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Press Release

                                                                      Alex Marcaida                                                                PCSD,Media Bureau Chief
                                  
PRESS RELEASE October 30, 2009

PCSDS Happy with its Worms!

      OIC-Exec. Dir. Romeo B. Dorado express gladness with the first harvest of the vermicast from the PCSDS vermiculturing project. Last week, 3 kilos of vermincast was harvested and now being used as fertilizer to its flowering garden at the PCSDS office, after about a month of seeding about 2 kilos of worms at its vermin-compost plots. From hereon the staff will harvest weekly which will be distributed to staff for use in their house gardens. Vermicast are worms’ manure which is a fine fertilizer to agriculture.

Vermicast are worms manure. It is produced by the feeding action of earthworms. Earthworms ingest organic matter, fragmenting and grinding it into a finely divided peat like material with high porosity, aeration, drainage and water holding capacity. This process enhances microbial activity and accelerates the rate of decomposition. This leads to a humification effect where unstable organic matter or decomposing plant and animal matter is oxidized and stabilized . Humus forms the dark brown or black mass of the upper soil and is important for storing and releasing plant nutrients. The process is similar to composting except it is non thermophilic or a cold process utilising naturally occurring soil dwelling microorganisms. Vermicast has a large surface area and a high cation exchange capacity providing strong absorbability and retention of nutrients.

     It must be recalled that the PCSDS Vermiculture Project was launched last June 19, 2009 as one of the features in celebrating the 17th year SEP Law Anniversary. No less than the Palawan’s multi-awarded businessman Bobby Castro who introduced and provided worms to the staff to start off with the project. PCSDS subsequently organized the Vermiculture team from its admin staff who subsequently attended training given by CMO-PPC Beekeeping Program and finally the collection and preparation of plots for the decomposition processes started.

     With this success, Dir. Dorado directed the Team to plan out for the next steps which will cover expansion of the activity to every homes of the PCSDStaff.

     With the continuing weekly harvest, the Team introduced the concept of “Palit-Abono sa Basura or PAB” mechanism, where the staff can get for free- a kilo of ready to use vermicast in exchange of 3 kilos of solid wastes. Hopefully by December during the conduct its Kumustahan activity at PSDTI the staff, altogether, will do “gardening picnic”.to plant vegetables in 5 plots of vegetable garden. Likewise in early January next year, the exchange program will expand to PABU “Palit Abono basura at Uod” so that evenrtually all staff will practice vermiculture in their own houses.

     Vermiculturing is…The PCSDS believes that model projects such as this will educate communities to get back to how nature works, as nature knows best in maintaining ecological balance. Simple waste management as this will help in mitigating climate change.

ECAN Planning Manual, Ready for free distribution!

Due to insistent client demand, the PCSDS is now multiplying e-copies of the Community-based ECAN Zones Management Planning Manual (CBEZMPM) for free-distribution. Soon it will be available by-request basis.

Since 2006, this Manual has been guide to training facilitators and workshop organizers in formulating ECAN Zoning plans. It was also used in developing the management plans of about 35 barangays surrounding Mt. Mantalingahan which when integrated became the Mt. Mantalingahan Management Plan. Recently, by virtue of NIPAS Law, it was recognized as a Protected Area.

Same manual was used in coming-up with the management plans for the six Community Based Coastal Resource Management learning sites of PCSDS which are now in different stages of implementation.

Soon, the Dumaran and Araceli ECAN Boards will employ the same Manual in formulating their ECAN Zoning Plans just in time for their integrating ECAN in their CLUPs.

The Manual, produced in 2006, is a product of a hands – on experience of the authors in designing and facilitating an ECAN zones management planning workshop, produced and written by PCSDS namely: Teodoro M. Baltazar, Jr., Teresita A. Batul, Madrono P. Cabrestante, Jr., Alejandro S. Marcaida, Raul B. Maximo, John Francisco A. Pontillas, Apollo V. Regalo, Rhoda B. Roque and Mariluz P. Tejares. This was designed by PCSDS thru the Sustainable Environment Management Project funded by JBIC purposely to standardize and popularize the processes and context of formulating ECAN Zone management plans. Copy rights for its production is protected under Philippine Laws.

Spreading wings, Expanding the Reach! (PCSD, enhancing capabilities of the PCSDS staff!)

Recently, about six (6) PCSDSD staff flew abroad to study and attend training courses meant to upgrade their knowledge and skills on various themes: protection of pangolins, wetlands management, Coastal Resource management, etc…

The first stop is Netherlands:

Teresita A. Batul, District Manager North district
PDO V, PCSDS

Ms. Batul was a recipient of the Netherlands Fellowship grant to the International Training of Trainers on wetland management 2009 (6th edition). She passed all the embassy and course requirements and was chosen to be part of the final 39 trainees from among 150 contenders vying for a slot all over the globe. It was held at the Wageningen International, the Netherlands on June 8-26, 2009.

The course focused on facilitation of multi-stakeholder processes that play an important role in wetland management planning, curriculum development and the need for transboundary and cross-sectoral cooperation to manage the natural resources of a river basin. The course is relevant to all climatic zones. Specifically, it aimed to provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary for:

o Training in the field of wetland management;
o Facilitation of wetland management planning processes;
o Curriculum development in the field of wetland management in their own region.

Ms. Batul now integrates all these learnings to her area of assignment. Of late, she facilitated the discussions on resolving issues regarding establishments of Tribal Ancestral Zones in Palawan and in strengthening community participation in the sustainable development processes through strengthening of ECAN Boards. Next feature: Madrono Cabrestante in Thailand, Dir. Josephine S. Matulac , Levita Lagrada in Indonesia and Glenda Cadigal in United Kingdom.

SPECIAL REPORT: Collection of Stag Beetles in Palawan, Legal?

The Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD) resolved to allow the collection and trading of selected stag beetles in Palawan, but with preferential option for organized indigenous peoples (IP’s). And a special permitting system afforded to technically and financially-able individuals for beetle farming and ranching. This is to deter indiscriminate collection from the wilds, while enjoying the economic value of the tradable species and to usher livelihood opportunities amongst indigenous peoples.

Scouring the fields to find “uwang” for money!

Tinkering and cautiously stirring his wooden rod through a rotten log “Inagdong”, Tilaw’ beams over a number of crawling stag beetles appearing one by one out of the pile. His tired eyes suddenly sparkled. It was a jackpot scour. Tilaw’ carefully picks them one by one and stocked them unto a basket tucked around his waist. I was amazed, wondering how experienced this young yet wrinkled fellow as his tottered fingers trembling but still skillful and agile. His’ is a picture of an aged-explorer scavenging for this unlovely and wriggly yet precious catch called “uwang”. He had been watching over this inagdong log for sometime, and he was quite sure the beetle had developed more than the pupa stage, ready for harvest. He was right – it was indeed a big catch.

Tilaw’ went back home early as the basket is full. This is not unusual, but this one is really overwhelming. Tilaw’ teased me his lucky charm, a way to ease me from getting busy whapping the mosquitoes out with sweat flowing all over my face. I smiled to complement.

The long walk back home is light notwithstanding the striking sun. The ankle-wrecking descent down the steep mountain of Bgy. Bono-bono in Bataraza, is rewarding as Tilaw’ is unstoppable in mouthing the experience of his “uwang quest”. Some details I could not even remember, but it kept me going. He is happy with this harvest. Not a view of fear on his face even if what he does is a criminal offense. “The buyer”, Tilaw’ relates, “will pick-up the “uwang” late this afternoon, he buys at P25 apiece, I think this catch is worth a month-long budget for my family”.

His two shirtless boys rushed to the approaching proud father poising “ama…ama!” while helping Tilaw’ untucking the filled basket.

About 65 individuals of stag beetles, of varying sizes, were sorted. Separating the males from the females, each wrapped using old newspaper and piled in a cartoon box.

While waiting for the buyer, Tilaw’ contentedly sat on a wooden bench under a guava tree, puffing his tobacco where fumes forming round & round chased by his slipperless youngest. “This is life in the mountains” he quipped. “I was told that collecting beetles is prohibited, but we can do no less, it guarantees our food, it sustains my family”. We have a piece of “kaingin” area just up there” Tilaw’ pointing his index finger towards an open part of the mountain, “but we just had sown the palay, as the rain just poured last week, but the long wait for the palay harvest is a killing anxiety, that is why I am forced to indulge into beetle gathering”. “As a Pala’wan, we were taught by panglima’s (tribal leaders) to respect nature, thus we make sure that our kaingin practice is not as damaging. These beetles are added gift of our gods, so we accept it with care”. “I wish the government be more friendly to us, I wish they will allow us to collect beetles and let “katutubo” like me, partake this blessing, times had taught us of the consequences from abusing nature and we are aware of that”

. As a government employee myself, active at enforcement activities, the best that I can do is nod over Tilaw’s tale of how they co-exist with nature - their source of life. I enjoyed his spontaneity, as he again rolled sliced dried tobacco leaf unto a piece of old paper, scratch the Rizal-brand-match with phosphorus lighting his second roll and started puffing again with hopeful eyes gazing afar.

A lucrative industry

Tilaw is not alone in this open sea of survival. Almost all members of the tribe in that area is aboard the same boat, caught between tides of law and basic needs. But they keep rowing, as they are hopeful the turbulent waters will come to rest. But for now, the price of uwang is tempting, safe reason, they thought, to keep the fear of being caught aside. A local buyer, who is a pastor, is always ready to buy their catch. The more the tribe collects, the more they earn. It has become a lucrative business among the tribes.

Pastor Amy Potestad, had been buying beetles from the IPs in Bono-bono Bataraza for sometime. He sells them to Manila buyers at P45.00 apiece. These stag beetles are shipped to Malaysia, Indonesia, Hongkong, Korea, Singapore and other countries. The price is tenfold when it gets to foreign lands. Unfortunately, in one of his deliveries, the port authorities accosted him and confiscated the cargoes. But Potestad reasoned that he is not aware of the Law. He just helped the IPs’ earn and live.

Beetle trafficking had been pronounced since few years back. Reportedly, a pair of good-size beetles is sold at $30 to 40 at international market. It was at the height of beetle collection when PCSD took over the implementation of Wildlife Act in Palawan, and it prompted the vigilance. Of late, some operators believed that the trade declined, due to mushrooming of beetle farming, culturing and ranching in other foreign sources. But the demand from the locals, like the group of Tilaw is still up. Given this income benefits, especially among the tribe, PCSD had been bombarded with requests to legalize the trade while still at the peak of marketability.

Sustaining stag beetles management in Palawan

Science considers stag beetles as scavengers, belonging to the family of insects. They speed-up the process of decomposition thus it accelerates the manner of transforming materials to soil nutrients. In effect they nurture the earth. Being scavengers that feed on rotten logs of trees, especially soft wood like the inagdong tree, they pose no serious threat to the environment. In fact, it is their aesthetic value that attracted many enthusiasts catapulting to the brisk trade. Beetles are used as pets for beetle wrestling, souvenir items, commercial products like gels and food as it is edible. Locals believed that it is aphrodisiac as its juicy-sizzling taste heightens libido and ignites blood circulation – this however is yet to be scientifically confirmed.

A known entomologist Dr. Victor P. Gapud of UP disclosed that utilization of beetles has both positive and negative implications which necessitates effective control. If selected trading be allowed, there is a need for monitoring to enhance positive values and reduce likely harm to species and habitats. Not controlling it may result to over-collection which will subsequently result to exponential damage not only to the environment but humans as well. It may also cause the loss of regional and other genetic characteristics by hybridization as a result of the release of captive-bred individuals. There is also a probability of invasion and spread of parasites introduced by exotic beetles, and introduction of additional pest species coupled with the possible competition for territories between native and exotic species. Here lies the promotion of “ranching and farming”. This way over-collection is abated, Gapud stressed.

Sometime ago, Dr. Gapud was engaged by Conservation International and PCSDS to spearhead the study on Beetles. The study reveals that there are a number of host trees in southern Palawan where beetles are abundant like “Dorcus titanus palawanicus” which is endemic to Palawan. Results of this study formed part of the basis of PCSD in passing PCSD Resolution approving the sustainable management and allowing regulated collection.

The next steps!


The PCSDS recently completed the necessary instruments related to the beetle collection and trade permitting system. Two permits can be applied from PCSD: Wildlife Special Use Permit (WSUP) intended for direct yet regulated collection of stag beetles from the wild. Only organized IP’s are allowed to apply for Beetles WSUP. The Wildlife Collectors’ Permit (WCP) for both Ranching and Farming.

For Tilaw’ and his colleagues, their long wait is over. They just have to organize themselves to easily apply for a Wildlife Special Use Permit. The user’s fee is low and affordable.

At this point where opportunities for better living are at hand, the best that Palawan can yearn for is the sustainable management of the beetles. “Uwang” can only offer what’s enough but not too much. Hopeful permittees should see the value of taking enough, to sustain both human lives and biodiversity.