCN Redlist

10 H. fuscoscinerea Not yet been assessed for IUCN Redlist



Scientific Name English Name

IUCN Status Population Trend

No. Family Holothuriidae 11 H. impatiens Bottleneck Sea Cucumber Data Deficient Unknown 12 H. leucospilota Least Concern Unknown 13 H. rigida Least Concern Unknown 14 H. scabra Sandfish Endangered Decreasing 15 Holothuria sp.1

16 Holothuria sp.2

17 Pearsonothuria graeffei

Least Concern Unknown Family Stichopodidae 18 Stichopus hermanii Vulnerable Decreasing 19 S. monotuberculatus 20 S. horrens Selenkas Sea Cucumber Data Deficient Unknown 21 Thelenota anax Amberfish Data Deficient Unknown

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS The number of species recorded in RIWS represents at least 38.89% of the 54 known species in Palawan. Such high number of species makes RIWS an important area for conservation. Harvesting is unregulated given the inclusion of threatened species in the catch of the fishermen. The results revealed that, the number of species identified in the Island represents about 60% of the 35 reported number of commercially exploited sea cucumbers species in Palawan. Such high number indicates that RIWS is an important habitat of sea cucumbers compared to other areas in Palawan. Given that the Island is an important habitat of sea cucumbers, there is a possibility that additional species may be obtained through extensive survey especially in deeper parts of the area. Based on the results of this study, it is recommended to regulate the collection of IUCN listed threatened sea cucumber species in RIWS. Continued data collection is expected to record additional species. Studies about the biology and population trends of sea cucumbers in RIWS are recommended. Regulations affecting the harvesting of sea cucumbers must be accompanied with the provision of alternative livelihood. REFERENCES Buri, D.R.F. 2012. Population Structure of Holothurians in the Intertidal Area of Abucayan Inlet, Barangay Sta.

Lucia, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis, 62pp.

Canonico, M.C.E. 2013. Identification and Spicule Examination of Sea Cucumbers in Brooke’s Point, Palawan. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis,

Collantes, S.D. 2013. Species Identification and Spicule Examination of Sea Cucumbers in Selected Barangays of Quezon, Palawan. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis, 25 pp.

Conand, C., Polidoro, B., Mercier, A., Gamboa, R., Francois- Hamel, J. and Purcell, S. 2014. The IUCN Red List Assessment of Aspidochirotida Sea Cucumbers and its Implications.SPC Beche- de- mer Information Bulletin, 34: 3-7.

Dolorosa, R.G. 2014. The sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 35: 10-18


Jontila, J.B.S., Balisco, R.A.T. and Matillano, J.A. 2014. The Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea) of Palawan, Philippines. Aquaculture, Aquarium, Conservation and Legislation International Journal of the Bioflux Society, 7 (3): 194-205.

Kerr, M.A., Netchy, K. and Gawel, A.M. 2006. Survey of the Shallow Water Sea Cucumbers of the Central Philippines. University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Technical Report No. 119. 51 pp.

Olavides, R.D.D., Edullantes, C.M.A. and Juinio-Meñez, M.A. 2010. Assessment of the Sea Cucumber Resource and Fishery in the Bolinao-Anda Reef System. Science Diliman, 22:1-12.

Paalan, P.P.P. 2009. Sea Cucumbers of Johnson Island, Roxas, Palawan. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis, 69 pp.

Pitong, A.M. 2013. Species Composition, Density, Size Structure and Distribution of Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in Brooke’s Point, Palawan. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis, 41pp.

Purcell, S.W., Samyn, Y. and Conand, C. 2012. Commercially Important Sea Cucumbers of the World. FAO Species Catalogue for Fishery Purposes. No.6. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome. 213pp.

Quillope, R. 2011. Status of Sea Cucumbers and its Fishery along the East Coast of Aborlan, Palawan: with Proposed Resource Management Plan. Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. MS Thesis 105 pp.

Sangutan, J.R. 2015. Species Composition, Habitat, Distribution, Density, Abundance and Size Structure of Sea Cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in Caruray, San Vicente, Palawan.WesternPhilippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City. Undergraduate Thesis 37pp.

Schoppe, S. 2000. Sea Cucumber Fishery in the Philippines. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 13:10-12.


EXTENDED ABSTRACT

SESSION 2 SOCIO-CULTURAL-ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL STUDIES


Baguinbin, Darna, R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, A.T. Baaco A.T. 2015. Profitability of live lobster trading in Araceli, Palawan, Philippines.

PROFITABILITY OF LIVE LOBSTER TRADING IN ARACELI, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

Darna M. Baguinbin1, Roger G. Dolorosa1,

Rodulf Anthony T. Balisco1 and Allaine T. Baaco2

1College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences

2College of Agriculture, Forestry and Environmental Sciences Western Philippines University- Puerto Princesa Campus

Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Live lobster trading (LLT) is a lucrative business in Palawan, but not much information is available about the earnings gained by local traders from this fishery industry. To fill this gap, this study explored the profitability of LLT based on 3-year records of a trader from the Municipality of Araceli, Palawan, Philippines. Five species of lobsters were commonly traded with the highest volume observed between March and September. The annual net profit nearly doubled between 2012 and 2013, with a slight decline in 2014. Periodic monitoring of lobster fishery within Araceli and other parts of Palawan is needed to fully understand the dynamics of this fishery industry.

Keywords: Araceli, lobster trading, Palawan, Philippines


Baguinbin, Darna, R.G. Dolorosa, R.A.T. Balisco, A.T. Baaco. 2015. Profitability of live lobster trading in Araceli, Palawan, Philippines.

INTRODUCTION

Lobster trading is a lucrative fishing enterprise because of its limited supply but unlimited demand (Compomanes 1992). In Palawan, lobsters only comprised about 10 – 20% of the fishermen’s total catch (Gonzales and Taniguchi 1995). Lobsters caught in the municipality of Araceli, Palawan are generally by-catch from various fishing activities.

Live lobster command a much higher price than frozen products, but for the traders to ship out a reasonable volume, live lobsters are generally kept in sea cages until a desired number or volume is reached. While many are involved in the trading of live lobsters, the profitability of this business has not been evaluated. In view with this, this study determined the commonly traded species of lobsters; the volume of lobster traded; buying and selling prices of lobster; and the profitability of lobster trading in Araceli, Palawan. METHODOLOGY

The study was carried out in the Municipality of Araceli, Palawan. The data were collected from the log book of a trader with complete business record for three consecutive years (2012 – 2014). Information taken from the record book includes species composition, volume of catch, buying/selling price and trading related expenses.

The data were used to determine the monthly and annual income of the trader. Data in three years were compared with one-way analysis of variance in SPSS 17. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Five species of lobster were recently traded in Araceli, Palawan (Table 1). There are seven species and subspecies of Panulirus in the Philippine waters, with P. ornatus, P. versicolor, and P. penicillatus as the most widely distributed (Chan and Ng 2001; Ravago and Juinio-Menez 2002). In the mid 1990s only three species (P. ornatus, P. versicolor, and P. longipes longipes) of marine spiny lobsters were found predominantly in the catches of the fishermen in the Province of Palawan. The first two species have high commercial values for both local and foreign markets, while P. longipes longipes seemed to be the most in demand species for export to Japan (Gonzales and Taniguchi 1995).

Table 1. Species of lobster commonly traded in Araceli, Palawan.

The volume of traded lobster was relatively higher in 2014 (1,409.21 kg) than in

previous years. Between 2012 and 2014, high volumes of lobsters were traded during the months of March until September which comprised 75.65% of the total volume (Figure 1).

Local name Common English name Scientific name

Tiger banagan Ornate tropical rock lobster Panulirus ornatus Bamboo/Green banagan Painted rock lobster Panulirus versicolor

Red banagan Bluespot or white whiskered rock lobster

Panulirus longipes longipes

Aswang Double- spined rock lobster Panulirus penicillatus

Pitik Slipper lobster, flathead lobster

Thenus orientalis



Figure 1. Monthly volume (kg) of lobster traded in Araceli, Palawan during the year 2012 -2014.

The monthly variation in volume of catch could be due to seasonal abundance of the species and the effects of monsoons (bad weather) on fishing activities. The data in this study coincides with the peak season (March-August) for catching lobsters in Southern Mindanao (Williams 2004) although some studies have shown that lobster distribution and fishery in the Philippines varied per species. Panulirus ornatus are found in northeastern Luzon from March to May, while it occurs throughout the year with a peak during the southwest monsoon season in Pangasinan, La Union and Sibugay (Juinio-Meñez and Dantis 1996). In eastern Samar, P. ornatus is present during the southwest monsoon (Williams 2004). Such increasing trend manifests continued fishing efforts in deeper parts of the reef where large individuals are caught.

The buying and selling price of lobster is based on weight categories of each species. The weight category for lobster is the same for all species except for P. longipes longipes where under size weight ranged between 0.1 and 0.45 kg (Table 2). No weight categories for baby size P. longipes longipes, P. penicillatus and T. orientalis.

Table 2. Weight (kg) categories of traded lobster in Araceli, Palawan.

It was observed that berried individuals were traded without firstly allowing the species to naturally spawn in holding cages. This practice can cause further decline in population but can be addressed by establishing minimum legal size for the fishery to protect egg production potential of lobster population (Chang et al. 2007). Live lobster fishery in

Scientific Name Baby Size (kg) Under Size (kg) Good Size (kg)

Panulirus ornatus 0.10-0.20 0.25-0.45 0.50-2.50

Panulirus versicolor 0.10-0.20 0.25-0.45 0.50-2.00

Panulirus longipes longipes

0.10-0.45 0.50-2.00

Panulirus penicillatus 0.10-0.45 0.50-2.00

Thenus orientalis 0.25-0.45 0.50-2.00



theory provides opportunities for selective harvesting (for example, size limits, release egg bearing lobsters) which was not possible in the case of the traditional spear fishery. However, in an open-access area, it is impossible to expect fishers to release egg-bearing females. The establishment of reproductive reserves, local policies on of size regulations, and education campaign could help combat overharvesting. In addition, research that will provide additional insights on lobster recruitment dynamics will be useful in identifying appropriate areas for protection or enhancement on the one hand and more sustainable sources of early juveniles (Juinio-Menez and Gotanco 2004).

The prices of lobster varied according to sizes and species. Among the five species, Panulirus ornatus is the most expensive reaching a buying and selling price of PhP 1,600 and PhP 3,200, respectively (Table 3). The price ranges are highly variable and may change on a daily basis. The prices may also vary per trader and location. In the study of Williams (2004), the most expensive live lobsters (i.e. for P.ornatus and P. versicolor) fetch at least PhP 1,500.00kg-1 ($US 27.00 kg-1) in the local markets of Western Mindanao. This high market value can lead to increased fishing pressure and cause a serious threat to the sustainability of wild stocks.

This high market value can lead to increased fishing pressure and cause a serious threat to the sustainability of wild stocks. The other two species (Panulirus penicillatus and Thenus orientalis) are of low market value and the recent inclusion of these species in the trade may suggest the decline of high valued species. Table 3. Buying and selling price of lobster in Araceli, Palawan between 2012 and 2014.

The monthly earning of lobster trader greatly varied within three years, the highest profit was recorded during the month of April 2013 (close to PhP 60,000). The lowest profit was about PhP 4,000 per month. These results suggest that the profit is dependent on the volume of catch (Figure 2). The decline of catch can therefore affects the lives of fishermen dependent on lobster fishery.

In lobster trading, the yearly gross income was increasing between 2012 and 2014 while the expenses did not change within three years. In spite of higher gross earnings and capital in 2014, the net earnings were lower than in 2013 because of high mortality of lobster on transit. It takes about 6-7 h to transport (combined land and water) the lobster from Araceli to Puerto Princesa. Longer transport may occur in times of bad weather.

Scientific name Buying price Price (PhP) per kg

Selling price Price (PhP) per kg

Baby size

Under size

Good size

Baby size

Under size

Good size

Panulirus ornatus 150.00 700.00 1,600.00 300.00 1,000.00 3,200.00 Panulirus versicolor 150.00 600.00 1,300.00 300.00 850.00 1,800.00 Panulirus longipes longipes

600.00 800.00 1,000.00 1,400.00

Panulirus penicillatus 300.00 700.00 Thenus orientalis 250.00 400.00 350.00 500.00



Figure 2. Monthly net earnings (PhP) of the trader during the year 2012-2014.

CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS Record indicating the volume, and buying and selling price per species is necessary to further understand the status of this fishery industry. The study shows that a total of five species of lobster were commonly traded in Araceli, Palawan. The trend in yearly volume and average sizes of traded lobster was increasing. The most expensive species was Panulirus ornatus. The lobster trading is profitable with yearly ROI ranging between 13.1-27.2%.

Based on the results, this study recommends longer data gathering (e.g. five to 10 years) to establish long term trends in volume and size of catch. The profitability of rearing undersized lobster until reaching good size maybe explored. Gravid females must be allowed to spawn in holding sea cages before trading. Education campaign is needed to reduce the capture of juvenile lobster. An ordinance regulating the harvest especially of juvenile and gravid female lobster is recommended. REFERENCES Campomanes, R.M. 1992. Lobster can be raised in fish pen transfer. Nesmarrdec Newsletter. Chan, T.Y. and Ng, P.K.L. 2001.On the nomenclature of the commercially important spiny lobsters

Panulirus longipes femoristriga (von Martens, 1872), P. bispinosus Borradaile, 1899, and P. albiflagellum Chan and Chu, 1996 (Decapoda, Palinuridae). Crustaceana,74(1):123–127.

Chang, J.Y., Sun, C.L., Chen, Y., Yeh, S.Z. and Chiang, W.C. 2007. Reproductive biology of the spiny lobster, Panulirus penicillatus, in the southeastern coastal waters off Taiwan. Marine Biology,151:553–564.

Gonzales, B.J. and Taniguchi, N.1995. Spiny lobster fishery in Palawan, Philippines with consideration on its conservation and management. Bulletin of Marine Science Fisheries. Kochi University,15:121-130.

Juinio-Meñez, M.A. and Dantis, A. 1996. Spiny Lobster (Panulirus spp.) Resource Management. Terminal Report. Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman.

Juinio-Menez, M.A. and Gotanco, R.R. 2004. Status of Spiny Lobster Resources of the Philippines. Marine Science Institute, University of Philippines, Philippines.6p.

Ravago, R.G. and Juinio-Meñez, M.A. 2002. Phylogenetic position of the striped-legged forms of Panulirus longipes (A. Milne-Edwards, 1868) (Decapoda, Palinuridae) inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequences. Crustaceana,75 (9):1047–1059.

Williams, K.C. 2004. Spiny lobster ecology and exploitation in the South China Sea region. Proceedings of a workshop held at the Institute of Oceanography, Nha Trang, Vietnam, July 2004 Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Proceedings No. 120,73p.


Delfin, Mary Tootchie V. andR.G.Dolorosa.2015. Sea cucumber fishery in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

SEA CUCUMBER FISHERY IN RASA ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, NARRA,

PALAWAN

Mary Tootchie V. Delfin* and Roger G. Dolorosa

College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Western Philippines University Puerto Princesa Campus - Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City

Corresponding author: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

The commercial harvesting of sea cucumbers for the trepang industry has for decades supported the lives of many Palaweños. However, historical records of its fishery and current status are generally lacking especially in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS). Information obtained from 23 respondents’ revealed about 20 commonly harvested sea cucumber species within the vicinity of RIWS with volume and sizes been declining over the years. Other than sea cucumber harvesting and processing, each respondent has to engage in another source of income to support their family. Having low educational background and less employment opportunities, the promotion of sustainable sea cucumber fishery in RIWS is vital among the gatherers. Keywords: Palawan, Narra, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, sea cucumber fishery,



Delfin, Mary Tootchie V. and R. G. Dolorosa, 2015. Sea cucumber fishery in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

INTRODUCTION

Sea cucumbers are among the heavily fished reef invertebrates (Jontila et al. 2014; Purcell et al. 2012). Gathering of sea cucumbers and processing into trepang (dried form) remains an important source of livelihood in more than 70 countries worldwide (Purcell et al. 2012). In the Province of Palawan, the harvesting of sea cucumbers remain a common activity but not much information is known about the status of this industry. Overharvesting of sea cucumbers has been reported globally (Purcell et al. 2012) with several species been listed as IUCN threatened thus there is a need to evaluate the status of this fishery industry in Palawan. In this study, we sought to describe the socio-economic condition of the gatherers; identify commonly exploited sea cucumber species in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS), Narra Palawan; determine the historical volume and sizes of sea cucumber processed by the gatherers; and determine the monthly earnings of sea cucumber gatherers in RIWS.

METHODOLOGY

The study was conducted in two barangays (Antipuluan and Malinao) of Narra, Palawan. A total of 23 sea cucumber gatherers were interviewed with the aid of guide questionnaire. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Most (16 or 69.55%) of the respondents fall at age brackets 30-50 years old. The youngest gatherer was 19 and the oldest was 75 years old.The average age of the respondents was 44.17 years old. This implies that the respondents still have long years to live and opportunity to take part in sea cucumber fisheries and other activities moving towards the sustainable utilization of fishery resources in RIWS.

The 23 respondents were dominated by males 17 (72.91%) and only 6 (26.08%) were females (Table 2). Sea cucumber collection involves handpicking at during low tide thus some women could engage in this activity (Schoppe 2000). However, fishing in general is dominated by men and women are tasked in processing the catch. Most of the respondents (20 or 86.95%) were married and the rest were single. Married respondents have to work to support their family. In terms of educational attainment, most of the respondents (82.60%) have elementary education. Respondents with this level of education have limited job opportunities and may require government assistance in terms of skills development t divert or reduce fishing activities. Many of the respondents (39%) belong to the Tagbanua tribal communities whose ancestors had been fishing in RIWS since time immemorial.

The main source of income of the respondents is fishing (12 or 52.16%). Only 6 (26.08%) considered sea cucumber gathering as a primary source of incomepossibly due to population decline of high valued sea cucumbers species in RIWS. Anecdotal remarks from one of the collectors were the abundance of sea cucumbers in RIWS few decades had passed. During those years, it only took few hours to fill the whole banca with large and high valued sea cucumbers. This time, the gatherer has to spend at least 5 hours to fill a bucket with low valued species. Despite of that, sea cucumber gathering is still considered a secondary source of income by majority of the respondents (17 or 73.91%).



The gatherers identified 18 local names of commonly harvested sea cucumbers in

Rasa Island (Table 1). These sea cucumbers were caught through gleaning and breath hold diving. The numbers of commercially harvested sea cucumber can vary between reefs and localities depending on suitability of habitats and degree of exploitation.

Table 1. Species of sea cucumbers collected by the respondents in RIWS.

Number Local name Scientific name 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Dapa Susuan Leopard Sapatos Lipstick Black beauty Red beauty Lawayan Curtido Brown beauty Yellow beauty Susuan Labuyo Patola Piña-piña Red tambor Hanginan Legs

Actinopyga echinities A. lecanora Bohadschia argus B. marmorata Holothuria aff. edulis H. atra H. edulis H. fuscocinera H. scabra Holothuria sp1 Holothuria sp2 Holothuria whitmaei Pearsonothuria graeffei Stichopus hermanii Thelenota anax

When asked to plot the historical volume of their catch in previous and in recent

years, the respondent’s answer showed a declining pattern (Figure 1). The respondents claimed that they can harvest up to about 120 kg per operation in the past compared to only about 3 kg per operation these days (Figure 1). In recent days, the respondents claimed that on the average, they can process about 11.5 (±10.4; Range 2-30) kg of sea cucumbers per week.

Figure 1. Historical volume of sea cucumbers harvested from RIWS as experienced by the respondents.



In terms of sizes, the respondents claimed that they can harvest an average length of 42.41 (± 24.27) cm in the past, while nowadays, only an average of 16.94 (±8.86) cm were caught (Figure 2).

Figure 2.Average length (±sd) of gathered sea cucumbers in RIWS before and now as claimed by the respondents.

The sizes each species of sea cucumbers collected from Rasa Island as claimed by the respondents varied between 10 – 50 cm (Figure 3) and were generally lesser than their reported common and maximum lengths (Purcell et al. 2012).

Figure 3. Current average sizes of collected sea cucumber species in RIWS as claimed by the respondents. Solid circle represents common size; open circle represents maximum size as reported by Purcell et al. 2012.



The respondents had four sources of income and each respondent had two sources,

one of which was sea cucumber gathering and processing. Earnings derived from sea cucumber gathering and processing is comparable with the earnings from farming and as labourer. On the average, the sea cucumber gatherers can have an earning of at least PhP8,000 per month.

Figure 4. Monthly earnings of the respondents

Only 9 or 39.13% of the respondents have suggested on how to possibly promote the sustainable collection of sea cucumbers in RIWS. Suggestions include the prohibition of the following: use of compressor, turning over of rocks, use of traditional poison (tubli), gathering of undersize individuals, and entries of fishers from other municipalities. They also suggest that there is a need for alternative livelihood and propagation and restocking of the species. CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

The dwindling volume of harvested sea cucumber can have serious effects on the livelihood opportunities of the respondents. The respondents have low educational background and are therefore having limited employment opportunities. Efforts to restore the sea cucumber populations and the promotion of its sustainable fishery could be beneficial to the ecosystem and the economy. There is a need of at least a local policy affecting the sustainable harvesting of these species.

REFERENCES Jontilla, J,B,S,, Balisco, R.A.T., and Matillano, J.A. 2014. The Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) of Palawan,

Philippines. AACL Bioflux, 7(3):194-206. Purcell, S.W., Samyn, Y., and Conand, C. 2012. Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world. FAO

Species catalogue for fishery purposes No. 6. Rome, FAO. Schoppe, S. 2000 Sea cucumber fishery in the Philippines. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 13:10-12.


Estrada, Zyvelle Joy G, J.G. Panolino, T.K.A. De Mesa, F.C.B. Abordo, R.N. Labao. 2015. An Ethnozoological Study of the Medicinal Animals Used by the Tagbanua Tribe in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan.

AN ETHNOZOOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE MEDICINAL ANIMALS USED BY THE TAGBANUA TRIBE IN SITIO TABYAY, CABIGAAN,

ABORLAN, PALAWAN

Estrada, Zyvelle Joy G*.; Panolino, Jandi G.; De Mesa, Tarah Katrina A.; Abordo, Francis Carl B.; Labao, Remark N.

Palawan State University

[email protected]/ 09462385733

ABSTRACT

Ethnozoology focuses on how indigenous people utilize animals as alternative sources for medicinal and therapeutic needs. The medicinal use of animals and animal-derived product is known as zootherapy which have always played a role in the healing practice. Central Tagbanuas in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan are believed to be one of the few tribes that still uses zootherapy in their community. This study evaluated the different animals used by the Tagbanuas and the manner on how they practice it. Knowledge related to therapeutic animals is required as a step towards devising strategies for sustainable use of natural resources. Qualitative research design was used in this study by employing descriptive survey method via structured questionnaires by utilizingkey informant interview (KII) and Household Interview (HHI). Thirteen (13) species of animals were enumerated to be used by Tagbanuas, five (5) from which, were found to be endemic in Palawan. Tagbanuas employ animals in different specific ways for therapeutic uses and some of the diseases treated were malaria, cough, rabies, stomach pain, flatulence, ulcer, appendicitis, fever, inflammation, poisoning, kidney failure, inflammation, mumps, and fungal infection. Keywords:ethnozoology, Tagbanua, medicinal animals


mailto:[email protected]/

Estrada, Zyvelle Joy G, J.G. Panolino, T.K.A. De Mesa, F.C.B. Abordo, R.N.Labao. 2015. An Ethnozoological Study of the Medicinal Animals Used by the Tagbanua Tribe in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan.

INTRODUCTION

Ethnozoology is defined as the study of how indigenous people, with respect to their culture, utilize different kinds of animals as alternative sources for medicinal and therapeutic needs.The practice of ethnozoology has been a very familiar traditional way of healing in various ethnic tribes due to inaccessibility of hospitals, lack of attending medical practitioners, illiteracy, unavailability of money, etc., which caused them to formulate medicines from animals to cure diseases. At the present time, there are a limited number of studies in the world pertaining to ethnozoology. Fortunately, in some countries such as Brazil, zootherapy is commonly practiced and enriched. Studies showed that both vertebrates and invertebrates were found to be of great use in treating different diseases. There are many pharmaceutical drugs nowadays that are formulated from animals – using both their parts and products – which cause high socio-economic income both to the Tribes and to the companies that formulate and promote them. Parts such as flesh, bones, teeth, bone marrow, fat, shells; products like milk, butter and honey; and metabolic wastes such as urine and feces were the traditionally utilized parts to be used as cure for diseases such as tuberculosis, rheumatism, asthma, paralysis, muscle pain, and gastrointestinal-related diseases. Due to these advantages, the urge of finding and collecting these animals increased. Lovejoy (1997) stated that, angiotensin I, for example, is an antihypertensive derived from the Brazilian arrowhead viper Bothrops jararaca, brought the Squibb Company US $1.3 billion a year in sales and contributed to the well-being and longevity of millions of people. Marques (1996) said that, today, from 252 essential chemicals that have been selected by the World Health Organization, 11.1% have plant origins, while 8.7% come from animals. Marques also stated that in Brazil, animal species have been medicinally used by indigenous society for millennia and by descendants of the European settlers for the last four centuries.

Tagbanuas, one of the major ethnolinguistic groups in Palawan, are believed to be practicing zootherapy in their community in treating diseases both internally and externally such as: allergy, asthma, diarrhea, headache, rheumatism, skin diseases, vomiting, digestive problems, urinary obstruction, etc., ever since the ancient times. Since the field of ethnozoology is not yet explored in the Philippines, especially in Palawan, knowing that there are lots of ethnolinguistic groups present, there is an ultimate need to discover and preserve the traditional knowledge of these tribes when it comes to traditional healing.

In accordance to this, this research study was established to provide baseline and preliminary data regarding Ethnozoological practices of the Tagbanua tribe in Sitio Tabyay, Cabigaan, Aborlan in treating different diseases occurring in their community as well as the manner on how they practice it. Wildlife conservation was also be given emphasis in this study as there were different animal species classified to be endemic in Palawan and endangered nowadays based on the Internationa Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list classification.



METHODOLOGY Research Locale and Research Respondents

Sitio Tabyay, Barangay Cabigaan, in the Municipality of Aborlan is found in the Southern part of Palawan. It is a mountainous area and an hour drive away from Puerto Princesa City.

Central Tagbanuas in Palawan are composed of almost twenty thousand (20, 000) citizens. The Municipality of Aborlan houses the most number of Central Tagbanuas and most of these Tagbanuas are found in Sitio Tabyay, Barangay Cabigaan.Barangay Cabigaan has a total of two thousand one hundred forty nine (2149) residents. Two hundred ninety five (295) residents or a total of Sixty six (66) Tagbanua households are found in Sitio Tabyay which all served as respondents of this study. Research Procedures

To acquire ethnozoological information about animal and their products used in traditional medicine, by the Tagbanua, this study was conducted in Sitio Tabyay, Barangay Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan. The ethnomedicinal data pertaining to the local name of animals, mode of preparation and administration were collected through semi-structured questionnaire. Key informants were selected based experience, recognition as expert and knowledge old aged person concerning traditional medicine. They were asked, about the ailments cured by animal based medicines and the manner in which the medicines were prepared and administered. The conservation status of the animals were evaluated using the IUCN red list. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

The results of the study revealed that there were thirteen (13) animal species found to be utilized by the Tagbanuas. These species were used to treat nineteen (19) different diseases enumerated and shown in Table 1.

Table 1. Ethnozoological inventory of the Tagbanua Tribe.

Zoological Name; Local Name; Family Name and Tagbanua Name

Parts Used

Diseases Treated

Mode of Application/Usage

Parts Used

Other Uses as Utilized by Tagbanuas

Common House Lizard; Butiking bahay; ‘Seksek’

1 whole

Asthma

The whole part of house lizard must be dried, powdered and immersed in water before drinking.

None

None

Goat; Kambing; (Bovidae); ‘Kambing’

Feces

Asthma; Stomach pain; Loose Bowel Movement

Seven (7) pellets from the goat’s feces must be collected, toasted, pulverized, mixed with a glass of warm water and then drank in order for the patient to be treated.

Small Bone

Used for babies to cease or stop crying by wrapping bones within the baby’s shirt.



Honey Bee; Bubuyog; (Apidae); ‘Buyong’

1 whole

Mumps; Stomach pain

Seven (7) honeybees must be ingested by a patient as a form of medication. This is done by first toasting the bee, then pulverizing it and finally mixing it in a glass of full warm water.

None

None

Monkey; Unggoy; (Hylobatidae); ‘Bakes’

Meat

Asthma

The meat could be cooked in any form and be consumed by the patient without limitations continuously until his/her asthma stops.

None

None

Native Chicken; Manok; ‘Upa(Hen) Lungbo(Rooster)’

Meat Appendicitis; Kidney failure

Meat is cooked in any form and must be eaten by the patient.

None

None

Palawan Porcupine; Durian; (Hystricidae); ‘Dugian’

Meat

Malaria; Any skin diseases; Asthma; Poisoning

It could be eaten raw or cooked – depending upon the preference of the patient.

None

None.

Palawan Stink Badger; Pantot; (Mephitidae); ‘Sado’

Fart

Asthma; Leprosy; Malaria; Cough

It is part of the Tagbanua beliefs that the fart can treat diseases through smelling.

Bile

Used to attract a mate through making a love potion “gayuma” by putting in a small container full of water and then drank by the person someone wants to attract.

Liver; Bile; Meat

Asthma; Malaria; Cough

Liver, bile and meat must be cooked and/or could be eaten raw, depending upon the patient’s preference.

Bile; Meat

Used for body and lungs reinforcement. It Could be cooked or eaten raw depending upon the patient.

Philippine Forest Turtle; Pagong; (Geoemytidae); ‘Bayuo’

Meat

Asthma; Malaria; Ulcer; Fever

The meat of the turtle could be eaten cooked and/or raw depending upon the preference of the patient.

Broth Used to help mother during parturition. Broth must be boiled and could be given as a drink to a mother during parturition.



Philippine Milk Termite; Anay, Putting Langgam; (Rhinotermitidae); ‘Anay’

1 whole

Any skin diseases

A cup of termites must be toasted, pulverized, and mixed with a cup of vinegar and stored. Then, it must be applied to the infected area of the skin as frequent as possible.

None

None

Philippine Pangolin; Balintong; (Manidae); ‘Tanggiling’

Meat

Gastrointestinal diseases; Inflammation; Flatulence(usog); Asthma; Ulcer

Could be consumed raw, boiled or cooked.

Scale

Used as a countermeasure against aswang by wrapping the scales in the shirt and then worn by the patient.

Reticulated Python; Sawa; (Phtonidae); ‘Biyay’

Skin (Oil)

Stomach pain

The skin must be heated until the oil come out and must be applied to the abdominal region.

Skin (Oil)

Oils from heated snakes skin must be applied every morning.It makes the hair grow longer.

Bile

Fever; Asthma; Rabies; Body fatigue;

The bile could be eaten raw, yet it is much preferred to be boiled for ten (10) minutes before eating.

Bile

Used to attract a mate through making a love potion “gayuma”. Bile must be put to a small container full of water and must be drunk by the person someone wishes to attract.

Street Dog; Askal; (Canidae); ‘Ke’deng’

Blood

Asthma

The blood will be just simply extracted out from the dog and will be drunk glass-full.

None

None

Water Monitor Lizard; Bayawak; (Varanidae); ‘Bayawak’

Meat’s Oil

White fungal spot on Skin (alap-ap)

Meat must be heated until the oil come out before administering to the patient through applying it on the infected area of the skin.

Meat

For body reinforcement. It could be cooked or eaten raw depending upon the patient.

Five (5) species, were found to be endemic in Palawan namely the: Honeybee,

Palawan Porcupine, Palawan Stink Badger, Philippine Pangolin and the Water Monitor Lizard. Two (2) species were classified to be still vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which are the Palawan Porcupine and the Reticulated Python. Common House Lizard, Goat, Honeybee, Native Chicken, Palawan Stink Badger, Philippine Milk Termite, and the Street Dog belong to the seven (7) identified least concerned species. The three (3) identified endangered species were the Monkey, Philippine Pangolin, and the Water Monitor Lizard. The only critically endangered species utilized by the Tagbanuas is the Philippine Forest Turtle.




The Tagbanuas in Sitio Tabyay utilize different animal species in treating different diseases in their community namely the; Common House Lizard, Goat, Honeybee, Monkey, Native Chicken, Palawan Porcupine, Palawan Stink Badger, Philippine Forest Turtle, Philippine Milk Termite, Philippine Pangolin, Reticulated Python, Street Dog, and the Water Monitor Lizard. Drinking, drying, boiling, toasting, pulverizing, cooking, and rubbing in the skin were the listed different ways employed by Tagbanuas in preparing and applying these animals as medicines for the different diseases mostly occurring in their community.

Thirteen (13) animal species were identified in this study. Five (5) from which, were found to be endemic in Palawan namely the: Honeybee, Palawan Porcupine, Palawan Stink Badger, Philippine Pangolin and the Water Monitor Lizard. Two (2) species were classified to be still vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) which are the Palawan Porcupine and the Reticulated Python. Common House Lizard, Goat, Honeybee, Native Chicken, Palawan Stink Badger, Philippine Milk Termite, and the Street Dog belong to the seven (7) identified least concerned species.

The three (3) identified endangered species were the Monkey, Philippine Pangolin, and the Water Monitor Lizard. The only critically endangered species utilized by the Tagbanuas is the Philippine Forest Turtle, in which if abused, could lead to a serious threat in wildlife conservation. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that ethnozoology of other tribes in Palawan be explored that could be useful in the management plan for the wildlife in Palawan. Further studies validating the effectivity of the animals utilized for their medicinal purposes can also be conducted. REFERENCES Alves, et al., (2010). An ethnozoological survey of medicinal animals commercialized in the markets of

Campina Grande, NE Brazil. Human Ecology Review, Vol. 17, No. 1, 2010 Del Valle, Y. et al., (2015). Cultural significance of wild mammals in Mayan and Mestizo communities of the

Lacandon Rainforest, Chiapas, Mexico: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine (2015) 11:36:DOI 10.1186/s13002-015-0021-7

Diaz, P. B., (2011). Ehrlich, P. R. & Ehrlich, A. H. (1992). The value of biodiversity. Ambio 21(3), 219-226. Jaroli, D.P., Mahawar, M.M., & Vyas, N. (2010). An ethnozoological study in the adjoining areas of Mount Abu

wildlife sanctuary, India: Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine 2010: doi:10.1186/1746-4269-66 Johannes, R. E. (1993). Integrating traditional ecological knowledge and management with environmental

impact assessment. In J. T. Inglis (ed.), TraditionalEcological Knowledge: Concepts and Cases, 33-39. Ottawa: International Program on Traditional Ecological Knowledge and International Development Research

Centre. Joshua Project, Asia Missions, 2015. Kakati, L.N.& Duolo, V. (2002). Indigenous Knowledge System of Zootherapeutic Use by Chakhesang Tribe of

Nagaland, India: J. Hum. Ecol., 13(6) 419-423 (2002). Lovejoy, T. E. (1997). Biodiversity, what is it? In M. L. Reaka-Kudla, D. E.Wilson And E. O. Wilson (eds.),

Biodiversity II: Understanding and Protecting ourBiological Resources. 7-14. Washington, D.C.: Joseph Henry Press.

Verma, et al., (2014). Traditional Healing With Animals (Zootherapy) By The Major Ethnic Group Of Karbi Anglong District Of Assam, India: International Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences ISSN- 0975-1491.


Gonzales, James Aljed M. and Tito J.A. 2015. The Cause of Extinction of Tagbanwa Writing in Bgy.Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan.

THE CAUSE OF EXTINCTION OF TAGBANWA WRITING IN BGY.CABIGAAN, ABORLAN, PALAWAN

James Aljed M. Gonzales1*, Jasmine A. Tito2

1Bachelor of Secondary Education major in MAPEH College of Teacher Education - Palawan State University

Bgy. Tiniguiban, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines 2DepEd Teacher I, Isugod National High School-Maasin Extension

*[email protected]

ABSTRACT

An interview to members of Tagbanwa natives in Bgy.Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan focused on the cause of extinction of Tagbanwa writing was conducted to determine their socio-cultural characteristic and to understand the importance of Tagbanwa writing today in preservation of Tagbanwa culture and tradition. The Tagbanwa writing (surat) was used for writing their riddle (egem), story (toltol), songs (oyman/dagoy) love letters and even in electing government officials during elections until around 1970’s. The Tagbanwa script have three vowels (3) (o,a,e) and thirteen (13) consonants that have inherent vowel (a) (la,ma,da,ga,ta,na,ka,ba,sa,pa,ya,nga,wa) that can be modified to (e) and (o) in addition of diatric called “olitan” which will be placed above and below respectively. Results of the study showed that the Tagbanwa writing lost its function in communication and the children did not learn how the Tagbanwa writings are the factors that made it extinct. The school has introduced the modern alphabet, and the growing population of the Dewan or non-Tagbanuas who settled in Cabigaan lowered the self-esteem of the Tagbanwas is another factor. Sergio Sangpet a 75 years old Tagbanwa from Bgy.Magbabadil, Aborlan is the only known Tagbanwa who knows how to write the native writing. The lost of action of the concern agencies and the Tagbanwa people will lead to its total extinction. Writing is a human technology for communication and it represents the language and emotion of an individual through inscription of letter, signs or symbols. Preserving their culture and tradition should also include preserving their writings. Keywords: SuratTagbanwa, Diatric”olitan”, Dewan, dialect extinction, Tagbanwa psychological condition, modern alphabet



INTRODUCTION

The Tagbanwa, Tagbanuwa or Tagbanua comes from the word tagabanuwa meaning from the mainland (Jagmis 2009). Like any other ethnolinguisticTagbanwa has its own system of writing and one of the only native systems of writing that has survived (Macansantos 2015)but now is now bound for extinction. Tagbanwanatives are of Malay origin, in particular, Indonesian. They are medium-built and brown-complexioned (Jagmis2009).

According to our National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal, “our native languageis like any other that has its own alphabet and letters, but was vanished as if the sudden big storm had stuck the boat in a lake in past long age”. History tells us that the Spaniards destroyed not only the gods or anitos of early Filipino but also the writings that inscribed in the stones, or barks of trees that set their laws. In the poem the sudden big storm was identified as the Spaniards who destroyed and made the ancient writing lost through the introduction of new form of writings. Contrary to that the Tagbanwa manage to preserve them and identify as one of the only native systems of writing that has survived (Macansantos 2015) but the new storm drives it to its eradication. That is the motivation of this study to identify the cause of extinction of Tagbanwa writing inBgy.Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan.

Bgy. Cabigaan is a diverse place for Tagbanwa; it is the ancestral domain of Tagbanwa for almost hundreds of years and remained its rich natural resources (Jagmis2009) this is why migrant settlers came in Bgy. Cabigaan, forcing the Tagbanwasto leave and build new settlement than to be with the migrant settler or “dewan”. Nowadays, the Dewans and the Tagbanwas live together in some sitios or purok. CabigaanTagbanwa though made their ways to be recognized and to preserve their way of life in this generation of changing lives. The CabigaanTagbanwa,one of the ethnic groups of Palawan, has rich cultural and literaryheritage which includes the ethnoepicPala’isgen(Villarosa2006), they have distinct music from other Tagbanwa as described by Tagbanwa Master Gloria Emag. The Tagbanwaare also actively involved in provincial and national festivals such asDayaw festival and cultural night inRakudan festival in Palawan. The School for Living Traditions (SLT) Phase I of NCCA is only implemented in Bgy. Cabigaan through the proposals of concern Tagbanwa leaders from the rest of Aborlan and other Tagbanwa communities. The SLT aims to tap the youth in the critical stage of cultural transmission to the new generation of Tagbanwa.However, Tagbanwa are judged asilliterate people, second class, or low class.There seems to be a missing piece of Tagbanwa identity that is needed to give a prior attention, it is their writings that proves their indigenous knowledge is of different context. This may lead to the different picture of how people look at the Tagbanwa today.

The researchers selected Bgy.Cabigaan, Aborlan, Palawan as research site based on the following criteria identified in the community(Villarosa 2006), there are many Tagbanwalive in the Cabigaan because it is their home for hundreds of years ago. This made the observation of their culture possible as well as the familiarity of the researchers to the place.And before many Tagbanwa who knows how to write their ancient Tagbanwa ABC’s lived and died there some of them has just recently died. The researchers was motivated to study and learn the Tagbanwa script as they learned that Tagbanwamanaged to preserve the Baybayin script, each with their own variation (Lowe2014) but they did not observe it in their community where the place is one of the ancestral domains of Tagbanwa and large Tagbanwa live there, thus this study isto describe to possible causes of extinction of Tagbanwa writing in BgyCabigaan.



METHODOLOGY

This study used ethnographic and descriptive method of qualitative research. The descriptive method was used in identifying the Tagbanwa writing(SuratTagbanwa) while theethnographic method was used in gathering information about the Tagbanua focus on the extinction of Tagbanwa writing in Cabigaaan. Thespecific ethnographic or fieldwork techniques that were employed were observation andunstructured interview(Villarosa2006).

The information about the Tagbanwa writing was gathered through interviews with the keyinformants who were selected based on the following criteria developed by Tremblay (cited bySocrates1993) and (cited by Villarosa2006):

1. Role in the community. The role of the informant in the community should exposehim/her to the nature of the community being studied.

2. Knowledge. The informant should also have knowledge of the information about thecommunity.

3. Willingness. The informant must be willing to share his/her knowledge to theresearcher. There were twenty (20) key informants from the said locality who were significant in

providingthe needed data in this study. This number included six(6)males and fourteen (14) females.

The researchers gathered the information about their educational attainment, their livelihood, and the usage of writing before, why they did not learn their native script through unstructured interviews with the informants. The interviews wereconducted in Filipino since the informants could also speak in the said language but other natives could not understand Filipino the researchers can speak and understand Tagbanwa. To validate the data gathered, the researchers read the information about the Tagbanwa tothe key informants.The informants confirmed that what the researcher had written. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The SuratTagbanwa

The researchers sought first the permission of Mr. Sergio Sangpet because it was he who knows how to write the Tagbanwa writing, and to be a base of other script if there any to be identified in Brgy. Cabigaan, unfortunately there was none who knows how to write; elders who knows the writings were dead already.Mr. Sangpet a 75 years old Tagbanwa who has live in Magbabadil, Aborlan, Palawan. Was actively teaching the writings to other Tagbanwa but unfortunately because of health condition and Tagbanwa seems did not interested the Tagbanwasurat is still in great place of total extinction. He is able to learn it from his Father,LintonSangpet, his father said to him” You need to learn how to write our script, this is our writings” and as of this time he can write script. Mr. Sangpet was identified by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) as a native of Palawan who knows how to write the Tagbanwa ABC’s.

Writing of the SuratTagbanwa

The SuratTagbanwa is written from left to right horizontally on a piece of paper with the use of ball pen.



Figure 1. SuratTagbanwa

Translation of SuratTagbanwa

Figure 2 SuratTagbanwa with translation (above) and the name of Tagbanwasurat writer, |si li yo| or Sergio (below).

The Tagbanwa script have three vowels (3) (o,a,e) and thirteen (13) consonants that have inherent vowel (a) (la,ma,da,ga,ta,na,ka,ba,sa,pa,ya,nga,wa) that can be modified to (e) and (o) in addition of diatric called “olitan” which will be placed above and below respectively, the symbol | | is called “penagtongaan” itseparate the word or group of words as shown in figure 2.

The causes of SuratTagbanwa extinction

Based on the responses of twenty(20) elders in the community who arecommon Tagbanwa elders and arebonafide resident in Cabigaan, Aborlan,Palawan, the following causes of writing extinction of SuratTagbanwa were determined:

1. The elders do not teach their children how to write. They said elders before showed them how to write the script and asked them to hand the letters to their relatives but they did not teach them.

2. The children have no interest in learning the script. According to them they are relying on their expected learning that they will obtain in the formal school “why study the script, we have this formal school, that will teach us how to write ABC’s”.

3. The formal education introduced new system of writing. Almost the entire informant went to school and as a learner they are expected to do what the teacher wants them to do, one of the first lessons is writing and writing their names will be in the modern alphabet form of writing.



4. The arrival of migrants or “dewan”who converted the plains into rice paddies drove the Tagbanwa from their homes to seek refuge in the mountains (Jagmis2009) growing population of the Dewan or non-Tagbanuas who settled in Cabigaan lowered the self-esteem of the Tagbanwas and the flow of communication has gradually change until now.Tagbanwa children are fluently speaking in Tagalog or Filipino, this also made the learning of SuratTagbanua not a priority for the Tagbanwa people.

SuratTagbanwais used to write Tagbanwa riddle (egem), story (toltol), songs (oyman/dagoy) love letters and even in electing government officials during national and local elections until around 1970’s as observed by Mrs. Gonzales and MangOtor. They said “there was a script interpreter to the elder because they cannot write in alphabet”. As of this day, these elder do not know how to write the Tagbanwa script.

The UN declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People states in the article 14 no.1 indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching. Learning no.3 likewise highlights that “States shall, in conjunction with indigenous people, take effective measures, in order for indigenous individuals, particularly children, to have access, when possible, to an education in their own culture and provided in their own language”. And in chapter 1: general provisions under RA 8371: The indigenous People Rights Act (IPRA) c) the state shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of ICCs/ IPs to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions and institutions. Thus, there should be a collective effort from the community itself, driven by appreciation, needs and importance of reviving the language for the present and the future generation. The government, through appropriate agency should likewise provide the support system needed by the community before its too late.

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This study determined the reasons of possible extinction of Tagbanwa writing as the following:

1. TheTagbanwa script particularly in Brgy. Cabigaandoes not exist anymore because of external and internal factors. The different context of education that the government gives and the continuous migrant settlers in Cabigaanaffects the way of life of Tagbanwa. Moreover internal factor that Tagbanwa needs to address are some of the Tagbanwa elders themselves lost their hope in making their ways alive and just recently realize the importance of their indigenous knowledge.

2. The purpose of sustaining the development in Tagbanwascript that is one of their identities on preserving their culture is being eradicated.

3. The Tagbanwa script has lost its function in communication of Tagbanwaand these scripts are in danger of disappearing because of cultural contamination (Santos 1995-96).

There was no illiterate Tagbanwa, they just lost the capacity of passing some of their indigenous knowledge like writing with the described factors of extinction as stated in this study. If they can learn it again, it will be distinct culture to them and it will bring consciousness and pride.It will also raise the awareness to all Palaweñoswho has perseverance in preserving their culture and tradition up to this day. This study will also be a basis of many concern agencies to other Tagbanwa community all over Palawan for socio-cultural action regarding the sudden extinction of their indigenous knowledge, tradition and culture.



The researchers recommend the prompt actions and response from the government

and private sectors to bring back this indigenous script which we have continuous use for almost a millennium ( Santos1995-96 ) and just because of the changing lives of our day for just a blink of an eye will vanish away.

Accurate government response and social action should take effectively from all of the concern agencies and individuals especially the Tagbanwa people in order to revive their writing elevating it from total extinction. REFERENCES Bayuga, Rosy May.1989.A TagbanuaLegacy:Histoty of Palawan National Agricultural College.publisher:

Palawan National Agricultural College. Jagmis, Noel Sr.2009.tagbanuwa of Palawan.National Commission for Culture and the Arts UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.Tebtebba No.1 Roman Ayson Road 2600 Baguio City

Philippines. Printed in the Philippines by Valley Printing Specialist Baguio city, Philippines.12p. Lowe Aya.Fighting to keep alive the Philippines’ ancient script. 2014. http://www.thenational.ae/world/southeast-asia/fighting-to-keep-alive-the-philippines-ancient-script.November

2015 Macansantos ,F. C; Macansanto,P.S. 2015.http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-

sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/. Accessed November 2015 Santos, Hector. "Our Living Scripts" in A Philippine Leaf at http://www.bibingka.com/dahon/living/living.htm.

US, January 31, 1997.accessed November 2015 Sembrano,Edgar Allan M .Philippine Daily Inqurer.2014. http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/169646/ust-documents-in-

ancient-baybayin-script-declared-a-national-cultural-treasurehttp://lifestyle.inquirer.net/169646/ust-documents-in-ancient-baybayin-script-declared-a-national-cultural-treasure.Accessed November2015.

Villarosa, Jonalyn. 2006. Making Literature Alive: A Closer Look at Pala’isgen, aTagbanuaEthnoepic. Paper presented at TenthInternational Conference on Austronesian Linguistics. 1720January 2006. Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.http://www.sil.org/asia/philippines/ical/papers.html


http://www.bibingka.com/dahon/hector/hector.htm

http://www.thenational.ae/world/southeast-asia/fighting-to-keep-alive-the-philippines-ancient-script.November%202015

http://www.thenational.ae/world/southeast-asia/fighting-to-keep-alive-the-philippines-ancient-script.November%202015

http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/

http://ncca.gov.ph/subcommissions/subcommission-on-the-arts-sca/literary-arts/philippine-literature-in-the-spanish-colonial-period/

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/169646/ust-documents-in-ancient-baybayin-script-declared-a-national-cultural-treasure

http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/169646/ust-documents-in-ancient-baybayin-script-declared-a-national-cultural-treasure

http://www.sil.org/asia/philippines/ical/papers.html

EXTENDED ABSTRACT

SESSION 3 ENVIRONMENTAL/ NATURAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT,

TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION AND CLIMATE CHANGE STUDIES


Bacosa, C.A. Jr., A.S. Reyno, and G.B. Guardacasa. 2015. Cut Slope Stability Analysis And Mitigation Of Northern Palawan National Road.

CUT SLOPE STABILITY ANALYSIS AND MITIGATION OF NORTHERN PALAWAN NATIONAL ROAD

Cesario A. Bacosa , Jr, Ph.D* 1, Antonio S. Reyno, Ph.D 2, and Garry B. Guardacasa 3

1 Dean and Professor IV, College of Engineering and Technology, Holy Trinity University, Puerto

Princesa City. Email: [email protected](09128323790 / 09064731918) 2 DOST-Balik Scientist, Philippines and Professor of Engineering, University Technology Sydney,

Australia3 Registered Civil Engineer, Holy Trinity University, Puerto Princesa City.

ABSTRACT

This study used a physical experiment to clarify the mechanisms by which these factors contribute to the occurrence of Rockslide/landslides. Slope stability analysis made using finite analysis method, wedge failure, circular failure; Stability Analysis with seepage force considering all parameters indicated the cut slope is susceptible. Factor of safety or stability factors were analyzed as unstable or susceptible against sliding, overturning and bearing capacity. The slope is steep to very steep composed of silt, siltstone, sandstone and sandy gravel soil which predominantly low plastic behavior, potential swell, intermediately expansive and absorbed water, low strength, low resistance, low deformation and rupture, and its capacity to change shape without altering its volume is relatively low, low conductivity. It has a possibility of rotational slides when saturation effects occurred at different predicted failure plane. Water infiltrates the pores between infilling materials and sandstone cracks, prone to slide when high water pore pressure occurs. Keywords: Slope Stability, Road cut slope, Slope Mitigations, Seepage force, Rockslides



Bacosa, C.A. Jr., A.S. Reyno, and G.B. Guardacasa. 2015. Cut Slope Stability Analysis and Mitigation of Northern Palawan National Road

INTRODUCTION Road cut slopes along Northern Palawan national road is highly problematic and prone to rockslide/landslides. In high rainfall intensity erosion by water during the rainy season is responsible for active sliding. (Duncan, 2000)Infiltration by water which results in loss of strength is another responsible factor. Roads and highways have a pervasive effect on social, economic, energy, environmental and land-use issues (Daizo, 2008). To date the road constructions has been a highly problematic to the Civil Engineers .It was affected by geological conditions and the environments as well the climate change or called global warming ,however road construction is a challenge for civil engineers to create a access roads safe and accessible for transportation (Hunge et al., 2000) . An improperly maintained road can also represent an increased safety hazard to the user, leading to more accidents, with their associated human and property costs. In line with observation that the most of the Northern Palawan road cut slopes is prone to landslides/Rockslides that will be hazardous to human and transportation as well. METHODOLOGY This study used the single – group design of Physical experimental method of research. The materials used in the study were composed of soil and rocks sample from the site stratified areas. This study used the standard procedure of materials selection and testing of the three (3) sets of samples taken from toe, middle and head of the cut slopes. The selected the materials for the study such as the soil and rocks taken randomly from road cut slope along Northern Palawan national road as identified. The researcher travelled from Puerto Princesa City to Elnido, Palawan and identified most critical road cut slope areas. The following were the selected areas for study and analysis Km 78, Km 80 and Km 83 of the Northern Palawan national road. Figure1. Km 83 as third identified critical area.


Topography and Road Elevation. The existing cut slope topography on which the maximum elevations of the slope are 20 m to 23 m respectively above the road Pavement and the grade line profile elevation of the road was + 5.09% to + 7.05 % grade elevations. Road Cut Slope Angles.



The angle of slope is 25° along STA 78 + 300 the slope is steep because of its slope

angle in between 18 – 27 °. The angle of slope of STA 80 + 200 and STA 78+700 very steep slope because of its slopes of 28° and 31° is in between 28 – 45 °. Infilling soil and pulverized sand stone/siltstone Properties and Behaviors

1. Based on Unified Soil Classification System, the materials on the cut slopes classifies as CL/ML which are predominantly low to medium plastic silt clayey very fine sand and including siltstone / sandstones . This indicates that soil is high non - plastic in nature and predominantly low to medium plasticity.

2. The liquid limit of ranging 11 to 23 and its average of 15.06 < 50 shows that the slope materials has low liquid , classified as non-plastic or semi solids state, and low potential swell.

3. Pulverized Sandstone, Siltstone and soil plastic limit ranging 11 percent to 16 percent all throughout the slope and the mean plastic limit of 14.29 percent indicate that it has low of materials transitions between brittle and plastic behavior.

4. Slope materials average water content of 26.15 percent, indicates that had low conductivity of water.

5. Materials plasticity index of the slide materials ranging from 0.50 percent to 7 percent and the mean plasticity index is 3.77 < 25 indicates that the materials had low potential swell and low plasticity because of its PI < 20 . This implies that the plasticity index has proven to be one of the most useful of all indices and is essential to the description of a cohesive soil. The lower the plasticity index the lower will be the volume change characteristics. 6. The slope materials cohesions and angle of internal friction were also tested in dry and wet condition. Materials have cohesive properties difficult to break apart when dry. This clearly defines, when water added to soils, water plays a vital role in soil cohesion because of its surface tension that provides a weak bond among the soil grains to cause cohesion, water infiltrations within specified permeability rate of k(average) = 1.76x10-5. Cut slope Stability Analysis The factor of safety, FS the ratio of shear strength to shear stress or ratio of resistance to sliding to sliding force. The cut slope, based on slope stability analysis made using finite analysis method considering all the STA 78 +300 of the cut slope is susceptible or prone to slide wither the materials is dry or wet condition( FS = 0.97 > 0.70 <1.0) for dry condition and ( FS = 0.84 > 0.70 < 1.0) for wet condition. The STA 80 + 200 cut slope is also prone or susceptible to landslide when wet condition (FS = 0.95 > 0.70 < 1.0) and the STA 83 + 700 is also susceptible to Rockslide because of its FS wet condition of 0.98 > 0.70 but less than 1.0. The results of circular failure slope stability analysis on STA 78 +300 is stable at dry condition when circular plane failure is predicted ( FS = 1.25 > 1.20) , however the slope is marginally stable or slight possibility of circular slip when saturated condition ( 1.08 > 1.0 < 1.20).

The Circular failure slope stability analysis on the STA 80+200 is marginally stable at dry condition (FS = 1.09 < 1.20) when circular plane failure is predicted. The results of circular failure slope stability analysis on the STA 83 + 700 of cut slope is stable at dry condition when circular plane failure is predicted ( Fs = 1.25 > 1.2) , however the slope is susceptible to circular slip at saturated condition (Fs = 0.97< 0.70 > 1.0). This implies that cut



slope is stable at dry condition and it is susceptible and prone to circular slip or rotational slides when saturation effects occurred at different predicted failure plane and the areas is no longer safe for possible landslide/rock fall in the future during heavy rain downpour. CONCLUSIONS This Paper concludes that the three identified areas were in critical conditions and prone to rockslide and landslide especially during wet or saturated condition. The site pavement failures occur due to massive soil and rock movements due to unpredicted soil and rock behavior. RECOMMENDATIONS The type of analysis and appropriate remediation or mitigating measure is determined by the triggering mechanism. Stability can also be enhanced by providing a retaining structure at the toe of the landslide, or when the volume of soil mass is reduced by benching or placing berms A simple reconfiguration or realignment of the drainage line may be sufficient to arrest further road slips / landslide. Several parameters were seen as important in selecting engineering measures for soil slope stabilization. Due to the intense precipitation in the area, a flexible and freely-draining retaining structure can be a cost-effective solution and alternative to the conventional (massive) concrete retaining wall, or riprap. The use of gabion facing, particularly to mitigate scouring and erosion is also advantageous and Soil nailing. Options for rock slopes include the use of rock anchors, Rock nailing rock nets and shotcreting with rock bolts. Shotcreting or concrete spray can be used when the rock slope is generally stable. Vegetation of endemic Plants is also recommended. POLICY IMPLICATIONS The results and data implies that the government units both local and national government agency should consider the issues of Landslide hazards, other agency like DPWH and other environmental agencies should look into considerations the natural built environment before implementing the projects. This means that environmental and infrastructure policies should be amended. REFERENCES Chester B. Beaty. The Effect of Moisture on Slope Stability: A Classic Example fromSouthernAlberta,

Canada.Vol. 80, No. 3. University of Chicago Press .(May,1972), pp. 362-366 Chok, Y.H., Kaggwa, W.S., Jaksa, M.B. and Griffiths, D.V. (2003) “Modelling the Effects of Vegetation on

Stability of Slopes”. Proc. 9th Australia- New Zealand Conference on Geomechanics, Auckland, pp. 391-397.

Daizo Tsutsumi and Masaharu Fujita. Relative importance of slope material properties and timing of rainfall for the occurrence of landslide. International Journal of Erosion Control Engineering, vol 1. No. 2, Kyoto, Japan. 2008.

Duncan, J. (2000) “Factors of Safety and Reliability in Geotechnical Engineering”, Journal ofGeotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering, Vol. 126, No:4, .307- 316.

Fell, R., Hungre, O., Leroueil, S. and Riemer, W. (2000) “Geotechnical Engineering of Stability of Natural Slopes and Cuts and Fills”. Keynote Lecture. Proc.Geo Eng 2000, pp.21-120, Melbourne.

Harpe C. F. S.: Landslides and Related Phenomena. A Study of Mass Movements of Soil and Rock. Columbia Univo Press, New York, 137 pp., 1938.

Jose F. Calderon and Expectation C. Gonzales. Methods of Research and Thesis Writing. (Manila: National Book Store,Inc.,1993).



M.C Larsen. Rainfall- triggered landslides, anthropogenichazards, and mitigation strategies.U.S geological

survey, Reston USA. 2008. Nathanail C.P., Earle D.A. & Hudson J.A. (1992). A stability hazard indicator system for slope failures in

heterogeneous strata. Proc. Symp. ISRM EUROCK'92. Chester, UK. ed. Hudson J.A. publ. British Geotechnical Society, London. Rickli , C. Analyses of shallow landslides triggered off by heavy rainfall in Switzerland: a comparison

between different case studies. 2nd swiss geoscience meeting, Lausanne, 2004. Terzaghi K. - Mechanism of Landslides. In Engineering Geology (Berkel) Volume. Ed. TheGeological

Society of America~ New York, 1950. Schuster R. L. &Krizek R. J. Ed., Landslides, analysis and control.Transportation Research Board Sp.

Rep. No.176, Nat. Acad. of Sciences, pp. 11–33,


Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. 2015. Site Characterization of Taytay, Palawan, Philippines Rainfall Triggered Shallow Landslide.

SITE CHARACTERIZATION OF TAYTAY, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES RAINFALL

TRIGGERED SHALLOW LANDSLIDE

Cesario A. Bacosa, Jr, Ph.D

Professor IV and Dean, College of Engineering and Technology Holy Trinity University, Puerto Princesa City 5300 , Palawan , Philippines

Tel No: +63 -048-433-2161 local 245; Fax No: +63-048-433-2161 local 265 *email: [email protected] / [email protected]

ABSTRACT Throughout Palawan, almost all areas near hillsides or mountain slopes are threatened by landslides caused by heavy rainfall during rainy and typhoon season, and soil physical properties. Rainfall – triggered landslides are part of a natural process of hill slope erosion that can result in catastrophic loss of life and extensive property damage in mountainous, densely populated areas. This paper presents the tragic loss of 6 lives in the Taytay, Palawan, Philippine landslide attracted a lot of Philippine local and national media attention and with it a lot of speculations and rumors as to what caused the slide after 3 days heavy rain and typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng in 2009. This study revealed the hydrological – triggering mechanisms and rainfall thresholds of landslides in adjoining hills with permeable organic clay soil and mudstone. Site investigation and characterization were conducted to inspect the surface structures and to obtain geotechnical properties of slope materials. In the hill slope with the impermeable mudstone, the hydraulic discontinuity beneath mudstone thin clay soil layer causes a transient positive pressure head that generates a saturated storm flow. An analysis of the relationship between the magnitude of rainfall and hill slope instability provides a rainfall threshold for land sliding. The site – specific combination of rainfall intensity and duration incorporates geotechnical properties of hill slope materials and slope hydrological processes. Keywords: Shallow Landslide, Slope Stability, Rainfall Triggered, Site Characterization.


mailto:[email protected]%20/%[email protected]


INTRODUCTION `Climate research indicates that one can expect more extreme weather in the future, leading to increased flooding, landslides, erosion, scour, rock falls and landslide [Hungre et al, 2000]. Landslides occur on any terrain given the right conditions of soil, moisture,and the angle of slope. Integral to the natural process of the earth's surface geology, landslides serve to redistribute soil and sediments in a process that can be in abrupt collapses or in slow gradual [ Finn, 1987]. Soil slips is a way and a process that is associated with the phenomenon cause by forces of nature its cause and effects. Most cut slopes and hill slopes is prone to landslides and rock fall that will be hazardous to human and possible cause of the loss of life as well [Coromias, and Moya, 1999]. Rainfall-triggered landslides are part of a natural process of hill slope erosion and are affected by various factors such as rainfall characteristics, soil strength and hydraulic properties that can result catastrophic loss of life and extensive property damage [Selby, 1982]. In this research investigate the relationships between landslides and these conditioning factors. Rainfall is the most important factor, and the relationship between rainfall characteristics and landside has been studied intensively [Iverson, 2000; Keefer et al, 1987, [Harp et al, 1990]. The landslide occurred on October 7, 2009 at around 12:05 p.m, had buried the one story Rural Health Center Building and destroyed the water tank facility of the municipal hall [Kwok, 2009].The said investigation focused its attention on the Engineering aspects of the overall investigation. It was necessary to understand what caused the landslide, and how the landslide occurred [Daizo and Fugita, 20011]. Landslide area was examined, each geomorphology of the landslide, scarp, topography, soil hydraulic properties and the rainfall condition.

METHODOLOGY

With the data already collected on the Geology of the area and specifically the orientations of the landslide, the researcher concentrated on the following objectives: a. Gathering of the surface

and subsurface data by conducting soil exploration in the slide zone and the undisturbed area.

b. Gathering of intact soil sample by manual soil auger and classification of soil samples using Unified Soil Classification System (USCS).

c. Mapping of the slide zone by topographical survey.

The soil sample was taken every 5 meters interval all throughout the slide area by manual soil auger having a depth of 1 meter. The sample was taken from the surface of the slide, half meter and at 1 meter depth. The following soil test was performed to determine the soil types and classification; Water content; Unit weight; Specific gravity; Liquid limit; Plastic limit; Plasticity index; Permeability coefficients; Cohesion; Angle of internal friction and other soil properties that was suspected as triggering mechanism of the slide.

Figure 4 . Landslide Site top view.




The soil sample taken from the landslide site was stored and preserved in the laboratory and subjected to series of test.

Table. 1 Landslide Soil Characteristics.

Soil Properties Values Soil Types Organic Clayey soil

Soil Classifications OH Water Content 62.73 %

Saturation. 35.40% Unit Weight 18.39 kN/m³ Void Ratio 0.29

Porosity 0.22 Plastic Limit 34.98 % Liquid Limit 51.25%

Liquidity Index 1.71 Plasticity Index 16.26%

Fineness Modulus 4.2 Activity 9.20

Flow Index 18.88 Shrinkage Ratio 2.11 Shrinkage Index 14.69 Shrinkage Limit 20.30% Specific Gravity 1.87

Permeability Coefficient 0.01 m/second Discharge Velocity 0.02 m/sec Seepage Velocity 0.09 m/sec

Cohesion 27.5 kPa Angle of Internal Friction 9.5 degrees

The table 1 reveals the soil properties subjected to various testing. The slide materials were classified as “OH” or Organic Clays of medium to high plasticity based on Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). The materials water content (w%) is 62.73%, the degree of saturation ( S%) is 35.40 %, The unit weight (γ) of 18.39 kN/m² which classify as dense materials .Materials Specific gravity (Sp.Gr) is 1.87 and its fineness modulus ( FM) of 4. 2 correlate to permeable soil type. Void ratio(e) and porosity (n) of 0.29 and 0.22 respectively indicates that materials is potential for swelling and shrinkage that leads to fractured and potential water flow preference.

The Potential swell and expansive test was performed such as Plastic Limit (PL) of 34.98 % indicates medium to high potential plasticity. The Liquid Limit (LL)of 51.25% > 50 < 60 classified as medium potential swell and high potential plasticity). Liquidity Index (LI) of 1.71 > 1.0 indicates that materials has low strength, it deforms like a viscous fluid. Plasticity Index (PI) of 16.26 > 10 <20 Reveals that materials has medium to high plasticity and medium potential swelling.



Other materials indices were tested and the materials Activity (A) is 9.20 > 1.2 shows

that organic clayey soil is an active clay for swell potential. Shrinkage test such as Shrinkage Limit (SL), Shrinkage Ratio (SR) and Shrinkage Index (SI) of 20.30, 2.11 and 14.69 respectively is an evidence of Shrinkage potential. Hydraulic conductivity was tested using standard permeability test, the permeability Coefficient (k) of 0.01 m/second, Discharge velocity (v) of 0.02 m/second and Seepage velocity (vs) of 0.09 m/second causes the water to flow along pores and cracks due to saturation.

Unconfined Compression Test was conducted of the undisturbed sample shows that the Unconfined Compressive Strength (qu) of 55 kPa and the Cohesion(c) of 27.5 kPa with an internal angle of friction (Φ) of 9.5 degrees is an evident of triggering landside after heavy rains. Strength potential of the slide materials was significantly affected due to layer movements, changes in volume, swelling, cracking’s and expansion due to prolonged water saturation. However, the presence of water at saturation levels clearly caused lubrication and reduction of effective stresses at the joints and weakening of the organic clayey materials and mudstones as to have contribution to the overall weakening of the slide [Morales et al., 2001].

Likewise soil indices affects and directly contributed to the potential swelling, expansion, cracking’s and disintegration of soil particles due to water saturation that easily water to flow freely along the pores and cracking that leads to slide. Potential Expansion Test.

The organic clayey soil and mudstone materials was pulverized and tested based on the Unified Soil Classification System (USCS). All organic clayey soil and mudstone materials classified as “OH“(Medium to High Plasticity).

The Liquid limit (LL) values (> 50%) and the plasticity indices (PI) (PL = LL- PL >20) indicated that the materials is moderate to highly expansive soil that will be subjected to shrink and swell. This contributed to the disturbance and movements in the upper layer joints from shrinkage and expansion prior to slide after saturation [Morales et al, 2001]. Slope Geometry Determination

Slope geometry and topographical data was obtained using the Theodolite transit. The actual survey was taken at the site area of the failure plane and the original hill slope. The next figure is presented.

The landslide highest elevation from the sea level is 138 meters. The total height of the landslide from the toe to the peak of the landslide is 42.82 meters. The scarp height is approximately 20 meters.The maximum slope of the landslide is 21.35 ° from the horizontal toe up to the inclined plane failures, thus this slope triggered the landslide.


0

10

20

30

40

50

0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00

Unc

onfi

ned

Com

pres

sive

Str

engt

h (k

g/cm

²)

Water Content (%)


Figure 2. Topographical condition of the landslide. Effects of Water Saturation on Strength.

The borehole samples were grouped and tested for immersion for three time settings of 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. The Unconfined Compressive Strength qu (kg/cm²) and its water content (w %) is presented in Figures 3 and 4 for soil and mudstones.

Figure 3.Unconfined Compressive strength for Soil.qu vs water content of mudstone.

5 5.136.01

11.13

14.41

17.96

21.28

25.84

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Natural ground before the land slide

grou

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ofile

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ide

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AVERAGE NAT. GROUND SLOPE = 38/92 = 0.41

PROFILE AT SECTION A-ASCALE :

VERTICAL 2:1HORIZONTAL 1: 1

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y = -1.939x + 109.6R² = 0.952

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Figure4.Unconfined compressive strength for mudstone.

The trend lines in the figure above indicate the decrease in unconfined compressive strength while the water content is increasing clearly evidence establishing that water saturation could have an effect on the strength of soil( Morales et al,2001]. Landslide Hazard Assessment.

Based on Geohazard mapping conducted in the affected area and its immediate vicinity together with anecdotal account of the local people, hereunder are the researcher assessment:

1. Landslide in the area shows characteristics of slumping. It occurred at the cut slope on the northwestern side of a moderate to steeply sloping ridge. The highest peak of the ridge reaches 138 meters above sea level.

2. The landslide materials are composed of organic clayey soil, mudstone, and highly weathered and clay – altered rock. Highly weathered rock boulders were also noted in some landslide materials. The crown of the main slump is arcuate, and the scarp height is roughly 20 meters with landslide extending up to 100 meters. The general direction of the slump is S 45º to 50 º W.

3. Ground tension crack are still visible on the northwestern side of the main slump near the head scarp. The cracks are about 1 to 2 meters from the edge of the landslide/ failed slope.

4. The triggering factor of the landslide is rain and causative factors are combination of thick soil cover and highly weathered bedrock, organic clayey nature of soil and the alteration of the original topography with removal of toe support at the base of the slope.

5. The Present slope face of the landslide is still highly prone to slope failures/ landslide. However, it was observed that landslide is progressive, meaning it becomes larger as the height of the vertical cliff created by previous slope failure increases. Basically when rocks are exposed by landslide, they are more susceptible to weathering processes which weaken the inherent strength of the rock. This scenario had already been proven since the landslide started as shallow failure along the unstable cut slope.


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Landslide Risk Assessment. 1. High risk areas include (a) the directly affected sites of the slope failures, (b) the

northwestern side of the landslide area where ground tension cracks were observed, and (c) the upper slopes of the landslide area. Nearby houses are situated on the northwestern side of the landslide area while the Migrants building is very much proximal to the area of landslide run out. High risk areas are those with imminent danger to landslide and therefore should be permanently cleared from any residential structures as well as human activity.

2. Moderate risk areas are farther downslopes from the northwestern slope of the ridge where the municipal building is located and along the slopes on the other side of the landslide area where the nearby houses is situated.

3. Landslide is normally induced by the effects of groundwater or thin layer of surface water infiltrating the cracks on the ground during rains. Water induces hydraulics pressure on the slope.

Strength Degradation of Soil. The results of the laboratory tests on the organic clayey soil and mudstone in the slide areas evidently and potentially expansive nature of the mudstone as evidenced by:

1. Disintegration of the core samples when subjected to immersion after cooling from oven drying indicates susceptibility to degradation due to drying and saturation effects.

2. Significant strength degradation due to swelling and volumes changes of mudstone samples subjected to varying periods of water immersion for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively. Shrinkage cracking’s and expansion due to prolonged water saturation could have affected the in place strength characteristics and also have a contribution to the initiation of the landslide. Climatic Effects and Rainfall intensity

The unusually wet weather and unpredictable abnormal high rainfall intensity occurred in the months before the landslide. This was preceded by the tropical storm Ondoy and typhoon Pepeng.

Figure 5. Rainfall Chart Preceding the landslide Event.

The Figure above reveals that the rainfall intensity of more or less 600 mm a day before the landslide triggered the landslide due to massive and prolonged water saturation.



1. The local residents should religiously observe the conditions of the affected ground and should be alert on the presence of major cracks and slumps/landslide elsewhere. In case cracks appear on higher ground near the community settlement, residents should temporarily leave the area and report the situation to the Municipal disaster coordinating counsel. POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This paper implies that the local government units, the government agencies, the disaster and risk reduction offices should be aware and coordinate with the local and the researchers in making policy towards geohazards and reconsider the situations of the areas vulnerability . REFERENCES Abigail Kwok, Redempto Anda .Six bodies retrieved from collapsed Palawan building. INQUIRER.net,

Inquirer Southern Luzon. 2009. Corominas, J. and Moya, J. 1999. Reconstructing recent landslide activity in relation to rainfall in the

Llobregat River basin, Eastern Pyrenees, Spain. Geomorphology, 30, 79-93. Daizo Tsutsumi and Masaharu Fujita. Relative importance of slope material properties and timing of rainfall for

the occurrence of landslide. International Journal of Erosion Control Engineering, vol 1. No. 2, Kyoto, Japan. 2008.

Emilio Morales et al. the cherry hills landslide Tragedy. 2nd civil Engineering Conference in the Asian Region, Tokyo, 2001.

Fell, R., Hungre, O., Leroueil, S. and Riemer, W. (2000).“Geotechnical Engineering of the Stability of Natural Slopes nad Cuts and Fills”. Keynote Lecture. Proc. Geo Eng 2000, pp.21- 120, Melbourne. Finn, W.D.L. 1987 “Finite Element Handbook - Chapter 3 - Geomechanics”. Mc. Graw-Hill Editors H. Hardestuncer, . Harpe C. F. S.: Landslides and related phenomena. A Study of Mass Movements of Soil and Rock. Columbia

Univo Press, New York, 137 pp., 1938. Hutchinson J. N.: Mass Movement. In: The Encyclopedia of Geomorphology (Fairbridge, R.W., ed.), Reinhold

Book Corp., New York, pp. 688–696, 1968. Keefer, D.K. (1984) Landslides caused by earthquakes. Bulletin of the Geological Society of America 95, 406-

421. Pierson,T.C. (1983): Soil pipes and slope stability, quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology, 16,pp. 1-11. Selby M.J. (1982). Hillslope materials and processes. publ. Oxford University Press, Oxford. , pp 264. Siedel,R.C.Chigira,M. (2004): Landslide and debris flows strike Kyushu, Japan,EOS

ransactionaAGU,85(15),pp.145, 151. Uchida,T.,Kosugi,K.,Mizuyama,T.(1995): Effects of pipeflow on Hydrological process and its relation to

landslide: a review of pipeflow studies in forested headwater catchments, Hydrological Process., 15,pp. 2151 – 2174.

Varnes D. J.: Slope movement types and processes. In: Schuster R. L. & Krizek R. J. Ed., Landslides, analysis and control. Transportation Research Board Sp. Rep. No. 176, Nat. Acad. oi Sciences, pp. 11–33, 1978.


Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. and Mendoza C.R.L. 2015. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for Landslide Occurrence Monitoring.

AUTOMATIC RAINFALL INTENSITY GAUGE FOR LANDSLIDE OCCURRENCE MONITORING

Engr. Cesario A. Bacosa, Jr, Ph.D1*, Colyn Rose L. Mendoza2

1 Professor IV and Dean, College of Engineering and Technology

Holy Trinity University, Puerto Princesa City 5300,Palawan, Philippines Tel No: +63 -048-433-2161 local 245; Fax No: +63-048-433-2161 local 265

*email: [email protected] / [email protected] 2 BSCE, Holy Trinity University

ABSTRACT

This study used a physical experiment to clarify the mechanisms by which these factors contribute to the design and develop a low cost but accurate precipitation with an alarm system. By field testing, using an Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge and Standard Rain Gauge and performing the laboratory experiments the Water Content, Void Ratio, Porosity, Degree of Saturation, Specific Gravity, Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, Permeability, Cohesion wet and dry condition, Angle of Internal Friction wet and dry condition, unit weight of soil wet and dry condition, Factor of Safety wet and dry condition and the Topography has no effect in rainfall intensity except to the infiltration permeability. The factor of safety implies that the soil slip was triggered by the massive rain down pour that weaken the soil structure which means that soil materials is prone to soil slip at saturated condition while the Slope angle of Rainfall Intensity are susceptible. The highest rainfall intensity using the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge is 1012.92mm/day greater than 600mm/day during Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy that the landslide occurred in Rural Health Center at Taytay, Palawan. The highest rainfall intensity triggered landslide due to massive and prolonged water saturation. The proponent recommends the future researcher, come up with the computerized model of an Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge that transmits immediately to computer. Keywords: Rainfall intensity gauge, Automatic detector, Rainfall Triggered landslide.



Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. and Mendoza C.R.L. 2015. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for Landslide Occurrence Monitoring

INTRODUCTION Rainfall is the forcing input of the land phase in the hydrological cycle. The

knowledge and collection of rainfall data is very important for the scientific community in developing an understanding of the local, regional, national and global climate.

A rain gauge is simply an instrument that is designed to measure the amount of rain that reaches the ground surface during a storm. Rain gauges are considered the most traditional method for measuring rainfall. They have been used historically to provide rainfall quantities and rates at a single point in space. The basic idea of most rain gauges is to collect rainwater into a cylindrical vessel of a fixed diameter. Rainfall measurements are usually provided in units of water depth (inches or millimeters). The volume of collected water is divided by the area of the cylinder opening and converted into a depth or rain.

Studies aimed at defining the rainfall intensity–duration (ID) thresholds are the most common type of threshold used in landslide and debris-flow studies. They may be defined empirically using historical data (Guzzetti et al., 2007) theoretically using physically based models studied by (Montgomery1994), (Baum et al.,2010) or through some combination of empirical and theoretical methods (Crozier,1999) . A challenge for applying physically based models is that they require detailed meteorological, hydrological and geotechnical data for accurate model calibration and prediction. These data can be difficult to collect over large geographic areas. Consequently, regional and global predictions of the temporal occurrence of landslides and debris flows are usually made using empirical thresholds derived from more easily obtained data on rainfall and the presence/absence of landslides or debris flows during a given storm according to (Larsen and Simon,1993), (Hong et al.,2006).Empirical ID thresholds are typically represented by a power law equation in the form of I=αDβ, where I is the rainfall intensity (in mm/h), D is the duration (in hours), and α and β are empirically derived parameters (Caine, 1980). The duration of rainfall increases, there is a decrease in the intensity of rainfall needed to trigger landslide or debris flow initiation. In the power law equation, the exponent β defines the rate at which critical intensity decreases with increasing rainfall duration.

The proponent focused on soil and the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge because when the water flow through soil due to extremely heavy rainfall, infiltrates to the soil cracks cause by wetting–drying condition through swell–expansive behavior of the soil which water easily permeates and quickly flow through pores of the soil which increased saturation induced weakening of the mudstone that causes landslide. While the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge helped to measure the amount of rain which correlated to the result of actual simulation and soil laboratory to give an early warnings.

In Palawan, where hydrometerologically related disasters can be devastating, early warnings can be useful in saving lives, livelihoods and in reducing the after effects of disasters. By monitoring the intensity and duration of rainfall, it is possible to determine the onset of a landslide and warning can be issued to those at risks.

This research describes the evolution of a Standard Rain Gauge to an Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for landslide occurrence monitoring in Poblacion, Taytay, District of Northern town of Palawan, Philippines. The objectives of this study were the following: 1. To identify the parts and components of Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge. 2. To determine the results of the fabricated Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge. 3. To compare the result of automatic and Standard Rainfall Intensity Gauge.



4. To correlate the soil properties, topography, infiltration permeability and rainfall intensity, as measured using fabricated Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge. 5. To calculate factor of safety will the Rainfall Intensity cause soil slides. 6. To find Rainfall Intensity do the soils slide/slip base on slope angles as:

a. Steep b. Very steep.

Hypotheses The following hypotheses will be tested.

1. There is no significant difference between the result of Automatic and Standard Rainfall Intensity Gauge.

2.There are no significant relationships between the soil properties, topography and rainfall intensity as measured using fabricated Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge.

METHODOLOGY

The study employed the nature of the study by actual site investigation, field testing of Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge and laboratory testing. This study also used experimental method of research.The materials used in the research are composed of fabricated Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge, Standard Rain Gauge and a soil sample from the area of concentration. The field tests and the measurement of rainfall intensity using fabricated Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge procedures followed the phases.The first step in making the design of the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge was to gather all the materials needed, fabricating the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge body, fabricating the Circuits Casing, and assembling the circuitry and field testing.


The parts and components of Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge

Figure 1. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge



Figure 2. Components

The parts and the components used for fabricating an Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge are composed of a funnel to collect the rain. A Juice Dispenser to measure the cumulative amount of rain. Hence, the proponent decided to buy new and wholesale materials to save time and money, justifying that the commercially sold Juice Dispenser would not jeopardize the structure of the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge.

The drainage tube was used for the drainage of the collected rain so that the rain won’t overflow. Sensing probes which dipped in water will generates as a result the transistor conducts causing the led to glow when water touches the sensors. The Circuits Casing is used for the housing of the circuits and the smoke detector. The handle was installed so that every time you have to change the batteries it is easy to open.

Inside the Circuits Casing are the Water Level Circuits and the Smoke Detector which are connected by a sensing probes so that every time the probes senses the rain, the Water Level Circuits led will glow to probes green, yellow, and red are set as minimum, middle and maximum level of water respectively. On the other hand, the Smoke Detector soldered to the switch and dip to the maximum level of water will produce an alarm every time the probes touch the rain.

Figure 3. Rainfall Intensity, mm/day


Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. and Mendoza C.R.L. 2015. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for Landslide Occurrence Monitoring As shown, the highest rainfall intensity performed during the actual simulation using

the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge is 1012.92mm/day, and the lowest is 1.10mm/day. On other hand the highest rainfall intensity using. The highest rainfall intensity using the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge is 1012.92mm/day > 600mm/day during Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy that the landslide occurred in Rural Health Center at Taytay, Palawan. .

Table 1. Significant Difference between the Result of ARIG and SRG Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge F-Test

Degree of Freedom

F-Critical at 0.50

Decision

Standard Rain Gauge 4.33 1,8 5.318 HO: Accept

The table 1 shows the significant difference between the results of Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge and Standard Rain Gauge. In comparing, Standard Rain Gauge versus Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge the F-critical is greater than the F-value then the null hypothesis is accepted. Therefore, there is no significant difference between Standard Rain Gauge with Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge. This implies that the rainfall intensity measured from the standard gauge and the automatic rainfall intensity gauge did not differ. This means that the results of automatic rainfall intensity gauge is acceptable when compared to standard gauge.

Figure 4. Factor of Safety Dry

(Trial 1)

Legend:

Factor of safety - Remarks FS > 1.20 - Stable (St) 1.0 < FS < 1.20 - Marginally Stable (MS) 0.70 < FS < 1.0 - Susceptible (Sp) FS < 0.70 - Highly Susceptible (HS)


Bacosa, Cesario A. Jr. and Mendoza C.R.L. 2015. Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge for Landslide Occurrence Monitoring The figure shows factor of safety of 0.172 is highly susceptible. Therefore the hill

slope is unstable during dry condition or at the state of saturation. This implies that the soil slip was triggered by the massive rain down pour that

weaken the soil structure. This means that soil materials is prone to soil slip at saturated condition.

Table 2. Rainfall Intensity Trial 4 Soils Slide base on Slope Angle

DEGREE ARIG, mm/day

HEIGHT, m

FACTOR OF SAFETY

REMARK

18 1.10 42 0.85 Susceptible



21 55.97 42 0.67 High Susceptible

The table 2 shows that the Rainfall Intensity of trial 4 reveals that the soil at 18°-20°

angle of the slope with rainfall intensity ranging from 1.10mm/day to 55.97mm/day are steep but already susceptible. While at 21° angle of the slope the soil is still steep but highly susceptible with rainfall intensity of 94.84mm/day.

Therefore, at trial 4 which the soil is medium saturated indicates that at 21° angle of slope, which soil is steep but highly susceptible with rainfall intensity of 1012.92mm/day > 600mm/day during Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy that the landslide occurred in Rural Health Center at Taytay, Palawan.

CONCLUSIONS From the findings of the study, the following conclusions were drawn:

3. The highest rainfall intensity using the Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge is 1012.92mm/day > 600mm/day during Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy that the landslide occurred in Rural Health Center at Taytay, Palawan. The highest rainfall intensity triggered landslide due to massive and prolonged water saturation.

2. The infiltration permeability means that water flow through pores, cracks and voids during heavy rain downpour, water infiltrations within specified permeability rate.

3. The factor of safety implies that the soil slip was triggered by the massive rain down pour that weaken the soil structure which means that soil materials is prone to soil slip at saturated condition.

4. The average of soil indicates that at 31° angle of the slope the soil is very steep and susceptible with rainfall intensity of 606.95mm/day > 600mm/day during Pepeng and tropical storm Ondoy that the landslide occurred in Rural Health Center at Taytay, Palawan.

Legend: Slope Angle Steep 18°-27° Very Steep 28°-45°



RECOMMENDATIONS Based on the conclusions made, the following are recommended for consideration:

1. Duly recommend that an Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge can be used by the community and install them in an appropriate places for them to utilize in giving early warnings and landslide forecast, especially to the benefit of the frequently landslide areas. Maintenance should be observed and the batteries should be replaced at least thrice a month.

2. The installation area should be in open and developed areas. 3. For the future researcher, come up with the computerized model of an

Automatic Rainfall Intensity Gauge that transmits immediately to computer. POLICY IMPLICATIONS

As part of the disaster risk reduction and preparedness in the area,the rain gauge should be installed and create a policy to install it as part of risk reduction program, the houses within the high risk areas should be relocated. People living in moderate risk areas would be alerted always especially when there is typhoon or continuous rainfall.

REFERENCES Baum RL / Godt JW / Savage WZ,Estimating the timing and location of shallow rainfall-induced landslides

using a model for transient, unsaturated infiltration (2010), pp. 03013 Bracchini M / Zannoni A, Relations between rainfall and triggering of debris-flow (2003),pp. 71–79 Caine N,The rainfall intensity: duration control of shallow landslides and debris flows(1980),pp. 23–27 Cannon S, Boldt E, Laber J, Kean J, Staley D,Rainfall intensity–duration thresholds for postfire debris-flow

emergency-response planning(2011) pp.209–236 Crozier MJ,Prediction of rainfall-triggered landslides: a test of the antecedent water status model(1999), pp.

825–833 Daizo Tsutsumi / Masaharu Fujita, Relative importance of slope material properties and timing of rainfall for the occurrence of landslide (International Journal of Erosion Control Engineering, vol 1. No. 2, Kyoto, Japan, 2008) Guzzetti F / Peruccacci S / Rossi M / Stark CP, Rainfall thresholds for the initiation of landslides in central and

southern Europe(2007), pp. 239–267 Hong Y / Adler R / Huffman G,Evaluation of the potential of NASA multi-satellite precipitation analysis in

global landslide hazard assessment(2006),pp. 22402 Ian Strangeways, A History of Rain Gauges (TerraData Ltd, 2013), 6-18 Jin-King Liu / Peter T.Y. Shih, Topographic Correction of Wind-Driven Rainfall for Landslide Analysis in

CentralTaiwan with Validation from Aerial and Satellite Optical Images(National Chiao Tung University: National Chiao Tung University, 2013), pp. 2571

Ke-Sheng Cheng / Yun-Ching Lin / Jun- Larsen MC / Simon A, A rainfall intensity–duration threshold for landslides in a humid-tropical environment, Puerto Rico, (1993),pp.13–23

Michael Pollock, Assessing New Rainfall Estimation against TraditionalMeasurement Methods (Newcastle University: Newcastle University, 2010), p.2

Montgomery DR / Dietrich WE,A physically based model for the topographic control on shallow landsliding (1994),pp. 1153–1171


Candelario, M.B., J.A. Jardin, L.M. Gonzales, A.A. Baldevieso. 2015. Status of Fisheries Resources of Honda Bay (2003–2013).

STATUS OF FISHERIES RESOURCES OF HONDA BAY (2003-2013)

Myrna B. Candelario*, Jeanette A. Jardin, Lenie M. Gonzales and Adzel Adrian G. Baldevieso

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources IVB- MIMAROPA, Inland Sea Ranching Station, 3rd

Floor, Old City hall Building , Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City,5300 Palawan, Philippines Email: [email protected], [email protected]

Tel no: (048) 433-0852

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the status of fisheries resources of Honda Bay from January 2003 to December 2013. The eleven years annual production data shows a fluctuating trend. There was an increase in the annual number of boat landings of all gear from 95,284 in 2003 to 259,383 in 2011. The highest production was recorded in 2010 with 2,761.83 mt and the lowest in 2007 with 1,555.94 mt. Municipal fisheries contribute a large share of production with 86.03% dominated by Leoignathus splendens with 9.58%, while commercial fisheries shares 13.97% dominated by Amblygaster sirm which shares 38.95%. The seasonality of fishing operation for municipal fisheries is not pronounced as almost all of the different gears surveyed operate year-round, while trend of production for commercial fishing operation is influenced by southeast monsoon “habagat” and northeast monsoon “amihan”. Selar crumenopthalmusand Rastrelliger kanagurtaexhibits only one pulse per year while the Siganus canaliculatus and Lethrinus miniatus shows two pulses per year. Population parameter estimates showed that of the 10 species analysed, 93% have an exploitation ratio above 0.5 which indicates over exploitation. Keywords:Honda Bay, Fisheries Resources, Overfishing, CPUE, Exploitation



INTRODUCTION

Fisheries resources were naturally consumable, renewable but finite with some of the species already extinct, vulnerable and endangered which needs more attention and action (Hermes 1998). Fisheries information such as updated and valid biological, capture and biodiversity status of major species is a vital key in formulating guidelines to protect, conserve, develop and manage Philippine marine fisheries resources. Thus, resource assessment is necessary to conduct in all prospect sites in the country particularly those situated in highly diverse areas such as Palawan. In response, the National government through the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) implemented the National Stock Assessment Program (NSAP) in all regions. Honda bay is one of the major fishing grounds within West Sulu Sea. It lies within 100km coastal stretch and consists of 18 coastal barangays. The bay covers an area of 81.63 sq. nautical miles with 12 chartered islands. The semi-enclosed waters of the Bay are economically and ecologically important, with numerous marine species being nurtured in its lagoons and estuaries. Although other resources such as mangroves, corals, sea grass and invertebrates are categorized as being fair and moderate condition, the bay shows signs of deterioration of its fish resources and ecosystems (Gonzales 2004).

The main objective of this study is to generate reliable information in addition to the previous studies as basis for the formulation of policies towards the development, conservation and management of the country’s marine resources particularly in Palawan. Specifically, it aims to determine the following 1Current level of production, 2Species composition, effort and CPUE by gear of fish and invertebrate species of the bay and 3Estimate of growth, mortality, exploitation ratio and recruitment pulses of dominant species. METHODOLOGY

There were eight fish landing sites established for the implementation of the National Stock Assessment in Honda Bay. It was located in Bgy. Tagburos (Purok Aplaya and Purok Silangan), Bgy. Sta. Lourdes (Purok Honda Bay Sites, Commercial and Municipal) Bgy.Salvacion (Sitio Tagbato), Bgy. Lucbuan (Sitio Human and Sitio Katumbal) and Bgy. Babuyan (Sitio Anilawan and Sitio Barimbing). Inventory assessment of fishing boats, gears and production estimates was done to determine the amount of fishing activities in the Bay. This was conducted by NSAP enumerators in coordination with barangay officials of the 18 coastal barangays for 10 years except 2005. Data collection was conducted from 2003 to 2013 by trained NSAP Data Enumerators every two days, regardless of Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. All fishing boats of whatever fishing gear, unloading their catch during day and night time were sampled for the total catch and species composition. Fishing boat that was not sampled was also noted. Data and other relevant information were recorded in prepared survey forms. They were summarized and tabulated monthly. Dominant and abundant species were tallied monthly for length-frequency data sampling.

Top five major fish and invertebrate species of commercial and municipal fishing gears were ranked based on their contribution to total fish catch. Catch is expressed as whole weight in kilograms. Catch per unit effort (CPUE) was determined using the standard units of effort formulated by BFAR according to the type of fishing gear used. For this study, the standardized unit of effort used is kilograms per day (kg/day). Identification and grouping of the species were based on Allen and Swainston (1988) and Froese and Pauly (2000). The landed catch of the fish species was tabulated by family using the catch data, and the family composition was obtained by taking the percentage share in relation to the total catch of the landed boats and of the boat sampled by species at the fish landing site. Population parameters presented were obtained using the FAO-ICLARM Stock Assessment Tools (FiSAT) software (Gayanilo et al. 1995).



RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Production and CPUE

The annual production of the bay showed a fluctuating trend from 2003 to 2013. This ranged from 1,555,941.40 kg in 2007 to 2,761,827.35 kg in 2005. Fluctuations in the production were attributed by the irregular operation of ring net. Boat landings ranges from 116, 077 in 2003 to 233, 377 in 2011. This shows that the increase in boat landings contributes only to the increase in production but with low CPUE. The CPUE ranges from 9.39kg/boat in 2012 to13.84 kg/boat in 2003. Among the dominant municipal gears, stationary lift net (SLN) has the highest CPUE ranging from 28.0 kg/boat in 2012 to 75 kg/boat in 2005. This peak is contributed by the bulk production of Sprateloides robustus for the year which is not commonly appeared in the other years. Trend of production for commercial fisheries operation is influenced by southwest monsoon “habagat” from June to October and Northeast monsoon “amihan” from November to February. Peak of production is noticed during the months of March to October. Consistent with the study conducted be Ramos et al. (2009), municipal fisheries for the past 11 years is not pronounced as almost all of the gears operates year round. However peak of production is recorded in the first and last quarters of the year. Species Composition

Eleven years data for the number of fish families or species recorded an increasing trend from 304 in 2003 to 391 in 2013. However, for invertebrate families, it shows a fluctuating trend with no significant change in number is recorded for both the species and families. It ranges from 13 to 22 species. Most of the species caught recorded from 2003 to 2012 are pelagic fishes with an average percentage of 57.17%, while demersal fishes and reef fishes constitute 28.8% and 14% respectively.

The catch composition of the Honda bay for commercial fisheries for 7 years were dominated by Amblygaster sirm which is 39% and Emmelichthys nitidus nitidus having the least contribution of 1%, while for the municipal fisheries in 11 years, Leognathus spendens dominates which is 10% having Herklotsichthys dispilonotus contributes the least with 2%. The catch of Honda bay is contributed mostly by 10 major gears with bottom gillnet having the highest which is 32% and hook and line having the lowest contribution of 4%. Length frequency Distribution

Fish coral (FC), Encircling Gillnet (EGN) and Stationary Lift Net (SLN) caught high percentage of immature species. Among the 3 major gears catching, Atule mate, FC caught the highest percentage of immature fish which is 96.3 % compared to BGN and RN which bought almost larger fish. For Rastrelliger kanagurta, SLN and FC caught more than 50% immature as compared to BGN which 9.04%.

Almost all of the 3 major gears catches 50% immature Siganus canaliculatus, however, EGN have the highest which is 77.64% (Figure 22). Among the three major gear catching Lethrinus lentjan, EGN caught 93.72% immature fish with size ranging from 10.5-18.5cm and on the other hand, for the gear catching, Selar crumenophthalmus, SLN caught the highest percentage of immature fish which is 98.81% while BGN catches 71.05% and almost 50% is being caught by RN. Population Parameters

For 2013 data of species analyzed for recruitment patterns, Selar crumenophthalmus and Rastrelliger kanagurta exhibited unimodal pattern while a bimodal pattern is observed for Siganus canaliculatus and Lethrinus miniatus. Majority of the species have E values above 0.5, and of the 97 samples, 7% has estimated E values which are within the optimum and 93% are beyond the E value of 0.5.



CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

Continuous study is recommended to monitor the future trend of the important parameters in the Bay. REFERENCES Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers

and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201 Froese, R. and D. Pauly, Editors. 2000. FishBase 2000: concepts, design and data sources. ICLARM, Los

Baños, Laguna, Philippines. 344 p. Gonzales, B,J. 2004. Fisheries management in Honda Bay. p. 305-311. In DA-BFAR (Department of

Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources). In turbulent seas: The status of Philippine marine fisheries. Coastal Resource Management Project, Cebu City, Philippines. 378 p.

Hermes, J.E. (1998). Fish Processing in the Tropics, Tawid Publications, ISBN 971 91395- 7-9, Quezon City, Philippines.

Ramos M.H., M.B. Candelario., E.M. Mendoza. And F.L. Gonzales. 2009. The Honda Bay Fisheries: an Assessment, Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic-Resources National Fisheries Research and

Development Institute. Technical Paper Series Vol. 12, No. 2. 45p.


Gacayan, Anabell C. 2015. Relevance and Responsiveness of Curricular Programs to Sustainable Development: Bases for a Model Curriculum. Palawan State University.

RELEVANCE AND RESPONSIVENESS OF CURRICULAR PROGRAMS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: BASES FOR A MODEL CURRICULUM

ANABELL C. ABAN–GACAYAN

Faculty, Palawan State University e-mail address: [email protected] Mobile number: 09473349484 / 09175912473

ABSTRACT

This qualitative-quantitative research assessed the relevance and responsiveness of the curricular programs in selected PSU-CCRD-ESCs to sustainable development along socio-cultural, environmental and economic perspectives. Triangulation of research methods was used in this study which includes documentary analysis, researcher-prepared questionnaire and focus group discussion. Using purposive sampling, sixty (60) stakeholders from each host municipality were taken as respondents. The data gathered were treated statistically using weighted means. This study revealed that the strategic directions based on the sustainable development plans of the host municipalities are comprehensive. They support the three perspectives of sustainable development namely: socio-cultural, environmental and ecological perspectives. However, documentary analysis implied that the there is a felt need to have a more specific and measurable evaluation of LGUs accomplishments along the areas of sustainable development. The stakeholders’ assessment on the curricular program revealed that all the curricular programs in the PSU-CCRD-ESCs are quite relevant and quite responsive to the development plans of host municipalities. This means that all the curricular programs provide considerable amount of contribution to the attainment of the sustainable development plans of the host LGUs. Likewise, the curricular programs provided the graduates with considerable amount of knowledge, skills attitudes and values that are appropriate to the current demands of sustainable development. However, despite the aforementioned findings, the curricular programs need to be redirected to make them even more relevant and more responsive. Hence, a model curriculum in BS Entrepreneurship (Ladderized Program) with core courses in agriculture in developed for PSU-CCRD-ESC Brooke’s Point and Roxas. The model curriculum was based on the strategic directions of the sustainable development plans of the host municipalities where the LGUs envision for “sustainable and profitable quality crops, increased crop production and improved quality of livestock and poultry production.” Keywords: sustainable development, curricular programs, relevance, responsiveness, socio-cultural, environmental and ecological aspects



INTRODUCTION Palawan State University, the first state university in Palawan and the seat of higher learning in the Province, is mandated to offer courses relevant and responsive to the needs of the community. This is an effort of the University to be positively responsive to the demands and needs of the community.Part of its mission statement specifies that the University “shall deliver extension services that will contribute to the progressive transformation of communities and clientele groups”. To carry out its mission, the College of Community Resources Development – Extramural Studies Center(CCRD-ESCs) were established. The CCRD-ESCs serve as an extension program for tertiary education and technology transfer in the countryside. They seek to democratize education to reach the grassroots level and to make educational opportunities accessible to every inhabitant of Palawan (The Lady and the Last Frontier, 2007). Alongside with Palawan’s rapid development, the Provincial Government would like to ensure that the benefits of development will be enjoyed not only by the present generation of Palaweños but by the future generations of Palaweños to come with the vision of sustainable development. Said vision is geared towards the common development goal of uplifting the quality of life of the Palaweños and protecting and sustaining the use of the Province’s environment and natural resources. (Provincial Medium-Term Development Plan –PMTDP 2008-2012) The 23 municipalities in Palawan, in consonance with the development vision and goals of the Province also come up with their Municipal MTDP, AIP and ELA as mandated in the Local Government Code. The keyword on their plans also focuses on sustainable development.Beyond doubt, a sustainable future for Palawan is every Palaweño’s dream, not only at present but for the future of all generations to come. To respond to the development plans of Palawan and of the host municipalities, the PSU, as an academic institution, feels duty-bound to contribute to the empowerment of the local government units and support their development plans. Considering that the PSU, as an institution of higher learning established the CCRD-ESCs upon request of the LGU, it is but fitting and proper for these CCRD-ESCs to offer curricular programs that are relevant and responsive to the sustainable development plans of host municipalities. RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES Triangulation of research methods was used in this study which includes documentary analysis, researcher-prepared questionnaire and focus group discussion. Using purposive sampling, the respondents are sixty (60) stakeholders from each host municipality. The statistical treatment used was weighted mean. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The following are the results and discussion of the investigation: 1.Strategic Directions of Host Municipalities Based on their Sustainable Development Plans. The hosts Municipalities have very comprehensive sustainable development plans. It was noted that sustainable development is still the basis of the LGUs in undertaking steps towards their development and their plans satisfy said requirements. The concerned LGUs have been implementing their development plans along the three perspectives on sustainable development; however, it was found out that the LGUs need to state their accomplishments in specific and measurable terms. Furthermore, it was noted that periodic monitoring and evaluation of strategic directions on sustainable development need to be strengthened.



2. Relevance and Responsiveness of the Curriculum Program to the Strategic Directions of Based on the Sustainable Development Plans of the LGUs. In PSU-CCRD-ESC Brooke’s Point, the curricular programs were assessed to be quite relevant (with grand mean of 3.83), and quite responsive (with grand mean of 3.78) to the strategic directions on sustainable development of the LGU. On the other hand, the curricular programs in CCRD Roxas were assessed to be quite relevant with grand mean of 3.89) and quite responsive (with grand mean of 4.11) to the strategic directions of the sustainable development plan of the LGU. Likewise in PSU-PCAT, the curricular programs were also assessed to be quite relevant (with grand mean of 4.01) and quite responsive (with grand mean of 4.06) to the strategic directions on sustainable development plans of the LGU. Findings mean that the curricular programs have brought considerable amount of contribution of impact to the sustainable development of the host LGUs. Furthermore, it means that the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values that the students acquired in the different programs are appropriate to the current demands of the municipalities. 3. Model Curriculum for the PSU-CCRD-ESCs.Results of documentary analysis and focus group discussion reveal that the curricular programs are quite relevant and quite responsive to the strategic directions on the sustainable development plans of the host municipalities. In this connection, the respondents recommend for the offering of an agriculture-related course in Brooke’s Point and Roxas because according to them, the course is believed to be the most relevant and responsive in line with the sustainable development plans of the LGUs. On the other hand, stakeholders of PSU-PCAT suggested the offering of a course related with marine resources management believing that Cuyo is greatly relying on its marine resources. CONCLUSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS Conclusions Based on the results, the following conclusions are drawn: 1. The strategic directions of the host municipalities based on their sustainable development plans are in place. They satisfy the requirements for a sustainable future of the LGUs along the three perspectives considered in this study, namely; socio-cultural, environmental and economic. However, there is a felt need to have a more specific and measurable evaluation of LGUs accomplishments along the areas of sustainable development. Furthermore, periodic monitoring and evaluation of the strategic directions need to be reinforced. 2. All the curricular programs offered in the three CCRD-ESCs studied were assessed to be quite relevant and quite responsive to the strategic directions on the sustainable development plans of their host municipalities. 3. A model curriculum for the CCRD-ESCs that is relevant and responsive to the sustainable development plans of the LGUs needs to be developed. Recommendations With the above conclusions as bases, the following recommendations are offered: 1. The curricular programs found to have the lowest rating on relevance and responsiveness to the strategic directions based on the sustainable development of the LGUs



need to be reviewed. In order to have a more reliable data, it is recommended that tracer studies on graduates’ employability be conducted regularly. 2. An in-depth study on the curricular programs in other CCRD-ESCs needs to be conducted in order to get an accurate data whether to phase-down courses which are not relevant and responsive to sustainable development and to give way to other courses which are in demand and timely to the present needs of the locality and of the industry. 3. Bachelor of Arts in Political Science program in CCRD-ESC Brooke’s Point which was found to have the lowest grand mean in terms of relevance and responsiveness is recommended for phase-down. 4. A model curriculum in Bachelor of Entrepreneurship (Ladderized Program) is proposed for CCRD-ESC Brooke’s Point and Roxas. PSU-PCAT administration may consider the offering of Marine Resources Management or related courses in the future. 5. Inclusion of provisions in the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between host LGU and PSU of the following:a.) involvement of the CenterDirector as a regular member of the Municipal Planning and Development Council; andb.) active involvement andparticipation of LGU in assessingcurricular programs. 6. Strengthen active participation and involvement of internal and external stakeholders in curriculum planning and evaluation. 7. The PSU administration must consider the conduct of periodic assessment of curricular programs and must strengthen curriculum monitoring and evaluation in the PSU-CCRD-ESCs. 8. Other areas of specialization like cottage industries utilizing available raw materials in the community can be integrated in the Bachelor of Entrepreneurship program. Likewise, food services, food processing, aqua-culture, packaging of products, ceramics-making, shell craft, cosmetology and other environment-friendly entrepreneurial activities can be considered depending on the demand of the target clientele. 9. A replication of a similar study can be done, with the inclusion of the following variables: employability of graduates, extent of participation of stakeholders in curriculum planning, funding assistance per program and availability of expertise for the program. Policy implications The following are some implications of the study: This study served as one of the bases of Palawan State University in offering Bachelor of Science in Agriculture in PSU Main and in other selected CCRD Campuses and the offering of Bachelor of Science in Fisheries in PSU-Cuyo and CCRD Linapacan. This study was also instrumental in the phasing down of programs that were found to be not so relevant and responsive to the sustainable development plans of host municipalities (like AB in Political Science in Brooke’s Point) and the offering of additional programs that were suggested by stakeholders as relevant and responsive to their sustainable development plans (like Management Accounting in Brooke’s Point and BS Hospitality Management in Roxas, Taytay and El Nido, Palawan). REFERENCES BOOK WITH ORGANIZATION AS AUTHOR Palawan State University (2007). The Lady and the Last Frontier. Eastgate Publication, Manila. GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT Palawan Medium-Term Development Plan (2008-2012).


Jose, Edgar D., K. Hoevenaars, K.M.R. Antonio. 2015. Developing Protocols on Propagation and Nursery Management of Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.): A Means of Preserving the Future of the Batak Tribe in the Forest of Cleopatra’s Needle, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.

DEVELOPING PROTOCOLS ON PROPAGATION AND NURSERY MANAGEMENT OF ALMACIGA (Agathis philippinensis Warb.): A MEANS OF

PRESERVING THE FUTURE OF THE BATAK TRIBE IN THE FOREST OF CLEOPATRA’S NEEDLE, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES

Edgar D. Jose*, Kyra Hoevenaars and Karina May Reyes-Antonio

Centre for Sustainability, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan [email protected]

ABSTRACT

Agathis philippinensisWarb. (Almaciga) is a coniferous tree—the largest and historically most dominant tree of Palawan’s upland primary forests. In the Cleopatra’s Needle forest, Almaciga resin collection serves as the main livelihood for the members of the Batak tribes and other indigenous peoples living in the proximities of the forest providing approximately 80% of their total income. Due to the influx of resin collectors from other areas, the remaining population of the species in the area is threatened and the collapse of this key tree species is inevitable if no action is taken. This means that the traditional livelihood and thus the future of the Batak tribe is very uncertain. This research was aimed at providing a standard protocol on propagation and nursery management of the species in the forest of Cleopatra’s Needle in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Expeditions were carried out for cone collections and eventually followed by propagation, nursery and monitoring activities. Three nursery sites were established in the area where 6000 seedlings were propagated, nursed and monitored. Information on seeds and seedlings collection, propagation and nursery management, identification and mitigation of pests and diseases, and monitoring growth and survival were properly documented. Keywords: Agathis philippinensisWarb., Almaciga nursery, Cleopatra’s Needle, Batak, Puerto Princesa, Palawan.




INTRODUCTION Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis) is a species of conifer endemic to the Philippines.

It is a large coniferous tree reaching 60 meters height and 300 centimeters in diameter and occurs in upland tropical forests at altitudesbetween 200 to 2,000 meters. Almaciga is present in primary forests at medium and high altitudes from the Babuyan Islands and Northern Luzon to Palawan and Mindanao (Ella and Domingo, 2011). Almaciga yields high quality resin known as Manila copal used as raw material for varnish, lacquers, paper paint driers, linoleum, printing inks, and other uses (Brown, 1921; Saminao and Ella, 2014). Manila copal is considered an important dollar earner among the country’s non-timber forest products. Its timber is excellent for paneling and commands a high price in the world market while Palawan is the largest Almaciga resin producer in the Philippines (Razal, 2013). It has also been suggested as a material for pulp and paper because of its long fibers (Saminao and Ella, 2014). This species is rapidly vanishing and its logging is currently banned by the Philippine government (Mittelman, et al., 1997; Ella and Domingo, 2011). Resin collection has further contributed to the declining population of the species in the country. Collection of resin is an important source of income for indigenous peoples (IPs) and most of the rural communities next to cashew and seaweeds (Goloubinoff, et al. _). Due to its high market demand however, the number of collectors increased, including non-IPs, wherein most of them practice unsustainable tapping methods leading to resin yield and quality decline and at worst, the death of trees. If these malpractices prevail, Almaciga is prone to extinction affecting the livelihood of communities depending on it. Furthermore, with climate change as a global concern, recurrence of natural calamities like typhoons and forest fires will have impacts on forest ecosystems, particularly vulnerable and threatened species like Almaciga (Razal, 2013).

The Batak tribe in the forest of Cleopatra’s Needle in Puerto Princesa are one of the largest remaining populations of Batak in Palawan. Almaciga resin collection serves as the main livelihood for the Batak and other local people living in the proximities of the forest. For the Batak, the Almaciga tree has remarkable value as their lives, culture and income revolve around this tree. Resin provides roughly 80% of their total income and the tree provides several other benefits, including as a traditional medicine. Ownership of individual trees is passed down from generation to generation. However, overharvesting is evident due to influx of resin collectors from areas where the trees have vanished and this threatens the remaining population of the species in the area. The trees eventually become weak due to over tapping and will collapse in the near future when no action is taken. This means that the traditional livelihood and thus the future for the Batak tribe are very uncertain.

Promisingly, the Centre for Sustainability has received grants from the Flagship Species Fund of Fauna and Flora International and the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation. These funds were used to implement research on the biology and ecology of the Almaciga species and in educating the communities to raise awareness on its current status; understanding the links between the overharvesting of resin and the collapse of the trees as well as the reduction in fertility of seeds. Finally, efforts are made to rehabilitate the declining population of the species through establishing nurseries for reforestation in the area of Cleopatra’s Needle. The goal of the project is to generate 10,000 seedlings in the nurseries to be reforested in the surroundings of the proposed CNFR. With these efforts and strategies, the communities will be equipped with enough knowledge and understanding towards biology and ecology, sustainable use and rehabilitation of Almaciga trees to save it from extinction in the future.



The general objective of this study is to provide a standard protocol on propagation and nurserymanagement of A. philippinensis in the forest of Cleopatra’s Needle in Puerto Princesa City, Palawan. Specifically, the study aims to:

1. Test various methods of cones, seeds and seedlings collection; 2. Identification, management and mitigation of pests and diseases of seedlings in the

nursery; 3. Monitoring growth and survival of seedlings in the nursery; 4. Creation of propagation and nursery monitoring manual; 5. Germinate seedlings that are used to reforest/rehabilitate the declining population of

Almaciga in the forest of Cleopatra’s Needle.

METHODOLOGY There are five major activities initiated in the nursery. All of these activities were

conducted between July and October, 2015. 1. Establishment of nursery

Three nurseries were established in distinct locations and topography for comparison purposes. The first nursery was established in the lowland area of Bgy. Binduyan with an elevation of ≈1 meter above sea level (masl). The second nursery was constructed at the edge of the forest at a higher elevation (PulangBato, ≈100 masl, Bgy. Tanabag) while the third nursery wasestablished at an elevation of ≈200m (Lipso, Bgy. Tanabag) where Almaciga trees naturally occur.

2. Cone and seedlings collections Mother trees were surveyed and identified for the presence of cones and seeds.

Initially, three methods were experimented and initiated for cone collection. First, trapping of cones and/or seeds from the pre-identified mother tree was deployed and monitored for a one-month period. A net trap covering 400m2 total size area surrounding a mother tree was laid and monitored in the Almaciga area of Bgy Tanabag. Secondly, small wildlings encountered were immediately collected and likewise transplanted in the nurseries. Lastly, groups of local Batak tree climbers were employed during expeditions for cone collection.

3. Experimental seedbeds Collected cones and seeds were treated with fungicide and insecticide prior to being

sown in experimental seedbeds. This is to ensure that seeds are already protected against pests prior to germination in the seedbeds. Three types of seed bedding treatments were experimented following a standard split plot design. Treatment 1 is covered with tarpaulin to protect it from possible overwatering considering that the experiment was performed during extremities of rainy season. Treatment 2 was covered with fine nets which blocked direct rain allowing equal distribution of water in the seed beds. Treatment 3 is the control treatment which had no roofing cover. Seedlings in the nursery were monitored regularly on a weekly basis parallel to monitoring of cone/seed traps and data gathering.

4. Identification, management and mitigation of pests and diseases of seedlings in the nursery

Information on the presence of pests, diseases, and growth and survival parameters were carried out. Environmental factors such as humidity, temperature, sunlight, nutrients, water requirements and pH in both soil and external environments are likewise noted and tested for correspondence to seed propagation.



5. Growth and survival The number of seeds sown and seedlings germinated in experimental seedbeds was

recorded. Mortality was monitored after the seedlings were transplanted in seed pots. Heights and leaf sizes were measured for growth prior to reforestation time. Initial data of mortality, growth and survival rates recorded from October to November were the only available data and are treated in the analysis. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Six cone/seed collection expeditions were initiated yielding nearly 12,000 viable seeds. These seeds were sown and propagated in experimental seedbeds in the nurseries. A total of 6,397 seedlings were germinated from the experiment and are now growing in seed pots. We likewise collected 83 wildlings which are growing successfully in seed pots in Lipso and Binduyan nurseries. Net traps on the other hand did not collect any cones or seeds. Results of experimental seed beds are shown in Figure 1. Propagation natality for Treatment 3, the control treatment, greatly corresponded towards trajectories of soil moisture and temperature. Treatments 1 and 2 did not correspond to any environmental parameters tested but only for Nitrogen and pH. Humidity and light did not correspond to any of the experimental treatments. This implies that seeds cannot tolerate too much water and this greatly affects its success at propagation. Similarly, we observed that after heavy rains, the soil clumps and hardens which is problematic as it prevents sprouting seedlings from coming out.Additionally, ants, rodents, insect larvae and fungi are the most common pests observed in the nursery. Taxonomic identification of these pests is still in process.

Comparison of seedling propagation performances of the experimental seedbeds from the three nurseries showed significant difference (F(2,57) = 3.135; p = 0.05) in favor of PulangBato nursery site over Binduyan(Tukeys Q = 3.49;p = 0.04). PulangBato and Lipsonusery areas showed no significant difference (Tukeys Q = 2.29; p = 0.25) as well as Lipso and Binduyan nursery areas (Tukeys Q = 1.20; p = 0.68). In contrast, the mortality rate of the seedlings in the three nurseries is averaging 81 seedlings (1.27%) per month (PulangBato = 13; Lipso = 177; Binduyan = 53).

Figure 1. Canonical Correspondence Analysis showing environmental factors that correspond to the number of propagated seeds in the experimental seedbeds. T = treatments. Environmental parameters: N,P,K = soil nutrients; pH; soil moisture, humidity; light; and temperature.



CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS The results imply that propagation of Almaciga is not sensitive to elevation gradients and can be propagated from ≈1 to ≈200 meter above sea level. The only factor which made a significant difference in the numbers of natality/mortality between sites is more likely due to overwatering, fungi and pests. The lack of knowledge and skills in monitoring and initiatingappropriate measures to mitigate the threatening effects of catastrophic events occurring in the nurseriesis likewise a problem. This is also because the project is the first of its kind for any Almaciga nursery in Palawan and the entire Philippines. The knowledge and experience gained in the whole process of the project together with the nursery manual subsequently developed can be used by the Batak tribe in the creation of community-based Almaciga nursery projects. Options to conserve Almaciga include replacement of dead or badly damaged trees in the forest by either planting seedlings or allowing growth of naturally-generated young trees prior to extracting resins (Lacuna-Richman, 2004; 2006). As such, this research is intended to provideseed-propagated seedlings to reforest the degrading population of the species in the forest of Cleopatra’s Needle.The 6,000 seedlings propagated are expected to be planted in the area by 2016 and thus, ensure the future livelihood of the Batak population, although such projects will need external support from government and other concerned agencies. Such projects can be adopted by the National Greening Program of the DENR for additional technical and financial support. REFERENCES Brown, W.H. 1921. Minor products of Philippine forest. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Bureau of Forestry, 2: 421 pp. Ella, A.B. and E.P. Domingo. 2011. Almaciga (Agathis philippinensis Warb.): Valuable but dimishing tree

species in the Philippines. Pp. 75-78. In: Heok-Choh, S., Hamid, S.A. and L. Mei (eds.). 2011. Multinational and Transboundary Conservation of Valuable and Endangered Forest Tree Species, Asia and the Pacific Workshop. International Union of Forest Research Organization, 30: 136 pp.

Goloubinoff, M., Devanadera, M., Gamutia, A. and M. Piadozo. ________. Leveling the playing field: Fair partnership for local development to improve the forest sustainability in Southeast Asia. University of the Philippines, Los Baños, Laguna. Centre de Cooperation InternationaleenRechercheAgronomique pour le Developpment. Center for International Forestry Research. 65 pp.

Lacuna-Richman, C. 2004. Using suitable projects in adding value to non-wood forest products in the Philippines. The copal (Agathis philippinensis) trade in Palawan. Economic Botany, 29: 253-262.

Lacuna-Richman, C. 2006. The use of non-wood forest products by migrants in a new settlement: Experience of a visayan community in Palawan, Philippines. Journal of Ethnobotany and Ethnomedicine, 2: 13 pp.

Mittelman, A.J., Lai, C.K., Byron, N., Michon, G. and E. Katz. 1997. Non-wood forest product outlook study for Asia and the Pacific: Towards 2010. Asia-Pacific Forestry Sector Outlook Study. Working Paper Series, 28: 69 pp.

Razal, R. 2013. Almaciga, not flowing freely in the Philippines. Pp. 9. In: Guerrero, M., Esquillo, L., Matibag, M. and E. Diaz (eds.). 2013. Voices from the forest. Non-timber Forest Products Exchange Programme for South and Southeast Asia. 92, Masikap Ext., Bgy. Central Diliman, Quezon City, 1100, Philippines. 24: 20 pp.

Samiano, F.B. and A.B. Ella. 2014. Enhancing the adaptive capacity of the indigenous peoples by promoting sustainable and community-based resin tapping of Almaciga (Agathis philippinensisWarb.) in selected certificate of ancestral domain title (CADT areas in Palawan and Sierra Madre. 23rd Philippine Biodiversity Symposium. Wildlife Conservation Society of the Philippines. Association of Systematic Biologists of the Philippines. April 1-4, 2014. University of San Carlos, Talamban, Cebu City. Pp. 44.


Paduga, Joseph R., and R.G. Dolorosa. 2015. Abundance of Sea Cucumbers and Catch per Unit Efforts in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan.

ABUNDANCE OF SEA CUCUMBERS AND CATCH PER UNIT EFFORTS IN RASA

ISLAND WILDLIFE SANCTUARY, NARRA, PALAWAN

Joseph R. Paduga* and Roger G. Dolorosa College of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences - Western Philippines University

Puerto Princesa Campus Corresponding author:[email protected]

ABSTRACT

Sea cucumber gathering is an important source of earnings yet very little information is available about the status of this fishery industry in Palawan. In this study, we examined the abundance of commercially harvested sea cucumbers and the Catch per Unit Efforts in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS). Two specific habitats or areas (Cortido Area or CA and Hanginan Area or HA) in five sampling sites around the RIWS were surveyed by joining the fishing activity of a fisherman.Harvesting method involved the use of a long pole with pointed metal on one end to collect the sea cucumbers while on a boat. The average density of sea cucumbers was very low (52.95 ind.ha-1) with site 5 having the highest density. The densities between CA and HA were not significantly different (p>0.05), but the densities of target species (Holothuria scabra and Stichopus spp.) were significantly different (p<0.05). Also, the average CPUEs at CA and HA were not significantly different (p>0.05). With an average of 1.79 kg.person-1 h-1 and an average fishing time of 5h, the fisherman could at least collect 8.95 kg per operation. Estimated average monthly earning(PhP1,600) was very low. Sizes of dried sea cucumbers were below the minimum size limit imposed in other countries. There is a need for a local policy on size limit for each commercially harvested species of sea cucumbers in RIWS to ensure a sustainable sea cucumber fishery. Keywords: abundance, Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, sea cucumbers, CPUE




INTRODUCTION Sea cucumbers or holothurians had been globally exploited for at least 1000 years (Conand and Byrne 1993) and been commercially harvested for about a century (Guzman and Guevara 2002). In the Philippines, artisanal harvesting and processing of sea cucumber into trepang is one of the primary sources of income for many coastal inhabitants (Schoppe 2000). However, overharvesting had caused the population of sea cucumbers to dwindle worldwide (Bruckner et al., 2003). Sea cucumber gathering is also a common activity in the Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary (RIWS), Palawan. In this island and in all other open accessed areas in the Philippines, gathering of sea cucumbers is not regulated at all. This unsustainable harvesting practice can eventually result to recruitment failure and eventual extinction, thus this study was made to assess the abundance of commonly harvested sea cucumbers in RIWS in terms of density and catch per unit effort. METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in RIWS, Narra Palawan between April and May 2015. Sampling was timed night low tide and good weather to allow the gathering while on the boat.Five sampling sites were established in RIWS. At each site, two areas were surveyed. The Cortido Area (CA) is located adjacent to the mangrove forest and the Hanginan Area (HA) is located close to the reef crest or drop off area. At each area, several transects were surveyed to record the abundance of sea cucumbers and CPUE of the collector. The fisherman harvested the sea cucumber while standing in front of the boat equipped with a headlamp and a long wooden pole (4 m long) with pointed metal (fork) at one end. The observer can cover a width of about 5 m. The researcher recorded the disturbed sizes (about 25% shorter than its relaxed length) of each species caught by the fisherman. At each site, several transects were surveyed for about 10 minutes. T-test was used to compare the densities of sea cucumbers between the CA and HA across five sites in RIWS. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Six species and two more unidentified species were harvested by the fishermen within the CA and HA. Seven species belong to family Holothuriidae and one species fall under Stichopodidae. The estimated relaxed lengths of the harvested species were shorter than the reported common sizes (Table 1) suggesting a possible effect of overharvesting (Purcell et al. 2012).

The overall density of sea cucumbers in RIWS was 52.95ind/ha. Among the study sites, Site 5 has the most abundant sea cucumber species followed by site 1, 3, 4 and 2 (Figure 1) . Abundance at each area per site suggests that HA holds higher density of sea cucumber than in CA but statistical test revealed no significant difference (p>0.05).



Table 1. Disturbed total length (cm) compared to common length (cm) of different sea cucumber species encountered in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan.

Species Local Name

Mean Disturbed total length (cm)

Estimated undisturbed length (cm)

Common Length (cm)

Largest Individual (cm)

Holothuria sp1. Dapa 17a 22.7 Holothuria sp2. Tabataba 7a 9.3 H. atra Black

Beauty 14a 18.7 20b 100c

H. scabra Cortido 12a 16.0 30d 45d H. foscuscinerea Dagtaan 13a 17.3 25b 35d Actinopyga echinites

Brown Beauty

9a 11 30b 35f

Stichopus horrens Hanginan 16a 21.33 20 d 50g

Bohadschia marmorata

Lawayan 14a 18.7 25d 30e

Note: a this study; b kerr et al 2006; c Dolorosa 2015; d FAO 1998; e Paalan 2009; f Purcell et al., 2012; gSchoppe 2000.

Two species of sea cucumbers were the primary target of sea cucumber collectors. In

this study: the H. scabra and Stichopus horrens were targeted by fishermen because of their high market value. The density of H. scabra was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of Stichopus horrens.

Figure 1. Average (±95% CI) density (ind/ha) of eight commercially harvested sea cucumber species in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan.

Among the sites surveyed, Site 5 could be the least visited by fishermen because of its narrow reef and proximate distance from the mainland (Villalva pers. comm.). Such low fishing pressure in the area could be one of the reasons for high abundance of sea cucumbers compared to other sites. These findings conform to the principles in establishing a marine sanctuary where organisms could have a chance to recover in areas spared from fishing (Olivades et al. 2010; Dolorosa, 2015; Toral-Granda et al., 2008; Lane, 2008).



Table 2. Average (±95% CI) density (ind/ha) of sea cucumbers in RIWS and in other places. Locality Density (ind/ha) Source Bolinao-Anda Reefs, Philippines (35 species) 63.0 Olivades et al. 2010 Caruray, Palawan, Philippines (25species) 618.0 Sangutan 2015 Tubbataha Reefs, Philippines (8 species) 41.93 Dolorosa 2015 New Cuyo&Malcampo, Palawan (4 species) 66.5 Sornito 2015 Panama (H. mexicana) 161.8 Guzman and Guevara

2002

Panama (I. badionatus) 117.4 Panama (A. multifidus) 4.9 Rasa Island (CA) (8 species) 26.80 (±) This study Rasa Island (HA) (8 species) 89.05 (±) This study Rasa Island (combined CA and HA) 52.95(±) This study

The overall density (52.95 ind/ha) of sea cucumbers in RIWS is higher than in

Tubbataha Reefs but lower compared to other areas in Palawan and elsewhere (Table 2). Also, the abundance of H. scabra and S. horrens in Rasa Island is far lower compared to other areas (Table 3).

Table 3. Density of H. atra and S. horrens in RIWS and in other localities.

Species Locality Density (ind/ha) Source Holothuria scabra Rasa Island 18.81 This study

Mahout Bay, Sultanate of Oman 1770-4000 Al-Rashdi et al. 2007 Solomon Islands 20-220 Mercier et al. 2000 Warrior Reef, Torres Strait, Australia (1 species)

472.83 (1995/96)

Skewes et al. 2000 102.04 (1998) 137.76 (2000)

Stichopus horrens Rasa Island 25.07 This study 70 Carpenter & Niem 1998

Among the sites surveyed, the highest CPUE was noted in Site 5 (Figure 2). However, the average CPUEs for CA (10.91 ind/person/h) and HA (10.51 ind/person/h) were not significantly different (p>0.05) (Figure 2). Also, the CPUEs across five sites were not significantly different (p<0.05).

Figure 2. Average (±95% CI) catch per unit effort (kg/person/h) of eight species of sea cucumber encountered in CA and HA in Rasa Island, Narra, Palawan.


Paduga, Joseph R., and R.G. Dolorosa. 2015. Abundance of Sea Cucumbers and Catch per Unit Efforts in Rasa Island Wildlife Sanctuary, Narra, Palawan. Except for B. marmorata, the dried sizes of harvested sea cucumbers from RIWS

(Figure 3) are much lower than the size limit in other countries. Harvesting sea cucumbers below their size limit or a size before sexual maturity can affect population growth and can lead to localized extinction.

Figure 3. Dried length (cm) and size limit (cm) of commercially harvested sea cucumbers in RIWS. The horizontal line above each bar represents the dried size limit for such species.

CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATIONS AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS The sea cucumbers in RIWS had been overharvested. Income derived from sea cucumber harvesting was very low and with the absence of high valued species, such earnings may continue to decline. Continued harvesting of juveniles could result to localized extinction and eventual closure of the fishery. Local policy affecting the sustainable fisheries of sea cucumbers is urgently needed. REFERENCES Al-Rashdi, K.M., Claereboudt, M.R. Al-Busaidi, S.S. 2007. Density and Size Distribution of the Sea Cucumber,

Holothuria scabra (Jaeger, 1935), at Six Exploited Sites in Mahout Bay, Sultanate of Oman. Agriculture and Marine Sciences, 12:43-51.

Bruckner, A.W., Johnson, K.A. and Field, J.D. 2003 Conservation strategies for sea cucumbers: Can a CITES Appendix II listing promote sustainable international trade? SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 18:24-27.



Carpenter, K.E., Niem, V.H. 1998. The Living Marine Resources of the Western Central Pacific. Volume 2

Cephalopods, crustaceans, holothurians and shark. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Conand, C. and Byrne, M. 1993. A Review of Recent Developments in the World Sea Cucumber Fisheries. Marine Fisheries Review.

Dolorosa, R.G. 2015. The sea cucumbers (Echinodermata: Holothuridea) of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, Philippines. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 35:10-17.

FAO. 1998. Advances in Sea cucumber aquaculture and management. FAO fisheries technical paper 463. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United States Rome. pp. 69-72.

Kerr, A.M., Netchy, K., and Gawel, A.M. 2006. Survey of the shallow-water sea cucumbers of the central Philippines. University of Guam Marine Laboratory. Technical Report No.119:6.

Guzman, H.M., Guevara C.A. 2002. Population Structure Distribution and Abundance of Three Commercial Species of Sea Cucumber (Echinodermata) in Panama. Caribbean Journal of science, 38, No. 3-4, 230-238, 2002.

Jontilla, J.B.S., Balisco, R.A.T., and Matillano, J.A. 2014. The Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) of Palawan, Philippines. AACL Bioflux, 7 (3): 194-205.

Lane, D.J.W. 2008. Distribution and abundance records updated for Thelenota rubralineata in the western Pacific, with notes on the “vacant niche” hyphothesis. SPC Beche de Mer Information Bulletin, 27:29-32.

Mercier, A., Battaglene, S.C., Hamel, J.F. 2000. Periodic movement, recruitment and size-related distribution of the sea cucumber Holothuria scabra in Solomon Islands. Hydrobiologia, 440: 81-100.

Paalan, P.P.P. 2009. Sea cucumbers of Johnson Island, Roxas, Palawan. Undergraduate Thesis, Western Philippines University – Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Philippines.

Purcell, S.W., Samyn, Y. and Conand, C. 2012. Commercially important sea cucumbers of the world. FAO Species catalogue for fishery purposes No. 6. Rome.

Olivades, R.D.D., Edullantes, C.M.A., Juinio-Meñez, M.A. 2010. Assessment of the sea cucumber resource and fishery in the Bolinao-Anda reef system. Science Diliman, 22:1-12.

Sangutan, J.R. 2014. Species Composition, Habitat Distribution, Density and Abundance and size structure of sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) in Caruray, San Vicente, Palawan. Undergraduate Thesis, Bachelor of Science in Fisheries, Western Philippines University – Puerto Princesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City, Philippines.

Skewes, T., Dennis, D., Burridge, C. 2000. Survey of Holothuria scabra (Sandfish) on Warrior Reef, Torres Strait. CSIRO Division of Marine Research Final Report.

Schoppe, S. 2000. Sea cucumber fishery in the Philippines. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 13:10. Sornito, J.K. 2015. Seagrass – Associated sea cucumbers of Malcampo& NewCuyo, Roxas, Palawan.

Undergraduate Thesis. Bachelor of Science in Fisheries. Western Philippines University – Puerto Pricesa Campus, Puerto Princesa City Palawan, Philippines.

Toral-Granda, V., Lovatelli, A., Vasconcellos, M., Conand, C., Hamel, J.F., Mercier, A., Purcell, S. and Uthicke, S. 2008. Sea cucumbers. A global review on fishey and trade. SPC Beche-de-mer Information Bulletin, 28:4-6.


Palon, Mildred P., C.A. Bacosa Jr, M.J.H. Germina, and J.E.C Villa. 2015. Modified Biosand Filter for the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A household Water Treatment.

MODIFIED BIOSAND FILTER FOR THE INDIGENOUS PEOPLES OF PALAWAN, PHILIPPINES: A HOUSEHOLD WATER TREATMENT

Mildred Palatino-Palon1*, Cesario A. Bacosa, Jr.2, Mark Jason H. Germina2, and Jerick Edgar C. Villa2

Palawan Ethno-environmental Research Center (PERC)1 and College of Engineering and Technology2

Holy Trinity University Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

[email protected] (048) 4342161 local 204

ABSTRACT

Fresh water is the essence of life that comes from nature. It is only three (3) percent of all the water on earth. At present, fresh water is highly endangered and faces increasing threats worldwide because people failed to value the fresh water ecosystems.In Palawan, one of the problems of the indigenous people is the lack of safe drinking water because of the intrusion of excess agro-chemicals, sediment load from improperly managed quarry sites, crop/forest lands, and eroding stream banks; and bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, urban runoffs and faulty septic tanks to the rivers.This reason motivated the Research, Development and Extension Office of Holy Trinity University to help the indigenous peoples of Palawan to have a supply of safe drinking water. In 2009, Holy Trinity University provided a water purifier to the Tagbanua of Sugod 1,Barangay Cabayugan, Puerto Princesa City and several units of Biosand Filter to the different communities of indigenous peoples. But since a lot of communities of indigenous peoples need to have potable water to drink, the institution needs more budget and partners to continue the project. The situation inspired the researchers to come up with a research on modified biosand filter which will produce biosand filter which is lighter in weight and less expensive. The method used in the study is experimental. The output is a modified biosand filter with modified outer shell and filter media which is as effective as the biosand filter available in the market but it is easy to handle and less expensive. Keywords:biosand filter, indigenous peoples, dirty layer, outer shell, filter media



Palon, Mildred P., C.A. Bacosa Jr, M.J.H. Germina, and J.E.C Villa. 2015. Modified Biosand Filter for the

Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A household Water Treatment.

INTRODUCTION

Fresh water contains less than 0.5 per thousand of dissolved salts and it can be obtained in groundwater, ponds, lakes, and rivers. At present, fresh water is highly endangered and faces increasing threats worldwide because people failed to value the fresh water ecosystems. (Higgins,et.al., 2011)

According to Conservation International (2010), half of the world population is sick with water-borne diseases, while one out of six has no clean water. In Palawan, Philippines, the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (2009) reported that, the rivers in Palawan are generally polluted by excess agro-chemicals such as fertilizers and pesticides, oil and grease; sediment load from improperly managed quarry sites, crop/forest lands, and eroding stream banks; and bacteria and nutrients from livestock, pet wastes, urban runoffs and faulty septic tanks.

With these data, it is alarming to note that according to the Provincial Government of Palawan, 60.50 percent of households do not have access to safe water or the water sources come from rivers, lakes and not through piped water facility or closed well water system.

These reasons might be responsible for the diarrhea cases of almost three hundred villagers including Palao-an tribes of Sitio Lanao, Barangay Colandanum, Bataraza, Palawan last April 2011. It was claimed as cholera caused bydrinking contaminated water. But the water samples tested revealed the presence of Vibrio cholera and gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli. (David C. Klinzing, et. al., 2011 and DOH, 2011)

The information gathered motivated the researchers in conducting the study which aimed to produce household water treatment equipment in the form of biosand filter that is less than 150 kilograms, less expensive, and with portable outer shell to be able to encourage the indigenous people of Palawan to own one for the safety of the tribe’s drinking water. METHODOLOGY

The study made use of experimental method and it involved two major research activities. The first research activity dealt with the designing, production and testing of the modified biosand filter using fiber glass for its outer shell and it was compared to the original biosand filter as to dimension, size, cost, weight, portability, and materials used.

The second research activity focused on the modified biosand filter media. It involved the collection of sand and gravel, sieving of sand and gravel using sieve 1:12 mm, sieve 2:6 mm and sieve 3:1mm, washing of sand and gravel, making of diffuser and lid, installation of the filter and testing of the modified biosand filter efficiency in terms of flow rate and water quality. In determining the physical, chemical and bacterial properties of water treated with modified biosand filter, the researchers tested the water samples at Puerto Princesa Water District, Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa City. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

The Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) was constructed. It has portable outer shell with the size of 20 inches x 7inches x 7 inches.” It costs at least two thousand five hundred pesos (Php 2,500.00), and it made use of fiber glass and hose. The results showed that the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) is smaller, portable, less expensive, it has a flow rate of 3 minutes per liter, and it can be produced in three weeks. While the commercially available Biosand Filter (BSF) has a size of 37 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches, it costs seven thousandseven hundred


Palon, Mildred P., C.A. Bacosa Jr, M.J.H. Germina, and J.E.C Villa. 2015. Modified Biosand Filter for the Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A household Water Treatment.

pesos (7, 700.00), it is made of cement and tube, it can be produced in three to four weeks and its outer shell weighs 250 kilograms.

In terms of filter media, the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) used the ratio of 12.4 inches of 0.04 fine sand, 1.16 inches of small gravel, 1.16 inches of large gravel, 1.16 inches of standing water and 3.6 inches of reservoir. The ratio presented only implies that the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) is lighter when compared to the commercially available Biosand Filter (BSF) which is using the ratio of 21.4 inches of 0.04 fine sand, 2 inches of small gravel, 2 inches of large gravel, 2 inches of standing water and a reservoir of 6.25 inches.

The treatment efficiency of the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) was also observed after three weeks when the dirty layer or the layer that acts as a fine filter and ‘eats up’ some of the disease-causing microbes in the water was formed.

The physical tests revealed that the water samples treated using Modified Biosand Filter has a salinity of 0.194 parts per million, 260 milligrams per milliliter of total dissolved solids, 400 µS conductivity, 7.8 pH, and it is colorless, odorless and not turbid. While the chemical tests showed that, the Modified Biosand Filter was able to remove the following chemicals: Phosphate, Phosphorus, Manganese, Chromium, Iron, Sulfate, Sodium, Chloride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Calcium carbonate, Calcium and Magnesium present in water to the level accepted by the Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water of 2007.

In terms of efficiency in removing the bacteria in water, the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) was able to remove 100 percent of the bacteria using Heterotrophic Plate Counts (HPC).

The findings only show that the Modified Biosand Filter which is smaller and cheaper has the same treatment efficiency when compared to commercially available Biosand Filter (BSF). It also implies that the Modified Biosand Filter can be a good alternative household water treatment for the indigenous people to prevent future diarrhea outbreak which affected a lot of villagers in the past.

CONCLUSION The Modified Biosand Filter is smaller, lighter, less expensive, can be produced in three weeks and its treatment efficiency is the same with the commercially available Biosand Filter, so it is a good alternative household water treatment not only for the indigenous peoples of Palawan but also to all households that needs potable drinking water. RECOMMMENDATIONS

Holy Trinity University should continue its project of producing Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) as household water treatment for the indigenous peoples of Palawan and to all households that needs potable drinking water by establishing linkages with funding agencies that will help support the project.

It is also recommended that trainings on the installation of filter media be given to every beneficiary of the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) so that each household will understand the concept of MBSF and own it because they are part of its construction. FUTURE DIRECTIONS Make the Modified Biosand Filter (MBSF) as a Community Project.


Palon, Mildred P., C.A. Bacosa Jr, M.J.H. Germina, and J.E.C Villa. 2015. Modified Biosand Filter for the

Indigenous Peoples of Palawan, Philippines: A household Water Treatment.

REFERENCES Andaya, Cynthia V., Understanding the Earth through Environmental Science, Quezon City, Philippines: C & E

Publishing, Inc., 2008 Conservation International, 2015 Cunningham, William P., Principles of Environmental Science, New York: McGraw-Hill Companies, 2006 Duke, WF, et.al., “The Use and Performance of BioSand Filters in the Artibonite Valley of Haiti, A Field Study

of 107 Households,” http://www.cawst.org/en/resources/pubs/research-a-technical-updates/category/7-peer-reviewed-research Accessed Date: November 3, 2011

Ecosan, “Clean Water Act of 2004,” http://www.ecosan.ph/index.php?option=com_ content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=39 Accessed Date: November 3, 2011.

Greenpeace Southeast Asia, “The State of Water Resources in the Philippines,” http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/seasia/en/press/reports/the-state-of-water-in-the-phil.pdf Accessed Date: November 1, 2011.

Kelly, Ronan, “Philippines: Alerts on Cholera, Diarrhea Cases,” http://www.abs-cbnnews.com Accessed Date: November 2, 2011

Klinzing, David C., et. al., “Hybrid Vibrio cholerae El Tor Lacking SXT Identified as the Cause of a Cholera Outbreak in the Philippines,” www.healthnews.com, Accessed Date: November 20, 2011

Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Report, 2009 Philippine National Standard for Drinking Water of 2007 Provincial Government of Palawan Human Development Report, 2010 Tearfund International Learning Zone, “Biosand Filters,” http://tilz.tearfund.org/

Publications/Footsteps+6170/Footsteps+67/Biosand+filters.htm Accessed Date: November 3, 2011 United Nations Environment Programme, “Fresh Water Issues,”

http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Issues/Freshwater.asp#pollution Accessed Date: November 2, 2011 WEPA, “State of Water Environmental Issues,” http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/philippines/overview.htm

Accessed Date: November 1, 2011 Acknowledgment Holy Trinity University

Puerto Princesa Water District


http://www.cawst.org/en/resources/pubs/research-a-technical-updates/category/7-peer-reviewed-research

http://www.cawst.org/en/resources/pubs/research-a-technical-updates/category/7-peer-reviewed-research

http://www.ecosan.ph/index.php?option=com_%20content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=39



http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/seasia/en/press/reports/the-state-of-water-in-the-phil.pdf

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/

http://www.healthnews.com/

http://tilz.tearfund.org/%20Publications/Footsteps+6170/Footsteps+67/Biosand+filters.htm



http://www.unep.or.jp/ietc/Issues/Freshwater.asp%23pollution

http://www.wepa-db.net/policies/state/philippines/overview.htm

Perez, Marianne Faith G.M., K. Okuoka, H. Tanikawa. 2015. Material Flow and Stock Analysis to Support Sustainable Development Assessment in Palawan Philippines.

MATERIAL FLOW AND STOCK ANALYSIS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT IN PALAWAN PHILIPPINES

Marianne Faith G. Martinico-Perez1,2, Keijiro Okuoka1, Hiroki Tanikawa1

1Graduate School of Environmental Studies, Nagoya University Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Japan

2Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Staff Puerto Princesa City, Philippines

[email protected]

ABSTRACT

The analysis of material flow and stocks depicts the interaction between the environment and socio-economic systems. This study is among of the first attempts to utilize the indicators of material flow accountsand determine the trends and implications to socio-economic growth and the consequent environmental pressures in the province Palawan. Materials considered in this study are categorized in terms of biomass, construction minerals, fossil energy carriers, and ore and industrial minerals. Results of the study show that domestic extraction (DE) increased from 1.5 tonnes/capita in 2000 to 6.5 tonnes/capita in 2012; 79% of which are comprised by ore and industrial minerals, construction minerals, and fossil energy carriers. Domestic material consumption (DMC) per capita is 3.4 tonnes in 2012, showing that half of extracted materials are exported and utilized in other socio-economic systems in the Philippines and other parts of the world. The processed and consumed materials in the socio-economic system would eventually revert to environment as solid wastes, wastewater or emissions to air. The amount of solid wastes generated in the province grew from 0.091 tonnes/capita in 2000 to 0.111 tonnes/capita in 2012. Despite of the increased extraction and consumption of natural resources, the poverty incidence in Palawan remain higher than the national average. Development strategies and policies for Palawan should be geared towards economic activities that are less resource intensive, minimal environmental impacts and would provide livelihood opportunities and inclusive growth for all in the province. Strengthening the system of material accounting is also important to obtain a sustainable data for policy decision making towards sustainable resource management in the province of Palawan. Keywords: material consumption, indicators, socio-economic growth, physical economy, natural resources



INTRODUCTION The technological advances, demographic and economic growth on the onset of 20th century resulted to unprecedented growth in global material extraction. Within this period, the material extraction of construction materials grew by a factor of 34, ores and mineral by a factor of 27, fossil energy carriers by 12 and biomass by a factor of 3.6 in the global scale. Recognizing the finite, limited supply and unequal distribution of natural resources, its overexploitation has been identified as one of the major global environmental problems (UNEP 2011; Giljum 2010). The urgency for all nations to take action is highlighted in the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) released by United Nations (UN) in August 2015, where one of the goals is to ensure the sustainable production and consumption patterns. Sustainable consumption and production demands for a “production and use of services and related products, which respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life while minimizing the use of natural resources and toxic materials as well as the emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle of the service or product so as not to jeopardize the needs of future generations” (UNEP 2015). Whether it is global, regional or national scale, the information on the dynamics of material resource extraction and consumption is necessary to establish and implement actions towards sustainable consumption and production. Disaggregating to smaller regional units such as cities, districts, provinces and other units is important since the environmental pressures related to material extraction and consumption can be site-specific, and are better dealt with locally (Tachibana et al. 2008). This study is focused in the province of Palawan, dubbed to be the country’s last ecological frontier. Palawan’s biodiversity and natural landscapes have been attracting local and foreign tourists while the rich deposits of mineral ores as well as oil and natural gas draws attention to national and foreign investors. The province is faced with similar challenges of balancing natural resource use and advancing economic growth. While it is imperative to hasten economic growth, it is at the same time crucial to understand the trends and its relationship of resource use in the province.

This study attempts to utilize the indicators of material flow and stocks to identify the trends and implications of material extraction and consumption to socio-economic growth and the consequent environmental pressures in the province Palawan. METHODOLOGY

The accounting of material flow and stock in Palawan is based on the developed and standardized method of Economy-Wide Material Flow Accounts (EW-MFA) of Eurostat (2001 and 2013). Compiled materials are categorized in terms of biomass, fossil energy carriers, metal ores and industrial minerals and construction minerals. Provincial data on mining and natural gas production were compiled from the Philippine Yearbook (2002, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2012). Annual data on agriculture (rice, corn and other crops) and fishery harvests were taken from the website of Bureau of Agricultural Statistics. Data on trade (import and export) of materials were taken from the Philippine Ports Authority in Puerto Princesa City. Socio-economic data for the province of Palawan were taken from Philippine Statistical Yearbook (2014) and Community Based Monitoring System (CBMS) data of Provincial Planning and Development Office, Provincial Government of Palawan. Data of solid wastes disposed to sanitary landfill were requested from the Solid Wastes Management Office of City of Puerto Princesa. For other municipalities, solid wastes generation data were estimated based at 0.25 kg/capita to 0.3 kg/capita (Atienza 2011; PPC-SW Data).



The quantity of all materials is expressed in terms of mass (weight in tonnes) per year.

In this research, the physical material flow is determined with the focus on the direct material flow or the economically used resources only.

Calculation of indicators of material flow (see Martinico-Perez and Tanikawa 2015) in Palawan was done from 2000 to 2012. Domestic extraction (DE) is based on sum of the materials taken from the domestic environment of Palawan. Domestic material input is equivalent to the sum of DE and imports, while domestic material consumption (DMC) is calculated based on the difference of DMI and exports. Physical trade balance (PTB) is taken from the amount of import less the export materials in Palawan. Imports and exports in this study refer to the materials crossing the geographical and administrative boundaries of the province of Palawan.


The indicators of EW-MFA in Palawan from 2000 to 2012 are shown in Figure 1. This figure highlights the trends of material flow and stock in the province of Palawan. The domestic extraction increased by 5-folds from 1.4 Mt (Million tonnes) to 7 Mt in 2012. The domestic material input increased from 1.6 Mt in 2000 to 8.0 Mt in 2012. The domestic material consumption (DMC) increased by 3-folds from 1.1 Mt in 2000 to 3.6 Mt in 2012, while the exports increased by more than 7-folds, from 0.60 Mt in 2000 to 4.4 Mt in 2012. The amount of export in 2002 increased significantly due to the metal ores and fossil energy carriers (natural gas and oil). The balancing indicator, PTB showed in negative values indicates the increasing amount of materials going outside Palawan annually. The PTB since 2000 has negative values from -0.37 Mt in 2000 to -3.46 Mt in 2012, denoting that most of the extracted materials are not consumed in the domestic economy of Palawan.

Figure 1. Trends of indicators of EW-MFA in Palawan, 2000 to 2012.

The general picture for the material flow and stock account in 2012 is shown in Figure 2. Most of the material inputs (88%) in Palawan are supplied by domestic environment, and 12% were sourced-out from other socio-economic systems, either within the Philippines or from other countries. However, in terms of material consumption, only 45% of material inputs are consumed in Palawan, majority or 55% are supplied to other socio-economic systems. The extracted fossil energy carriers (natural gas and crude oil) are processed and consumed in other regions of the Philippines, while the metal ores are shipped outside the country.



Figure 2. Material stock and flow in Palawan in 2012, in Mt.

The consumed materials in Palawan either remain for a certain period as net addition

to stocks (NAS) accounting to 52% of DMC or return to environment in the form of solid wastes for final disposal (3% of DMC). The net addition to stocks accounted in this study is based on the construction minerals (sand and gravel, cement, and steel) utilized in private buildings only. The remaining 45% of materials are left unaccounted in the socio-economic system. Infrastructures such as buildings and roads are built to cater the needs of the growing socio-economic activities in the province. While active construction sector signals an expanding economy, the extraction of construction minerals such as sand and gravel through river and mountain quarries to supply the increasing demand should be regulated as well. Quarry activities in the rivers result to the increased siltation and deterioration of the water quality, thus the beneficial usage of the rivers to the human decreased.

Figure 3 shows the disaggregated data of domestic material consumption per capita from 2000 to 2012. The material consumption increased from 1.3 tonnes/capita in 2000 to 3.4 tonnes/capita in 2012. Trends show that there is a shift in material consumption from renewable (biomass) to nonrenewable materials (construction minerals) in the province of Palawan. The huge amount of extracted natural gas and crude oil is not reflected in the fossil energy consumption in the province.

Despite of being a major supplier of natural gas in the country, Palawan imports fossil energy carriers such as crude oil and other petroleum products for domestic energy requirement. In fact, Palawan is currently running short of its supply (142 million kWh) with respect to its demand (160 million kWh) of energy (Palawan Electric Cooperative 2015). This power requirement is even expected to increase continuously as the service and industry sectors in the province continue to expand, as well as the growing population.

Figure 3. Domestic material consumption per capita in the province of Palawan.



As Palawan’s standard of living is improving, the consumption and disposal of consumer goods and products also increase significantly. The quantity of the solid wastes generated for final disposal sites such as sanitary landfill or dumpsites grew by 57%, with 68,931 tonnes in 2000 to 120,780 tonnes in 2012. The tourism activities result to the influx of tourists in the province could be one of the drivers of wastes and wastewater generation and discharge. The increasing amount of wastes if not provided with adequate solid wastes disposal facilities would pollute the environment through waterways, land and soil, as well as emission of noxious gases. Likewise, the wastewater discharge from recreational areas and facilities should also be treated properly before the final discharge to bodies of waters.

Table 1 shows the comparison of population, real income and material extraction and consumption in Palawan from 2000 to 2012. The indicators of material extraction and consumption grew at a rate faster than population in province.

Table 1. Growth rates of population and material extraction and consumption in Palawan.

Indicator 2000 2012 Growth Factor Population1, million 0.755 1.07 1.42 DE, tonnes/capita 1.5 6.5 4.33 DMC, tonnes/capita 1.30 3.40 2.62 Solid wastes, kg/capita 91 111 1.22 References: 1CBMS (2012) In the absence of Gross Provincial Domestic Product (GPDP), indicators such as

population growth, human development index and poverty indicators were utilized to re0late the resource utilization in the socio-economic growth in the province. Palawan’s population (with Puerto Princesa City) is growing at a rate of 3.0, higher than the national average of 1.9 in 2000-2010 (PY 2012; PPDO 2012). In 2012, 58% of the Palawan’s work force is employed in agriculture and fisheries sectors while a growing portion of 33% are earned income through services sectors and 9% employed in industry sector. In 2009 human development index (HDI) data, Palawan has 0.498, lower than national average of 0.609 (NSCB data, 2012). Although the poverty incidence among population declined from 52% in 2003 to 26.4% in 2012, it remained higher than the Philippine average of 25.2% in 2012 (PSY 2014). The per capita gross regional domestic product (GRDP) (based on Region IVB) increased significantly from Php 34,440 in 2002 to Php 81,575 (constant 2000 prices) in 2012 (PSY 2002, 2014) while the real per capita income of Palawan in 2009 (Php 37,698) is below the national average of Php 46,135 (NSCB data, 2012).

The extraction and consumption of materials grew rapidly from 2000 to 2012 but the socio-economic growth in the province has been slow and narrow. With current policies that gears towards accelerating the economic growth in the country and in the province of Palawan, the material extraction and consumption is expected to grow at a higher rate, thus the consequent impacts to the natural ecosystem.

CONCLUSION AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

This study utilized the indicators of material flow and stock accounts to draw empirical analysis on the trends of socio-economic and resource of Palawan. Results show that material extraction and consumption grew at factors higher than the population, while socio-economic indicators such as human development index is lower and poverty indicators remain higher than that of the Philippines.



The material flow and stock accounts/analysis provides overview of natural resource

management and utilization with respect to the economic growth. Continuous assessment using the indicators of material flow and stock accounts would facilitate the transition and aid in the decisions and policy making and evaluation towards the sustainable resource management in Palawan.

Palawan should maximize the strengths in the current socio-economic-political environment in the province towards the possible transitioning from current brown environment to a sustainable consumption and production and green economy. The strengths lie on the established policies and institutions in the province, the rich and diverse natural resources that need to be protected and managed sustainably, and the active service sectors that could fuel inclusive economic growth with minimal extraction of natural resources. Such strengths provide opportunities to engage and invest on the green jobs, efficient agricultural sector based on the traditional yet innovative approach that would reduce importation and encourage local farmers to produce quality and high value crops. Clean energy and renewable sources in the province should be explored to address the current power shortages while at the same time redirect the current dependence on fossil fuels. ACKNOWLEDGMENT

This research was financially supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (1-1402, 2-1404) of the Ministry of Environment, Japan.

REFERENCES Chiu, A.S.F. 2012. Green Economy and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the Philippines.

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Santos, Mudjekeewis, J.T. Williams, K.L. Carpenter, A. Lizano, N.A.L. Flores. 2015. Collaboration on the Inventory and DNA Barcoding of Commercial Fishes of the Philippines for Food Safety and Biodiversity: Palawan Sampling.

COLLABORATION ON THE INVENTORY AND DNA BARCODING OF COMMERCIAL FISHES OF THE PHILIPPINES FOR FOOD SAFETY AND

BIODIVERSITY: PALAWAN SAMPLING

Jeff T. Williams1, Kent Carpenter2, Apollo Lizano3 Nicko Amor L. Flores4 and Mudjekeewis Santos4*

1Division of Fishes, National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution, Washington DC, USA; 2Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA; 3 The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines and 4Genetic Fingerprinting Laboratory, National Fisheries Research and Development Institute, Quezon City, Philippines

ABSTRACT The fish fauna of the Philippines is one of the most diverse in the world and this

produces a wide diversity of fish species represented in the commercial markets of the Philippines. In fact, there have been numerous reports of recent discoveries of new species of marine organisms in the country. Because of this, there is a need to conduct and establish a comprehensive inventory of food fishes in the Philippines. In addition, correct taxonomic identification of filets and partial specimens is often difficult and misidentification can lead to potential food safety problems. It is particularly important to develop methods to identify regulated species and/or potentially toxic species, such as pufferfishes (tetradotoxin), in markets. A DNA (using the mitochondrial CO1 gene) barcoding reference database of commercial and similar species will allow ready identification of mislabeled species. Advances in the technologies applying these results to use in commercial markets should provide inexpensive and portable equipment to confirm identification of market items. The Palawan sampling was conducted from April 2-11, 2014 at 34 different stations. As this is a baseline inventory study, commercial fish markets and fish landings at a variety of locations around the island of Palawan were visited and fish samples were purchased from local vendors and fishermen. Each specimen obtained was photographed to capture the fresh color pattern, a tissue sample was taken and preserved, the voucher specimen was tagged with a unique identifying number, and the specimens were then preserved in formalin to subsequently be archived as reference vouchers at the NMNH/SI with a unique link to the CO1 DNA barcode for food safety and biodiversity. All specimens were explicitly labelled with place of origin/collection site and collection date. Tissue samples were collected in duplicate for each specimen for total DNA extraction, analysis, storage and applications. A total of 144 vouchered samples of commercial fish species were taken in the markets and at fish landings in Palawan. In only eight days of sampling at Palawan, we were able to take vouchered samples representing 109 different species. Even after four years of sampling at fish markets throughout the Philippines, we found specimens representing 66 species we collected nowhere else in the Philippines. In many cases this is simply due to limited sampling time during each sampling period, but some of the species sampled during this sampling period are found within the Philippines only at Palawan. The Freckled tilefish, Branchiostegus sawakinensis,was commonly seen in the markets in Puerto Princessa, but we have not found it in other parts of the Philippines. This tilefish has a disjunct distribution, known only from the Red Sea, South Africa, Indonesia to Western and Northern Australia and at Palawan, Philippines. Differences in color pattern in different parts of its range suggest that this might possibly be a species complex and needs additional taxonomic study.



The Hookfin cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus griffini, was also found only in Palawan in the Philippines, but it occurs elsewhere at Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia. Additional sampling in the Palawan region would undoubtedly reveal other species only occurring in Palawan, Philippines.

Keywords: DNA, barcoding, commercial fishes, inventory, Palawan, biodiversity INTRODUCTION

The Philippines is endowed with highly diverse marine resources resulting in its being considered as the epicenter of the world’s biodiversity of fishes (Carpenter and Springer 2005). The Philippines continues to have high rates of species discovery. Many unidentified and mislabeled organisms may be found in the Philippine markets. Because of this, there is a need to conduct and establish a comprehensive inventory of food fishes in the Philippines. In addition, correct taxonomic identification of filets and partial specimens is often difficult and misidentification can lead to potential food safety problems. It is particularly important to develop methods to identify regulated species and/or potentially toxic species, such as pufferfishes (tetradotoxin), in markets. A DNA (using the mitochondrial CO1 gene) barcoding reference database of commercial and potentially toxic fish species will allow ready identification of mislabeled species. Advances in the technologies applying these results to use in commercial markets should provide inexpensive and portable equipment to confirm identification of market items. METHODOLOGY

The Palawan sampling was conductedfrom April 2-11, 2014 at 34 different stations. As this is a baseline inventory study, commercial fish markets and fish landings at a variety of locations around the island of Palawan were visited and fish samples werepurchased from local vendors and fishermen.Each specimen obtained was photographed to capture the fresh color pattern, a tissue sample was taken and preserved, the voucher specimen was tagged with a unique identifying number, and the specimens were then preserved in formalin to subsequently be archived as reference vouchers at the NMNH/SI with a unique link to the CO1 DNA barcode for food safety and biodiversity. All specimens were explicitly labelled with place of origin/collection site and collection date. Tissue samples were collected in duplicate for each specimen fortotal DNA extraction, analysis, storage and applications.



Figure 1. Palawan Sampling Stations

Results and Discussion

A total of 144 vouchered samples of commercial fish species were taken in the markets and at fish landings on Palawan. In only eight days of sampling at Palawan, we were able to take vouchered samples representing 109 different species. Even after four years of sampling at fish markets throughout the Philippines, we found specimens representing 66 species we collected nowhere else in the Philippines. In many cases this is simply due to limited sampling time during each sampling period, but some of the species sampled during this sampling period are found within the Philippines only at Palawan.

The Freckled tilefish, Branchiostegus sawakinensis,was commonly seen in the markets in Puerto Princessa, but we have not found it in other parts of the Philippines (Fig. 2A). This tilefish has a disjunct distribution, known only from the Red Sea, South Africa, Indonesia to Western and Northern Australia and at Palawan, Philippines. Differences in color pattern in different parts of its range suggest that this might possibly be a species complex and needs additional taxonomic study. The Hookfin cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus griffini, was also found only in Palawan in the Philippines, but it occurs elsewhere at Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia (Fig. 2B). The Chelidoperca santosi, Pogi perchlet, anewly discovered species collected from the public market in Iloilo City, Panay Philippines was said to be captured by fisherman in waters off Palawan (Williams and Carpenter, 2015) (Fig. 2C).



Figure 2. (A) Freckled Tilefish, Branchiostegus sawakinensis (B) Hookfin Cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus griffini (C) Pogi Perchlet, Chelidoperca santosi (Photos By: J.T. Williams, National Museum Of Natural History, Smithsonian Insitution) CONCLUSION, RECOMMENDATION AND POLICY IMPLICATION

This study provides valuable baseline information for biodiversity studies, conservation and fisheries management. Additional sampling in the Palawan region will undoubtedly reveal additional species that are previously unreported and are undescribed new species that may occuronly in Palawan, Philippines. REFERENCES Carpenter, K.E. and V.G. Springer. 2005. Environmental Biology of Fishes (2005) 72: 467-480. Williams, J.T. and K.E. Carpenter. 2015. A new fish species of the subfamily Serraninae

(Perciformes, Serranidae) from the Philippines. Zootaxa. 3911:287-293.

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