The Philippine Uplands

Question 1

Features of the Philippine uplands

Answer 1

• Areas with slope > 18%
• Constitute about 17.6 M has. (59% of total Philippine land area)
• 11-12M has. of forest lands
• 24M people in the uplands

Question 2

Importance of the uplands

Answer 2

• Life support system of dowstream ecosystems (lowlands and marine areas)
• Contains the tropical forest ecosystem in the country – oldest,
  productive and protective ecosystem on earth
• “Poorest of the poor” = Subsistence Farming System
• Repository of diverse human culture
• Contains vast untapped mineral resources

Question 3

PUSH FACTORS:

Why people migrate to the uplands?

Answer 3

• Lack of livelihood opportunities
• Inability to own land

Question 4

PULL FACTORS:

Why people migrate to the uplands?

Answer 4

• Land availability
  
  • land as an “open access resources”
• Possibility to own land
• Livelihood opportunities
  
  • shifting cultivation

Question 5

Upland Development Goals:

Answer 5

• Increased productivity
• Enhanced sustainablility through soil-
  water conservation
• Community participation
• Increased social equitability

Question 6

Upland Development Strategies

Answer 6

Diversification
* Strategies supporting sustainability/acceptability
- IKS
- Participatory planning/management
- Enhancement of ecological functions

• Sectoral and spatially integrated plans and programs
• Policy support (i.e. Land tenure, marketing, accessibility of services)
• Workable upland technologies
• Agroforestry