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

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

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.

2
 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

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

4
producing medicinal and cosmetic products
(3.07%).
A variety of NTFPs, as sources of
fiber and structural materials, is highlighted
as being the second most prevalent
category of NTFPs in the study area,
accounting for 2,457 (21.55%) products.
Other categories of NTFPs are as follows:
10 pieces (0.09%) of Vanda sp. orchids as
sources of essential oils; and others, 560
(4.91%) natong products (Table 3, p. 4).
Table 3. Number of products according to the
Proposed Classification of NTFPs.
Classification of NTFPs Total number (pcs.)
Sources of Fiber and Structural 2457
Materials
Plants Producing Medicinal and 350
Cosmetic Products
Plants that Yield Extractive or 0 (Cuesta et al., 2019). The pili kernel also
Chemical Products
Sources of Essential Oils 10
Sources of Seed Oils 350
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;
these have emerged as a key source of
income for the locals in several Bicol
provinces. The pili kernel also contains an
abundant, high-quality seed oil. Hence, its
extracted oil has been widely utilized today
for cosmetics and medicine, including facial
oil, facial milk serum, moisturizers, eye-
serum and other cosmetic by-products
(Ramirez, 2019). Pili nutshells have also
used as a source of structural materials. In
fact, pili keychain is one of the best-selling
and popular products among tourists in
Cagsawa Ruins Park.
Plant Sources of Edible Fruits 8375
and Nuts
Animal-Derived Products 0
Others 560
Note: Some of the products may have more than two
(2) classifications, corresponding to its available uses.
Most local vendors prefer selling pili
products in80 bulk rather than the above-
mentioned products since they are popular
in the Bicol Region. According to Cuesta et
Percentage (%)
al. (2019), the
60 kernel from its nut serves as
the most significant part as it is
manufactured into a variety of delicacies,
including sugar-coated
40 pili, tarts, pili yema,
pili brittle, and many
21.55 other sweets; these
have e have emerged as a key source of
20
income for the locals in several Bicol
provinces. The pili kernel3.07 also contains an 3.07
abundant, high-quality oil.Bicol 0
provinces0.09
0
contains an abundant, high-quality oil.
Hence, this extracted seed oil has been
Among NTFPs as sources of fibrous
and structural products, abaca has been
found to be prevalent in the study area.
Hence, specialized abaca handicrafts and
products are popular among others since
abaca is abundantly growing in the Bicol
Region (PhilFIDA, n.d.). Ornamental
orchids, such as Vanda sp., also have the
potential as sources of essential fragrance
oil. Other forest derivatives, such as natong
(taro) leaves, are among the popular
products in the Bicol Region. They are
cooked together with coconut milk and
spices, known as Laing. In fact, an article
5
suggested that natong leaves contribute to
several health benefits, such as promoting
a healthy body weight, boosting heart
health, and preventing disease (Marengo,
2020). However, no studies thus far have
suggested it as a source of medicine.
4. Conclusion
A survey on NTFPs in Cagsawa
Ruins Park has generated desirable data to
assess their distribution. Proper methods of
data collection have been utilized; hence,
the students collected the primary data
through personal interviews. Proper
documentation of materials and methods
used has also been recorded. Each of the
chosen establishments inventories has
been presented and characterized.
The results indicate that the most
frequently occurring materials that have
been commercially used within the study
area are pili and abaca. Pili, as a source of
edible fruits and nuts, has the highest
distribution of NTFPs, whereas abaca, as a
source of fiber and structural materials,
yields the second-highest category of
NTFPs. In summary, these data support the
assumption that pili and abaca are the most
prevalent NTFPs in the municipality of
Daraga, if not in the province of Albay.
5. References
Aning, J. (2023). Bicol’s pili nuts hit EU
markets again. Inquire.net. Retrieved
march 27, 2023, from
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1739224
/bicols-pili-nuts-hit-eu-markets-again
CIFOR. (n.d.) Forests and non-timber forest
products. Retrieved March 26, 2023,
from
https://www.cifor.org/publications/cor
porate/factSheet/ntfp.htm
Cuesta, M. A., Clores, M. A., & Bulao, R. J.
G. (2019). Pili Nuts and Resin:
Production, Trade and Technology in
Bicol, PhilippinesI. University
Research Council, Ateneo de Naga
University.
Ella, A. B. (n.d.). 6 Sustainable harvesting
of non-timber forest products: the
role of gender in the Philippines.
FAO. Retrieved March 26, 2023,
from
https://www.fao.org/3/ad511e/ad511
e08.htm
Eastin, I., Garcia, C. M. C., & Cortiguerra,
E. C. (2001). Some Considerations
for the More Effective Production and
Marketing of Non-timber Forest
Products in the Philippines. In
Utilization, Collection, and Trade of
Tropical Non-Wood Forest Products
in the Philippines,PD 15/96 Rev. 2
(M,I). FPRDI-ITTO.
De Jesus, G. F., & Gamis, J. G. (2021).
Development and Quality Evaluation
of Moist Cake Utilizing Pili Pulp and
Nuts (Canarium ovatum).
International Journal of Innovative
Science and Research Technology,
298.
Marengo, K. (2020). Taro Leaves: Nutrition,
Benefits, and Uses. Healthline.
Retrieved March, 27, 2023, from
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/t
aro-leaves
PCAARRD. (n.d.). Abaca:
Industry Strategic Science and Tech
nology Program. PCAARRD's
Industry Strategic Science and
Technology Plans. Retrieved March
27, 2023, from
https://ispweb.pcaarrd.dost.gov.ph/is
p-commodities/abaca/
PhilFIDA. (n.d.). Philippine Abaca Helps in
Global Environment Conservation.
Department of Agriculture. Retrieved
6
 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)

7
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).

8
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).

9
10