The Philippine Uplands

THE PHILIPPINE UPLANDS

by Antonio C. Antonio

November 20, 2013

I used to think, like most urban dwellers, that the “poor” are the informal settlers living in shanties and city ghettos.  The “poorest” of the poor, however, can be found in the uplands.  Why?... because, unlike the urban poor, the upland poor:

1. are confined to seasonal farming and meager livelihood opportunities;
2. have no transportation infrastructure;
3. have no access to credit;
4. have no access to education;
5. have no employment opportunities; and,
6. have no security of land tenure.

 The upland and urban poor are comparable when it comes to:

1. makeshift dwelling;
2. poor health and sanitary conditions;
3. low income level; and,
4. high population growth.

What are considered uplands are areas with slopes greater than 18% and with elevation greater than 60 meters.  The upland soil is low in fertility and a significant part is acidic.  Not like the lowland where irrigation systems can be constructed, the uplands are rain fed which makes farming very seasonal.  Other agricultural and livelihood activities are also marginal because of the upland’s topography and access to markets.

The most disturbing characteristic of the upland is the high population growth rate.  Given the less than ideal conditions already mentioned, the plight of upland dwellers could only worsen as their population grows bigger.  Resources are finite and food security is becoming a big concern… the more mouths to feed, the more stress we put on these resources.  The upland has numerous resources that should be sufficient to allow its dwellers with better and acceptable living conditions and standards.  These resources, however, will have to be managed properly to be sustainable.

Just my little thoughts…