Exercise 2: Survey on Non-timber Forest Products in Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga, Albay

Angelo B. Balmes1, Sean Jeffrey Bruzo1, Mikko M. Marayan1, Ivy Agnote1, Shawn Genesis
Penala1, & Mariel Palmiano1
1
Bachelor of Science in Forestry, Bicol University - Guinobatan, Guinobatan 4503, Philippines

1. Introduction  Characterize the NTFPs according

to each establishment’s inventory;
Non-timber forest products (NTFPs)  Record a proper documentation
are any products and services other than during the survey;
timber that are derived from forests. They  Summarize what classification of
include fruits and nuts, medicinal plants, NTFPs has the highest distribution
resins, and a range of fibrous materials using a frequency graph; and
 Formulate a comprehensive
such as bamboo, rattan, palms, and
conclusion based on the NTFPs
grasses, among other resources (CIFOR, frequency distribution.
n.d.). Talukdar et al. highlighted how they
are vital in sustaining and meeting the 2. Materials and Methods
sources of livelihood in rural communities.
These resources are used by local 2.1. Study Area
communities for subsistence, income
generation, and cultural practices, and they The study was carried out on March
are traded either locally and internationally 14, 2023, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.,
as raw materials or finished goods. within the Cagsawa Ruins Park, which is
geographically located in Brgy. Busay,
The Philippines is known for its rich Municipality of Daraga, Province of Albay.
biodiversity and forest resources, which The data of the NFTPs were gathered from
include a wide variety of NTFPs. Among the the mini-stores within the vicinity of the
park.
mentioned NTFPs in the country are
Canarium and almaciga resins; rattan; wild The specific coordinates of the
honey; bamboos; anahaw leaves; vines; establishments are as follows:
hinggiw; lukmoy; and hagnaya (Ella, n.d.). Establishment 1 is located at 13°9'54" north
Meanwhile, in the Bicol Region, a case and 123°42'1" east longitude; establishment
study described the abundance of abaca establishments 3 and 4 are located
and how it is used by farmers in the 123°42'3"
production of marketable fibers (Eastin,
Garcia, & Cortiguerra, 2001). Thus, in the
province of Albay, the most commercially
used NFTPs are pili and abaca, where both
are flexible in terms of many uses and
therefore high in economic demand.

Moreover, this exercise seeks to

assess the Non-Timber Forest Products
(NTFPs) in Cagsawa Ruins, Daraga, Albay
by conducting a survey. Specifically, this
exercise seeks to: Figure 1. Inset A map shows the location of the
establishments within the municipality of
 List the different types of NTFPs Daraga, whereas the green area represents to
within the study area; the municipality in this map. Inset B map shows

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a closer look of the establishments within the
Cagsawa Ruins Park. titude and 123°42'1" east longitude;
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La

Plate 1. Photo documentation (A to E) showing the coordinates of establishments 1 to 5, respectively.

The NTFPs were characterized

2 is located at 13°9'54" north latitude and according to the total number of products
123°42'3" east longitude; both per establishment and the corresponding
establishments 3 and 4 are located at raw materials used. Hence, the observed
13°9'57" north latitude and 123°42'1" east products and by-products were grouped
longitude; and establishment 5 is located at under seven (7) categories, according to he
13°9'56" north latitude and 123°42'1" east the Proposed Classification of NTFPs for
longitude (Plate 1, p. 2). under seven (7) categories, according to
the
2.2. Materials and Methods Used

Primary data were gathered from

selected local vendors through personal
interviews. A total of five (5) establishments
were randomly selected for evaluation.
Permissions and consent to conduct
interviews were observed, during which the
students asked questions regarding the
inventory of their products. Secondary data
from related literature were obtained from
researches, journals, search engines, and
online databases, among other sources.

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 The data collected were analyzed
and presented in Tables 1.1 to 1.5, showing
the number of products per establishment
and their corresponding raw materials used
for production.
Table 1.1. The number of products with their
corresponding materials in Establishment 1.
Establishment 1 (Rianjam Native Crafts)
Materials Specific Total number
Products per products
(pcs.)
Abaca Bags 200
Hammocks 10
Placemats 272
Macram 20
Lampshades 10
Tissue holder 30
Mini fans 60
Figure 2. Flow diagram of the systematic Wallets 40
process of overall execution of the exercise. Nito Decoration balls 100
Buri Small banig 18
Kingkong fans 4
Karagumoy Banig 50
Rattan Bags 17
Proposed Classification of NTFPs for the Jute Slippers 100
Philippines, namely: sources of fiber and Pili Jarred pili nuts 10
Anahaw Salakot 4
structural materials; plants producing Regular fans 70
medicinal and cosmetic products; plants
that yield extractive or chemical products; Table 1.2. The number of products with their
sources of essential oils; sources of seed corresponding materials in Establishment 2.
Establishment 2 (Lilay’s Pasalubong atbp.)
oils; sources of edible fruits and nuts; and Materials Specific Total number
animal-derived products, among others Products per products
(Razal & Palijon, 2009). Moreover, the (pcs.)
Pili Sweetened pili 400
students identified the total distribution of nuts (jarred)
NTFPs per category using a frequency Sweetened pili 250
nuts (sachet)
graph. To calculate the frequency, the Jarred pili nuts 300
number of products according to category is Pili tarts 460
divided by the total number of observed Pili for the Gods 350
Pili yema 4500
products. It is then multiplied by 100 to Pili nut brittle 250
measure the percentage of its occurrence. Pili polvoron 450
Barquiron de Pili 300
Pudding de Pili 450
Suspiros de Pili 400
In addition, to determine the location Natong Laing 500
Dried Natong 60 bundles
of the study area, the students utilized
GeoCam. Likewise, ArcMap 10.4 software Table 1.3. The number of products with their
has been utilized to plot the provided corresponding materials in Establishment 3.
coordinates of the establishments onto the Establishment 3 (AJ Souvenir Store)
map of the study area (Figure 1, p. 1). Materials Specific Products Total number
per products
(pcs.)
Pili Pili tarts 70
Jarred pili nuts 40
2.3. Data Analysis Pili nut brittle 30
Coconut jam wiith 20
pili
Buri Bayong 20
Abaca Tissue holder 8
Bags 70
Coin purse 250

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 number of observed products yields 11,402
Cosmetic bag 100
products within five (5) establishments.
Table 1.4. The number of products with their
Table 2. Summary of total number of NTFPs
corresponding materials in Establishment 4.
Establishment 4
with their corresponding raw materials.
Materials 1 2 3 4 5 Total
Materials Specific Products Total number
Pili 10 8110 160 245 16 8541
per products Abaca 642 — 448 300 435 1825
(pcs.) Nito 100 — — 10 23 133
Pili Key chains 150 Buri 22 — 20 50 — 92
Pili polvoron 45 Karagumoy 50 — — — — 50
Pili tarts 30 Rattan 17 — — — — 17
Pili nut brittle 20 Jute 100 — — — — 100
Abaca Tissue holder 25 Anahaw 74 — — — — 74
Slippers 100 Natong — 960 — — — 560
Bags 90 Ornamental — — — 10 — 10
Hammock 15 TOTAL 11,402
Wallets 35 Note: The number 1-5 refers to the establishments,
Pot pads 20 respectively.
Lampshades 15
Nito Lampshades 10
Buri Hats 50
The Philippines is the only nation
Ornamental Orchids (Vanda sp.) 10 that can cultivate and manufacture pili-
based products, with the Bicol Region
Table 1.5. The number of products with their providing about 80% of the total output
corresponding materials in Establishment 5. volume, at 4,932.60 metric tons. It represents
Establishment 5 (Jeicel Souvenir Shop) a vital role in the Bicol Region economy, 90
Materials Specific Products Total number
per products
% of the nut’s total production area in the
(pcs.) Philippines, wherein 13,435 farmers who
Pili Key chains 16 possess at least 10 trees, as well as
Nito Lampshades 10 agricultural workers recruited as harvesters,
Plates 13
Abaca Decoration balls 10 receive additional income from it (De Jesus
Pot holder 20 & Gamis, 2021; Aning, 2023). On the other
Bags 13 hand, the Philippines is the top producer of
Trays 10
Wallets 250
abaca fibers, wherein the Bicol Region is
Wine basket 3 likewise the top producer of abaca, with a
Sling bags 50 28.94 thousand metric ton (40.1%)
Food cover 6
Slipper 50
contribution to the Philippine abaca industry
Tissue holder 23 (PCAARRD, n.d.). Most of the abaca fiber is
3. Results and Discussion processed into high-value products, like
baskets, chairs, bags, accessories,
3.1. Products per Establishment in lampshades, furniture, and other Bicol
Cagsawa Ruins Park native products (PhilFIDA, n.d.).

The survey showed that the most 3.2. Category of NTFPs traded in
frequently occurring materials that have Cagsawa Ruins Park
been used are pili and abaca, with 8,541
and 1,825 total products, respectively. Pili- The data shown in Table 3 refer to
based products have 8,025 pili kernels as the overall categorized products according
finished goods, 350 raw pili kernels, and to the Proposed Classification of NTFPs for
166 processed nutshells. Among other the Philippines by Razal and Palijon (2009).
products are as follows: 960 pieces of The overall result of the frequency graph
natong (taro) products; 133 pieces of nito shows that pili, as a highly regarded source
vines; 100 pieces of jute-based products; of edible fruits and nuts, has the highest
92 pieces of buri-based products; 74 pieces distribution of NTFPs in the study area,
of anahaw-based products; 50 pieces of which accounts for 8,375 (73.45%) products
karagumoy-based products; 17 pieces of (Figure 3, p. 5). The 350 pieces of raw pili
rattan-based products; and 10 pieces of kernels are also categorized under and as
orchids (Table 2, p. 4). Overall, the total sources of seed oils (3.07%) and plants

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producing medicinal and cosmetic products Plant Sources of Edible Fruits 8375
and Nuts
(3.07%). Animal-Derived Products 0
Others 560
A variety of NTFPs, as sources of Note: Some of the products may have more than two
fiber and structural materials, is highlighted (2) classifications, corresponding to its available uses.
as being the second most prevalent
category of NTFPs in the study area, Most local vendors prefer selling pili
accounting for 2,457 (21.55%) products. products in80 bulk rather than the above-
Other categories of NTFPs are as follows: mentioned products since they are popular
10 pieces (0.09%) of Vanda sp. orchids as in the Bicol Region. According to Cuesta et

Percentage (%)
sources of essential oils; and others, 560 al. (2019), the
60 kernel from its nut serves as

(4.91%) natong products (Table 3, p. 4). the most significant part as it is

manufactured into a variety of delicacies,
Table 3. Number of products according to the including sugar-coated
40 pili, tarts, pili yema,
Proposed Classification of NTFPs. pili brittle, and many
21.55 other sweets; these
Classification of NTFPs Total number (pcs.) have e have emerged as a key source of
Sources of Fiber and Structural 2457 20
Materials
income for the locals in several Bicol
Plants Producing Medicinal and 350 provinces. The pili kernel3.07 also contains an 3.07
Cosmetic Products abundant, high-quality oil.Bicol 0
provinces0.09
0
Plants that Yield Extractive or 0 (Cuesta et al., 2019). The pili kernel also
Chemical Products
Sources of Essential Oils 10 contains an abundant, high-quality oil.
Sources of Seed Oils 350 Hence, this extracted seed oil has been

snow w

Figure 3. The category of NTFPs traded in Cagsawa Ruins Park, Municipality of Daraga.

including sugar-coated pili, pili tarts, pili

yema, pili brittle, and many other sweets; Among NTFPs as sources of fibrous
these have emerged as a key source of and structural products, abaca has been
income for the locals in several Bicol found to be prevalent in the study area.
provinces. The pili kernel also contains an Hence, specialized abaca handicrafts and
abundant, high-quality seed oil. Hence, its products are popular among others since
extracted oil has been widely utilized today abaca is abundantly growing in the Bicol
for cosmetics and medicine, including facial Region (PhilFIDA, n.d.). Ornamental
oil, facial milk serum, moisturizers, eye- orchids, such as Vanda sp., also have the
serum and other cosmetic by-products potential as sources of essential fragrance
(Ramirez, 2019). Pili nutshells have also oil. Other forest derivatives, such as natong
used as a source of structural materials. In (taro) leaves, are among the popular
fact, pili keychain is one of the best-selling products in the Bicol Region. They are
and popular products among tourists in cooked together with coconut milk and
Cagsawa Ruins Park. spices, known as Laing. In fact, an article

5
suggested that natong leaves contribute to Cuesta, M. A., Clores, M. A., & Bulao, R. J.
several health benefits, such as promoting G. (2019). Pili Nuts and Resin:
a healthy body weight, boosting heart Production, Trade and Technology in
health, and preventing disease (Marengo, Bicol, PhilippinesI. University
2020). However, no studies thus far have Research Council, Ateneo de Naga
suggested it as a source of medicine. University.

4. Conclusion Ella, A. B. (n.d.). 6 Sustainable harvesting

of non-timber forest products: the
role of gender in the Philippines.
A survey on NTFPs in Cagsawa FAO. Retrieved March 26, 2023,
Ruins Park has generated desirable data to from
assess their distribution. Proper methods of https://www.fao.org/3/ad511e/ad511
data collection have been utilized; hence, e08.htm
the students collected the primary data
through personal interviews. Proper
Eastin, I., Garcia, C. M. C., & Cortiguerra,
documentation of materials and methods
used has also been recorded. Each of the E. C. (2001). Some Considerations
chosen establishments inventories has for the More Effective Production and
been presented and characterized. Marketing of Non-timber Forest
Products in the Philippines. In
Utilization, Collection, and Trade of
Tropical Non-Wood Forest Products
The results indicate that the most in the Philippines,PD 15/96 Rev. 2
frequently occurring materials that have (M,I). FPRDI-ITTO.
been commercially used within the study
area are pili and abaca. Pili, as a source of De Jesus, G. F., & Gamis, J. G. (2021).
edible fruits and nuts, has the highest Development and Quality Evaluation
distribution of NTFPs, whereas abaca, as a of Moist Cake Utilizing Pili Pulp and
source of fiber and structural materials, Nuts (Canarium ovatum).
yields the second-highest category of International Journal of Innovative
NTFPs. In summary, these data support the
Science and Research Technology,
assumption that pili and abaca are the most
298.
prevalent NTFPs in the municipality of
Daraga, if not in the province of Albay.
Marengo, K. (2020). Taro Leaves: Nutrition,
Benefits, and Uses. Healthline.
Retrieved March, 27, 2023, from
5. References https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/t
aro-leaves
Aning, J. (2023). Bicol’s pili nuts hit EU
markets again. Inquire.net. Retrieved PCAARRD. (n.d.). Abaca:
march 27, 2023, from Industry Strategic Science and Tech
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1739224 nology Program. PCAARRD's
/bicols-pili-nuts-hit-eu-markets-again Industry Strategic Science and
Technology Plans. Retrieved March
CIFOR. (n.d.) Forests and non-timber forest
27, 2023, from
products. Retrieved March 26, 2023,
https://ispweb.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/is
from
p-commodities/abaca/
https://www.cifor.org/publications/cor
porate/factSheet/ntfp.htm
PhilFIDA. (n.d.). Philippine Abaca Helps in
Global Environment Conservation.
Department of Agriculture. Retrieved

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 March 27, 2023, from
https://philfida.da.gov.ph/index.php/a
rchived-articles/19-philippine-abaca-
helps-in-global-environment-
conservation

Ramirez, J. R. M. (2019). Going (pili) nuts

about beauty. Philstar Global.
Retrieved March 28, 2023, from
https://www.philstar.com/other-
sections/newsmakers/2019/04/30/19
13586/going-pili-nuts-about-beauty

Razal, R. A. & Palijon, A. M. (2009). Non-

Wood Forest Products of the
Philippines. UPLB College of
Forestry and Natural Resources,
College, Laguna 4031.

Taludkar, N., Choudhury, P., Barbhuiya, R.,

& Singh, B. (2021). Importance of
Non-Timber Forest Products
(NTFPs) in rural livelihood: A study in
Patharia Hills Reserve Forest,
northeast India. Science Direct. DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2020.100
042

Plate 2. Photo documentation of some of the products in Establis

6. Appendix (Photo Documentation)

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Plate 3. Photo documentation of some of the products in Establishment 2 (Lilay’s Pasalubong
atbp.).

Plate 4. Photo documentation of some of the products in Establishment 3 (AJ Souvenir Store).

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Plate 5. Photo documentation of some of the products in Establishment 4.

Plate 6. Photo documentation of some of the products in Establishment 5 (Jeicel Souvenir Shop).

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