Leyte Province Research Articles

Forest carbon stock and livelihood opportunities under the CBFM Project in Midwestern Leyte Province, Philippines

The study assessed the carbon stocks or storage within the Community-Based Forest Management (CBFM) Project in Midwestern Leyte Province. The CBFM project area stored an average carbon density of 333 Mg/ha from aboveground biomass down to the soil complex (0-1m depth). The upperstorey biomass had an average carbon density of 166 Mg/ha while 1.94 Mg/ha for the understorey biomass. In addition, floor litter carbon density ranged from 1.38 Mg/ha to 2.75 Mg/ha, root carbon density from 11.0 to 17.4, and soil carbon density from 111 to 221 Mg/ha. The huge amount of carbon stored under the CBFM project is a potential livelihood opportunity for the local people. Several organizations are interested in carbon offset projects where huge amount of fund is involved — a situation where both farmers and the environment would be benefited.

A lesson from cyclone Larry: An untold story of the success of good coastal planning

When tropical cyclone Larry crossed the Queensland coast on 20 March 2006, commercial, recreational and naval vessels in the port of Cairns, 60 km north of the eye of the cyclone and others closer to the eye, were protected from the destructive winds by sheltering in deep mangrove creeks in Trinity Inlet and off other coastal rivers. The Trinity Inlet mangroves are protected under the comprehensive multi-use Trinity Inlet Management Plan, agreed by the local and state government agencies (Cairns City Council, the Cairns Port Authority and the Queensland Government). Using this Australian example and one from the town of Palompon in Leyte province, central Philippines, we show how long-term mangrove habitat protection resulting from well-conceived coastal planning can deliver important economic and infrastructure benefits.

Preliminary Report on the 17 February 2006 Leyte, Philippines Landslide

ABSTRACT Following days of heavy rainfall, a large-scale landslide occurred in Southern Leyte Province, Philippines, burying almost the entire village of Guinsaugon and causing the death of more than 1000 people. The landslide, which occurred along the steep slope of Mt. Can-abag in the middle of the province, mobilized large amount of rocks and debris with estimated volume of about 10-15 million m3. This paper discusses the results of the damage investigation conducted in the area after the disaster, with emphasis on the general features of the landslide and on the hydro-geological aspects of the disaster. Based on the observations made from the field investigation as well as additional information obtained from various sources, the main causes of the landslide are identified, and several sources of potential hazards are pointed out.

Scientists investigate recent Philippine landslide

A massive landslide devastated the community of Barangay Guinsaugon, Municipality of St. Bernard, Southern Leyte Province, Philippines, at about 10:30 local time on 17 February The landslide occurred along the steep fault scarp of the Philippine Fault Zone (PFZ) (Figure 1a), a large and active tectonic structure that traverses the entire length of the Philippines [Allen, 1962]. Barangay Guinsaugon is located at the foot of the scarp, directly in the path of the downward moving mass of earth. As of 24 February the landslide caused 122 confirmed deaths; 1,328 people still are missing.

Schistosomiasis japonica, anemia, and iron status in children, adolescents, and young adults in Leyte, Philippines

Observational and interventional evidence supports a relation between human schistosomiasis and anemia; however, the exact causal mechanisms remain unclear. Eggs translocating across the intestinal or bladder wall may result in extracorporeal blood loss with subsequent iron deficiency. Alternatively, anemia may result from cytokine-mediated dyserythropoiesis, as seen in anemia of inflammation. By evaluating the cross-sectional relation between the intensity of Schistosoma japonicum infection, hemoglobin concentration, and iron status in 7-30-y-old persons from S. japonicum-endemic rice-farming villages in the province of Leyte, Philippines, we assessed the relative contribution of iron deficiency and anemia of inflammation to schistosomiasis-associated anemia. We enrolled 627 S. japonicum-infected and 111 S. japonicum-uninfected persons. We obtained stool samples to quantify S. japonicum infection and venous blood samples for hemograms and measures of iron status and inflammation. Intensity of S. japonicum infection was independently associated with hemoglobin (beta = -0.24; 95% CI: -0.31, -0.17). Persons with high-intensity infection had a greater risk of iron deficiency anemia (adjusted prevalence odds ratio: 6.6; 95% CI: 2.9, 14.7), but there was no evidence of this relation in low-intensity infections. In contrast, anemia without iron deficiency was prevalent across all intensities (adjusted prevalence odds ratio: 3.8; 95% CI: 1.5, 9.5). Storage iron deficiency is a major contributor to anemia in high-intensity S. japonicum infection. A high prevalence of anemia without iron deficiency, exclusion of other mechanisms of anemia, and the evidence of low bioavailable iron suggest that anemia of inflammation contributes to S. japonicum-associated anemia at all infection intensities.

Building-up partnerships for community forestry: The ACIAR Smallholder Forestry Project experience

This paper reports experiences of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Smallholder Forestry Project in the establishment of working relationships with a people’s organisation in Leyte Province, Philippines. Strategies adopted in building a partnership with the organisation through the establishment of a community nursery, conduct of field trial research and the emerging practical impacts on smallholders are specifically discussed. Information presented in this paper is the outcome of documented field experiences during the research as well as informal discussions with members of the people’s organisation. This project illustrates that within-community research can be an effective extension tool if local people are given the chance to participate in all stages of planning and implementation. Mere participation in research activities, however, is not enough. Continuing interaction between the researchers and the local people is crucial in paving the way to partnership building. The developmental partnership that was established has created practical impacts which may lead to more widespread adoption and promotion of farm and community forestry in Leyte Province.

The performance of community organisers in promotion of community forestry in Leyte Province, Philippines

A study was conducted to assess the role and effectiveness of community organisers in supporting the development of people’s organisations in achieving community-based forest management objectives in Leyte Province Philippines. Community organisers were found to be effective in forming people’s organisations (POs), motivating people to participate in voluntary activities organised by POs and encouraging cohesiveness among PO members. Community organisers manage to raise the level of environmental awareness and knowledge of members of people’s organisations, develop leadership interest and skills, create various livelihood opportunities and provide direction and facilitate the establishment of large tree plantations. However, the short duration of community organisers’ contracts (typically two years) is insufficient to establish mature and cohesive POs prepared to assume management on their own, including the management of tree plantations. Further, lack of training and funding support, low wages, delayed payment of salaries and limited time to work with people’s organisations, as well as the pressure to produce tangible outputs such the establishment of large tree plantations, prevents them from placing greater emphasis on the development and empowerment of the people.

Socio-economic factors affecting smallholder tree planting and management intentions in Leyte Province, Philippines

Survey data have been collected from four rural communities in Leyte Province, the Philippines, on household tree planting and management intentions, as well as the socio-economic characteristics, attitudes to tree planting and management, farming practices and the number of trees planted. In relation to intended tree planting and management activities, respondents were asked a series of structured questions as to what tree species they intend to plant, how many individual trees of each of those species they plan to plant, and for what purpose they propose to plant each of the tree species. This paper reports the results of analyses of the stated tree management intentions of households in the four communities and identifies the socioeconomic factors that influence householders’ tree management intentions. Respondents were generally enthusiastic about the possibility for further tree planting on their land, 75% indicating they would undertake planting. About 60% indicated an interest in commercial tree farming, with no significant differences in this level of interest between communities. It was found that a number of socio-economic variables indicating higher levels of land ownership and previous experience in the forestry industry are related to the intention to plant trees to produce timber for sale. These include the use of materials from public lands, participation in community organisations and community forestry programs, and the present management of trees to produce timber for sale.

Two new species of chiggers (Acari: Trombiculidae) from the Philippine Islands

Gahrliepia (Ripiaspichia) biliranensis n. sp. and G. (R.) parmulaseta n. sp. are described from specimens collected off rodents in Leyte Province, Philippine Islands. Comments on the genus are provided and the genus Gahrliepia and subgenus Ripiaspichia are rediagnosed.

Exploring Housing Quality Measures in a Rural area of the Philippines

Housing quality in a rural region of Leyte Province, the Philippines, was examined to develop a model to identify predictors of housing quality, one of the six housing norms within the theory of housing adjustment. Data were drawn from interviews with 150 female heads of households from ten rural villages in the upland and lowland areas near the town of Baybay, the Philippines. Logistic regression was used in the analysis. As expected, socio-economic status was significantly related to housing quality, as were the village’s location, the age of the male-head of the household, and tenure. The number of stories of the house and the crowding measure were not significantly related to housing quality. This research provides documentation for evaluating both equitable distribution of housing and economic development programs and policies in developing areas.

Petrology and geochemistry of alto peak, a vapor-cored hydrothermal system, Leyte province, Philippines

Based on detailed petrological information on secondary mineral assemblages and the composition of fluids trapped in inclusions and discharged from five wells, the Alto Peak geothermal field was found to represent a combined vapor and liquid-dominated system. A central core or chimney, with a diameter of about 1 km, a height of some 3 km and occupied by a high gas vapor (1.1 to 5.6 molal CO 2), is surrounded by an envelope of intermediate salinity water (7000 mg/kg Cl) with temperatures between 250 and 350°C. The transition from purely vapor-dominated to liquid-dominated zones takes place via two-phase zones occupied by fluid mixtures of highly variable compositions. Much of the lower temperature, mature neutral pH Cl water is likely to have formed during an earlier stage in the evolution of the system. High temperatures of 300°C, and associated alteration, are limited to wells AP-1D and the lower parts of AP-2D and are ascribed to re-heating by recent magmatic intrusions. The isotopic composition of the well discharges suggests that they contain some 40 to 50% of magmatic water. Alto Peak is considered a typical example of hydrothermal systems associated with many dormant volcanoes.

Predictors of Energy Use by Households in a Rural Area of the Philippines

Fuel use by households in a rural region of Leyte Province, the Philippines, was examined to determine types used and factors related to type and total quantity. A model was developed to identify predictors of household fuel use. Data were drawn from interviews with 150 female heads of households from 10 rural villages. Multiple regression was used in the analysis. The total quantity of energy used per week was negatively related to the number of cookstoves and nonelectric items of equipment owned and positively related to the distance traveled each week to obtain fuels.