Governance of Ethnobotanical Resources in Siquijor, Philippines

The study focused on mobilizing the tambalans and mangangalaps (faith healers and herbal collectors respectively) to take the lead in formulating a Community Based Ethnobotany Resources Conservation Framework Plan, hence, leading the conservation of medicinal trees and shrubs they have been utilizing. The methods included an organizational meeting, personal interviews, participatory field survey and identification,  focus group discussion (FGD), and integrated consultation workshop with the tambalans, mangangalaps and other local stakeholders . The Siquijor Herbalists Association (SHA) was organized. Most of the tambalans and mangangalaps in the two barangays thought that ethnobotany resources are important source of income. However, since there has been no conservation effort, they realized that the resources are getting scarce.
    The project initiated the creation of a Community Based Ethnobotany Resources Management Committee that formulated and developed a conservation framework plan. As an initial intervention to conserve the subject resources as embodied in the said plan, they established a Barangay Ethnobotany Resources Nursery through a collaborative effort by the local DENR, SHA, and concerned LGUs. Additionally, a database of ethnobotany resources was established comprising a total of 63 species showing photographs, local and official common name, family name, scientific name, parts utilized, intended cure, and method of preparation to serve as source of information on ethnomedical practices in the island.
    Overall, conservation framework plan formulation was a participative approach, ensuring that needs, aspirations and culture of local communities, the concern of the LGUs and national government’s policy and technical framework are duly considered.