Traditional Knowledge System on Flora and Fauna on Mangrove Areas in Buenavista an San Lorenzo, Guimaras

Abstract

The study aimed to document the traditional knowledge on mangrove areas of Buenavista and San Lorenzo, Province of Guimaras. Specifically, to determine and document flora and fauna of mangrove areas of the two municipalities (Buenavista and San Lorenzo) in the Province of Guimaras. Based on the result and findings of the study conducted, there were six (6) common mangrove or “bakhaw” species found in mangrove areas of the municipalities of Buenavista and San Lorenzo, namely: bongalon, pagatpat, bakhaw-babae, bakhaw-lalaki, bakhaw-bato, and apiapi. Community people living near the mangrove areas are conducting activities such as panghulip (replanting), panghampil (establishing rock barriers), and dapug (allowing the propagules to be rooted first, before planting). The “Bakhawan” or mangrove areas of Buenavista and San Lorenzo provided a natural environment of the following: bangi-bangi, dawat, halo-halo, suso, sihi, laway-laway, and sisi. However, the decrease in the number of trees affects their population. It provided the fisherfolks and other people in the community an extra income because people are doing “panginhas” (catching fishes and crustaceans) during low tide. The researcher recommended that the maintenance and preservation of flora and fauna of the mangrove area should be a collaborative effort of the barangay officials, people’s organizations and government agencies.