The Extent of Participation of Indigenous People (IP) to the Rainforestation Program: The Case of Mt. Malindang

Abstract

People are the number one destroyers of the environment through earning a living. The government formulates different programs to protect the environment at the same time providing livelihood to the people. This study was conducted to look into the extent of participation of Mt. Malindang residents to the Rainforestation Program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. . The descriptive method of research was employed in the study.  The data were gathered through an interview to the 92 respondents in 5 barangays under the Mount Malindang. The results revealed that majority of the direct beneficiaries of the program are the heads of the families who are less educated with an average income of not more than P3,000 a month. Nursery and tree growing activities were the major economic activities in the area which are mostly participated by men.  Number of dependents, attendance in trainings and seminars, and membership in the organization were found to be correlated with the participation of the members to the rainforestation program.   The respondents’ years occupancy, age, gender and income were found to have no correlation with their participation in the  rainforestation program.