The Problems of Upland Communities

THE PROBLEMS OF UPLAND COMMUNITIES

by Antonio C. Antonio

January 7, 2015

Upland dwellers are the most problematic communities in the Philippines.  They have too many plus one more problem than the other segments of society.  These are:

POVERTY – Upland communities are considered to be among the poorest of the poor in the Philippines.  Most upland dwellers live below the poverty line.

UPLAND POPULATION INCREASE – The increase in upland population is caused by the natural increase in upland dweller population plus upland migration.  These causes exert tremendous pressure on land availability and upland resources.  (For more information, you may want to click on this link: http://antonantonio.blogspot.com/2015/01/causes-and-patterns-of-upland-migration.html)

ECONOMIC CONDITION – The main economic activity in the uplands is upland farming.  The most common crops are rice, corn and root crops.  As upland dwellers are kitchen-oriented, most of their farming produce is used for home consumption.  Surplus is often used for barter or cash sale, especially during the off-season (Sevilla, 1994).  Secondary crops include fruits such as bananas, mangoes, coffee, coconut, citrus, etc. and vegetables.  Some upland dwellers engage in other income-generating activities like forest products gathering, working as hired labourers, backyard livestock and poultry raising.  Home-based cottage industry activities such as basket, broom and mat making, pottery, beadwork and wood carving are also common.  These economic and/or livelihood activities are however insufficient to meet daily expenditure needs.

HEALTH – Many upland dwellers suffer from malnutrition.  Upland diets, heavy on carbohydrate (from the rice, corn and root crops), are very low on protein and other nutrients.  Goiter is the most common disease because of iodine deficiency in their normal diet.  Headaches, fever, colds, malaria, tuberculosis, gastro-intestinal disorders, respiratory and skin diseases, diarrhea and water-borne parasite are the other common health issues and concerns.  Lack of personal hygiene, human waste disposal systems, unsanitary practices and safe water sources account for the high incidence of diseases in the upland.

EDUCATION – Poor roads conditions or the non-existence of roads makes it hard for teachers to conduct regular classes.  More often, education is sacrifices whenever there is conflict between farm work and going to school.  Upland parents could not also afford to send their children to school.

DWELLINGS AND FACILITIES – Common upland dwellings are single-room houses made of light materials --- nipa, bamboo, cogon, thatch, sawali or wood.  Upland dwellers usually use rivers, creeks or springs as water sources.  Most upland communities use kerosene for lighting and fuelwood for cooking.

TRANSPORTATION – The usual complaint of lowlanders in missions to assist the upland communities are: (1) The poor road conditions or the absence of roads and bridges; (2) The lack or absence of available public transportation.  Motorcycles, with very limited carrying capacity, are the transport norm; (3) The rainy season which isolates the upland communities from the rest of the world.

LAND TENURE – Upland areas are largely considered as inalienable public domain which means most upland communities have no ownership rights over the land they till and live in.  The fact that upland dwellers do not own land plus the nomadic lifestyle and slash and burn agriculture of some indigenous peoples in the upland has resulted to soil degradation.

ACCESS TO CREDIT – Upland dwellers do not have access credit institutions.  Their land tenure situation makes it impossible for them to avail of loans since they cannot meet the collateral requirement.  Their lack of education, illiteracy and ignorance makes it hard for upland dwellers to enter into loan and credit agreements; and the strict conditions attached to such agreements.

FARMING AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS – Upland farmers more often limit themselves to the production of staple crops such as upland rice, corn, root crops, fruits and vegetables.  Backyard livestock raising (goats, cattle, chicken, etc.) is also common.  These farming and agricultural systems, however, could be considered marginal because of the absence of modern agricultural technology but traditional indigenous farming knowledge.

Reading these nutshell descriptions of the problems of upland communities will certainly give us a feeling of concern.  Doing a little bit more research, reading understanding on the life and living conditions of the upland dwellers will probably reveal more than the above-discussed problems.  What other dire additions should be added to the problems of upland communities?

Just my little thoughts…

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