Impact Study_ENRM 232_2014

ENRM 232: Management of Terrestrial Protected Areas
__________________________________________________________
Analyzing Socio-economic Change-
The Impact of Development on the Upland Beneficiaries of the
Angat Forest Reserve
Ruen A. Balmores
______________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL INFORMATION
Abstract
The Philippines has a population of
more than 100 million and Metro Manila
has more than 11 million. With this massive
population, supply of resources including
supply of water is a major problem
especially during dry season. The growing
demands in the supply of resources such as
clean supply of clean water and sanitary
facilities have contributed to the truncated
livelihood of the upland farmers. With this in
mind, this study was made to examine the
basic needs of the Angat River upland
farmers and how the Angat Development
Plan of the Angat River reserve has
impacted ontheir livelihood through the
years. The study focused on two
communities within the Angat River
Protected area in the province of Bulacan
which were selected at random with the help
of the staffs of the Municipality of Angat.
The method used in the study was based on
Community Field Researchsuch as
interviews, questionnaires, personal
interviews with local officials and in-site
data gathered from information available in
the national, provincial, municipal and
barangay records. Thematerial sources
were processed and analyzed using Life line
and Trend analysis.
Introduction
Today’s environmentalists consider
forests as one of the top five (5) natural
resources of our planet because there are
more to forests than an enormous collection
of trees. They support a massive range of
life forms. Apart from the trees that make
up majority of the forest, there is also the
soil that supports the trees, the body of water
that runs through them and the cool
atmosphere around them. Forests are a
natural “miracles” and a gift to the world
that are sadly taken for granted.
Forests and biodiversity are said to
be the key to all life forms. If the forest is

rich in life diversity, there will be greater
opportunity for medical discoveries, in
adaptive response to climate change and
more importantly foreconomic development.
To list the basic importance of forests, four
basic importances topped the lists: They
serve as watershed, where all water coming
from rivers, lakes and forest derives water
table is kept from drying out. They serve as
habitat and ecosystems, where millions of
animals and plants live to form part of the
food chain in the forest. They serve as key
to human existence because of climate
control and last, their atmospheres provide
us with timber and wood, clean water,
recreation and tourism income.
One example of aforest that is
perceived to be rich in biodiversity is the
Angat Forest in Angat, Bulacan. Considered
as one of the remaining well forested areas
of the country, it lies in the southern most
portion of the Sierra Madre Mountain range.
It traverses through the municipalities of
Dona Remedios Trinidad, Norzagaray and
San Jose Del Monte and stretches all the
way through the province of Quezon. The
proper management of the forest is very well
needed that is why the following steps have
been made to preserve, safeguard and
manage forests in the Philippines
particularly the Angat Forest.
1. In 1904, Pursuant to the
Philippine Commission
Act no. 648 which was
enacted in 1903, Eight (8)
national reserves were
established including the
Angat River Reserve(List
of protected areas of the
Philippines, 2014).
2. In 1927, Proclamation no.
71- Proclamation of
Angat Watershed Forest
Reserve District managed
by the National Power
Corporation(Municipality
of Dona Remedios
Trinidad, 2013)
3. In 1968, Proclamation
391- Proclamation of
Angat Watershed Forest
and Forest Range
Management Pilot
Project.
The AngatForest isan important source
of livelihood among its beneficiaries,
who, basically, is the inhabitants living
around the Angat Forest Reserve. The
resources that the beneficiaries get are
known for their socio-cultural, economic
an environmental values, which are
recognized even beyond the rural areas.
The value of the forest should become
compatible with and functional in urban
areas as well. For example, the Angat
Forest Reserve as a resource should
include its use for education and
recreation, apart from its role in
conservation and biological diversity for
fight against global warming.
This is the reason why program
developments according to the
Municipal Mayor of Angat, Leonardo
De Leon are conceived by the past
officials and continued by the present
administrationbecause development is
something that is needed by all

communities’ and the country as well to
move forward. A particular
development program being
administered by the province is the
Angat Development Program which was
established as early as 2000 to facilitate
socio economic development in the
province especially protected areas such
as the Angat Forest Reserve. This
Development Program was administered
by the present local government
administration together with the
Municipal Planning and Development
Office with technical assistance from
consultants from the Housing and Land
Regulatory Board, the Provincial
Planning and Development Office and
other government agencies. The whole
scheme of the program is aimed at
deliveringimprovements in trade and
industry, agriculture, infrastructure and
facilities, health and social services
including environmental protection,
peace and order, youth development and
honest government administration.
Some of the many development
programs and projects are:
In Agriculture:
1. Development of Strategic
Agricultural and Fisheries Zone
(SAFDZ), where barangays were
selected to have irrigation program
under the National Irrigation
Administration. The two selected
barangays were Barangay Niugan
and barangay Donacion who were
continuously receiving the services
of the irrigation system.
2. SAFDZ- Livestock and Poultry
Production, where another 2
barangays were selected to have
services of the Irrigation Project
called NIA Communal Irrigation
Project. In this project, the 2 selected
barangays will receive the services
of a communal pumping station that
will irrigate rice field that isapart
from the irrigation project. These 2
barangays alsoreceive
programsupportthat will augment
their livestock and poultry
production. The two barangays
under the SAFZ- livestock and
poultry production are Barangays
Binagbag and Marunko.
3. Certified Seed Production and
Distribution under the Plant Now
Pay Later Program, where farmers
are encouraged to invest in seed
growing business.
4. Other programs include
theestablishments of cooperatives,
providingtrainings and seminars to
farmers about vegetable production,
livestock and poultry management
and backyard and commercial
fishponds.
In Health and Education:
1. Establishments of Day Care Centers
in the entire 16 Barangays of the
Angat Municipality.
2. Additional classrooms and teachers
to provide sufficient educational
program to the constituents of Angat.
3. Establishments of lying-in clinics.

4. Providing medical assistance to the
barangays by establishing one (1)
health centers each barangays.
5. Implementing a regular health and
nutrition program to the barangays.
In Environmental Management:
1. Regular tree planting activities along
the banks of the Angat River.
2. Supervision and monitoring of
quarry activities.
3. Regular information dissemination in
the proper waste management.
Objectives of the Study
This study was designed to evaluate
the socio-economic status with regards
to the impact of the Angat Development
Program to the beneficiaries of the
Angat Forest Reserve. Socioeconomic
status is commonly conceptualized as
the social standing or class of an
individual or group. It is often measured
as a combination of education, income
and occupation. The specific objectives
of this study are:
1. To determine the impact of the
Angat Development Program on
the lives of forest dwellers or
beneficiaries within the Protected
Area.
2. To enumerate their basic needs
asdefined by the beneficiaries.
Overview
Geographic Profile
The Angat River or the Bulacan
River is located in the province of Bulacan
and passes through municipalities of Dona
Remedios, Trinidad, Norzagaray, Angat,
Bustos, San Rafael, Baliwag, Plaridel,
Pulilan, Calumpit, Paombong and Hagonoy.
(Angat River, 2014).It has a total land area
of 6,525 hectares with 2.49% of the total
262,500 hectares of land for the whole
province of Bulacan(Provincial Planning
and Development Office, 2003). It
originates from the western side of the
Sierra Madre Mountains and traverses the
mountainous terrain in a western direction to
the dam site. Three dams are located along
the river namely Angat, Ipo and Bustos
Dams. It also comprises three major
tributaries, the Talaguio, Catmon and
Matulid Rivers. The Angat watershed has a
moderate to intensive forest cover. It
receives an annual rainfall of about 4,200
millimeters resulting to a drainage area of
about 568 square kilometer.
The Angat River Basin includes a
number of upstream and downstream which
is vital to Bulacan and Metro Manila.
According to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR), the upstream falls under the
Recreation Water Class I. This means that
the upstream portion of the river is intended
for “primary contact” recreation such as
bathing, swimming and diving. The
downstream portion falls under the Fishery
Water Recreational Class II which is
intended for fish propagation and other
aquatic resources, boating and
manufacturing processes after treatment.

Moreover, the Angat River supplies the
diversion waters for Ipo and Bustos Dam
and the number one resource supply for
Bulacan’s growing industrial and resource
extraction sector such as fishing, quarrying,
mining and logging.
Demography and Socio Economic Profile
The Province of Bulacan has a total
population of 2,822,216 as of August 1,
2007. According to the 2007 Census of
Population, there is an increase of 3.27%
from year 2000 and tallied a registered
population of 2,234,088. Out of this total
population 1,738,056 (77.8%) are located in
the urban areas and only 496,032 are in the
rural areas (National Statistics Office, 2010).
The province also has 46,183
numbers of farms by land use1
with a total
area of 63,134 hectares. 45,672 hectares are
planted with temporary crops, 727 hectares
are idle2
and 11,803 hectares are planted
with permanent crops. 395 hectares are land
under permanent meadows and pasture, 137
hectares are land covered with forest growth
and 4,200 hectares are other lands3
.
With majority of the province’s land
use is dedicated to agriculture, five
agricultural crops are listed as major
contributors to the agricultural sector. The
top crops are rice which has a production of
298,376 metric ton; corn with 2,532 metric
tons; coconut with 563 metric tons and
banana with a production of 18,124 metric
1
A farm was counted once under “all classes” but
may be counted under each of the reported land
utilization.
2
Home lots are included.
3
Other lands include lands temporary tilled and lands
under temporary meadows/pastures.
tons. For the province’s livestock, the top
five are carabao with 5,590 pcs; cattle with
6,197 pcs., chicken with 5,359,891 pcs.,
duck with 324,383 pcs.and goat with 22,587
pcs.(National Statistics Office, 2010).
4
With its growing population,
Bulacan is considered as the most densely
populated province in the region with a ratio
of 850 persons per square kilometer. This is
close to 30% of the region’s population.
According to the 1997 Family Income and
Expenditure Survey (FEIS) of the National
Statistics Office, 49.6% earned an annual
income of more than 100,000 pesos or an
equivalent to 8,300 pesos per month. The
average income of a single family household
is 142,923 pesos per year or about 11,900
pesos monthly. Further, income for the 63%
of all households in the 1997 survey came
from wages and salaries earned in non-
agricultural activities; about 25% earned
their income in entrepreneurial activities,
most of which are non-agricultural in nature.
12% of this came from remittances from
relatives working overseas. Bulacan’s labor
force is 26% of the total labor force of
Central Luzon totaling to 807,000 persons.
The employment rate is high at 92%. Even
though the whole province is primarily
agricultural, only 36% is devoted to
agriculture, which is 94,000 hectares out of
262,500 hectares total land area. 7% is
devoted to fishpond and 6% is build-up
areas for industrial and service
4
FAO. (2010). Retrieved November 3, 2014, from
Food and Agriculture Organizaion of the
United nation: http://www.fao.org/3/a-
x6170e/x6170e1r.htm#TopOfPageit

establishments. The rest of the land is
basically unused or left unutilized.
METHODOLOGY
Conceptual Framework
The general objective of the study is
to determine if the Program of Angat River
Rehabilitation Program by the local
government of Bulacan has improved the
livelihood status of the upland farmers
within the Angat forest reserve. In order to
achieve the general objective, this study will
follow the conceptual framework shown in
figure 1 where the approach is Theory-
based. This means that the evaluation
design is based in which the analysis is
conducted along the length of the casual
chain from inputs to impacts. In applying
the Theory-based approach, the researcher
mapped out the channels through which the
inputs are expected to attain the intended
outcome. The standard channel of analysis
is provided and shown in figure1. Possible
indicators are also specified at various
levels.
The Theory-based approach
examines the links in the casual chain,
therefor one drawback of this approach is if
there is a weak or missing link within the
levels, and there can only be a missing link
if the project design missed some key
determinants in the next level it should have
sought to influence. (White)
Figure 1: Sample diagram of Conceptual Framework

Area of Study
Source:(Angat, Bulacan, 2014)
Figure 2: Map of Angat Municipality, AngatBulacan
The area of study is in the protected
area of the Angat Watershed Forest Reserve.
Ithas a total area of 55,709.10 and is
composed of 7 Municipalities- Montalban,
San Jose, Rizal, Norzagaray, Bulacan and
Angat, San Rafael and Nueva Ecija. Itwas
proclaimed under Presidential Proclamation
no. 71 and 391 in March 3, 1927 and April
30, 1968 respectively as a Protected Area.
Protected area "refers to identified areas of
land and water set aside by reason of their
unique physical and biological significance,
managed to enhance biological diversity and
protected against destructive human
exploitation"(Republic Act. 7586, 1992).
One of the municipalities comprising Angat
Watershed Forest Reserve is the Angat
municipality. It is our main area of focus. It
is subdivided into 16 barangays namely
Banaban, Baybay, Binagbag, Donacion,
Encanto, Laog, Marungko, Niugan, Paltoc,
YulongYantok, San Roque, Santa Cruz,
Santa Lucia, Santo Cristo, Sulucan and
Taboc(Angat, Bulacan, 2014). Angat
municipality will serve as the host sample
where the researcher will get his sample
groups of study.
With the help of the local
government of Angat under the office of
Mayor Leonardo de Leon, the researcher has
identified 2 communities of interest within
the protected area of Angat. These are
Barangay Sulucan and Barangay Niugan.
These two communities were selected
randomly, because according to the local
government officials, one falls under the
barangay that has not received Development
programs yet. The other,out of the four
barangays (Niugan, Donacion, Binagbag and
Marungko) which are eligible communities
present and that were subjected with
Development programs particularly
irrigation development program by the
National Irrigation Administration,
Barangay Niuganwas selected randomly.
This barangay will be referred to as the
“treatment group”. The untreated, which is
Barangay Sulucan(the barangay that has not
been subjected to development program
intervention), will be referred to as the
“control or comparison group”. Barangay
Sulucan will be a valid control/comparison
group because there are no systematic
difference between their characteristics and
the SITE

those of the treatment groupas shown in
Figure 3 below.The control or comparison
group in this study is needed because it will
allow us to attribute any change in the
“treatment” group to the program. Below is
a table showing characteristics of the sample
communities under study.
Sulucan Niugan
Location Angat Forest Reserve Angat Forest Reserve
Population 5,035 (as of May 2000)
Source: NSO
3,543 (as of May 2000)
Source: NSO
No. of Households 1,020 (as of May 200) 719 (as of May 2000)
Means of Livelihood Agriculture
Poultry Production
Other Entrepreneurial
establishments
Agriculture
Aquaculture
Poultry Production
Other Entrepreneurial
establishments
Total Irrigated rice field 100 228
Water supply No existing irrigation
Rain fed agricultural fields
With Irrigation canal and
water supplied by the
National Irrigation
Administration called the
NIA Communal Irrigation
Project.
No. of schools 1 Primary (Public) -
Sulucan Elementary
School
1 Primary (Public) –Don
Pablo Amisola
Health Centers
(Barangay Health Station)
1 Health center
(Sulucan BHS)
1 Health center
(Niugan BHS)
Source of clean drinking
water
-Under Sulucan
waterworks and sanitation
(95%)
-Deep well (5%)
-Angat waterworks system
(95%)
- Deep well (5%)
Figure 3: Table of Comparison between Barangay Niuugan (Treatment Group) and Barangay Sulucan (Comparison/ Control
Group)

Field Data Collection
This study will engage the
Qualitative Data collection techniques where
observations, interviews and community
focus group discussions are used to
determine how the development program
intervention influences the socio-economic
environment of the upland farmers of the
Angat Forest Reserve and understand the
interaction of the various actors involved.
Part of the requirement, a participatory
action is needed. The reason why Focus
group discussion (FGD) with local residents,
community leaders, Non-government
agencies and local government
representatives,are to be conductedto gain
further insights through in-depth exploratory
data collection and analysis from a small
sample. The FGD will be led by the research
group with representatives from local
barangays.
The key indicators provided by the
MAPP’s5
trend analysis will serve as tools
in determining the lifeline and trends of the
data collected. The key indicators used are
changes in living standards, access to
resources, expansion of knowledge and
participation on rights of power.
Questionnaire was generated using these
indicators to collect useful information from
the two sample communities.
5
(Neubert, 2010)
Model of Impact Study
Based on the conceptual framework
discussed earlier, a logical framework6
was
created as a guideline and as a project
planning tool to determine how the proposed
inputs will achieve thedesired objectives of
the study. Indicators are also defined as part
of the matrix so researcher can
measureperformances that deliver inputs,
carry out activities, produce outputs and
achieve outcomes. Below is a diagram
showing the log frame of the study.
6
(Practical tools for international development,
2014)

PROJECT
SUMMARY
INDICATORS MEANS OF
VERIFICATION
RISKS /
ASSUMPTIONS
Goal To determine if the
local government
unit and/or NGO
carried out an
effective
development
program to uplift
the lives of the
upland farmers in
Angat Forest
Reserve,
The Development
Programs of the
local government
ifsuccessful will
result to positive
outcome in years
after the program
has been conceived
and implemented.
Outcomes
-Determine the
basic needs of the
upland farmers.
-See if the programs
provided by
institutions made an
impact to the
welfare of the
upland farmers.
Key Performance Indicators:
-Changes in living standards.
-Access to resources.
-Expansion of knowledge.
-Participation on rights of power
N/A
Outputs -15 families of the
study groups
completed the
questionnaires.
-representatives of
families within the
study groups
participated in the
field discussion
groups
-15 families in each study
groups completing the
questionnaires
-number of representatives of
families within the study groups
who attended the FGD.
Survey of families
within the study
groups.
Attendance of
FGD.
Uplift the lives of
the families within
the study groups.
Activities -Distribute
questionnaires to
families under the
treatment group and
control group
-Run sessions for
field discussion
groups
Number of families in treatment
group and control group
-Questionnaires
-Field discussion
groups
Cooperation and
involvement of
families under the
study groups are
necessary.
Figure 4: Model of Impact Study used

RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
SWOT Analysis
The researcher opted to present first the
Strength, Weakness, Opportunities and
Threat (SWOT) analysis of the protected
area of study in order to understand the
current status of the PA in the landscape
ecological point of view. This analysis is
provided to summarize the current state of
the treatment group and the control or
comparison group.
SWOT ANALYSIS of THE MUNICIPALITY OF ANGAT
STRENGTHS
Water:
 The River is a favorite place for the
local residents and those from the
neighboring towns for picnic,
boating and other leisure activities.
 The vast area around the Angat
River reserve is very high source of
rocks and pebbles used for
construction and landscaping which
contributed to the residents’ source
of livelihood.
Land:
 The mountainous areas and the land
close to the river shore (some are
privately owned) are rich in mineral
deposit of Silica(Provincial
Information Technology Office,
2007).
Complexity:
 One establishment is present in
Pulilan (Pulilan Resort) which gave
opportunity for tourists to view the
river upclose. Potential of tourist
OPPORTUNITIES
Regional Relationships:
 The mountainous area of the Angat
forest reserve is rich in mineral
deposit of Silica(Provincial
Information Technology Office,
2007).
 The Angat Forest Reserve is also a
good source of rocks and pebbles
which are often used in
construction and landscaping.
This gave opportunity for the local
residents to augment their financial
capacity apart from their sources
from agriculture and aquaculture.
 The river is perceived to be good
for tourist attraction which will
generate possible income to local
residents as well.

attraction is present in the area.
Water Loop:
 The Angat Dam- supplies portable
water and energy to the whole of
Metro Manila and nearby areas.
 The Angat Hyroelectric Power
Plant- the first to integrate in its
design several functional activities
such as power generation,
irrigation, water supply and flood
control.
WEAKNESS
Operation and Maintenance:
 The National Power Corporation
(NAPOCOR) which manages the
Angat Dam has yet to receive a
copy of the contract signed by the
Korea Water Resource Corporation
(K-Water) an the Power Sector
Assets and Liabilities Management
(Psalm) for the rehabilitation
program of the Angat River.
 Bulakenos are alarmed by the
earthquake that happened in Bohol
might happen also in Luzon which
most residents fear will destroy the
dam and cause destruction.(Sun
Star, 2013)
Improper Human Settlement:
 Based on actual survey of the
researcher, there are a total of 213
informal household dwellers along
the “danger zones of the river
which are inside the protected areas
of Pulilan and 274 informal
dwellers in Plaridel.
 These informal dwellers are living
in “esteros” and along drainage
canals don’t have access to clean
sanitation which uses the canals and
rivers as their damping sites for
their solid wastes.
THREATS
Regional Connection:
 During the months of the monsoon
rains, water swamps to the
different river tributaries and to
different adjoining municipalities.
There are four rivers converging to
the main Angat river- the Sta.
Maria river of Sta. Maria and the
Bunsuran river of Pandi, the
Balagtas river of Balagtas and the
Bocaue river of Boacaue, Bulacan.
 Dr. Renato Solidum of Philvolcs
said the the Western valley fault
line cuts through the western part
of Bulacan which is where the
Angat dam is located. This is a
major concern of the residents and
the local government of Bulacan to
fast track the rehabilitation of the
dam. According to local residents,
in case of Dam break, millions of
residents will die in the first 3
hours because of water surge from
the dam (Philippine News Agency,
2014)

Site Fitness:
 The primary pollutants of the river,
as per observation of the researcher,
are the Slaughter houses in Plaridel
which are located along the
riverbank in Barangay Banga 1.
This area of the river is also an
eyesore when passing the Plaridel-
Pulilan Bridge.
 Another pollutant of the river are
those coming from domestic
household wastes such as waste
water discharge from washing
clothes, dishes, toilets and bathes.
 In Plaridel area, the collection and disposal
of human wastewater is another problem as
majority of the houses have individual
septic tanks and the outfall of wastewater is
to the Angat River.
Socio-economic Profile
This paper will present first the general
socio-economic profile of the Province of
Bulacan, zeroing in on the Municipality of
Angat, before presenting the socio-economic
profiles of the case barangays.
Municipality of Angat
In general, economic developments of
provinces and other urban areas are
indications of land resources’ allocation and
distributions. It has also been noted that the
impact of human population has an adverse
effect on economic development. It may
accelerate or decelerate the level and rate of
urbanization of a given area because the
higher the economic opportunities’ and the
perceived benefits, the greater the chance of
urbanization to increase.
Bulacan as a province with combined effort
from all its 24 Municipalities, Angat
included, is a symbol of positive economic
development. In the last five (5) years, it
has recorded the highest employment figure
in the region. In 1995, the province
employed 668,775 individuals and this
figure increased to 1,386,000 in 2002 which
accounted to 27% of the total labor force of
Central Luzon. This is the reason why the
Province of Bulacan to date has the lowest
poverty incidence in the region. 1997 data
accounted to 8.30% and in 2000, poverty
incidence is 5.40%, a decrease of 2.9%
(Provincial Planning and Development
Office, 2003). These positive economic
developments can be attributed to the
programs being implemented by the local

government unit and one of the programs
being conducted was the development of the
agricultural sector of the province. As an
example to show good economic growth,
below is a table showing the rice production
of the Municipality of Angat in a 3 year
period.
Rice Production (Crop year 2010-2014 AccomplishmentPlanted area (ha): 2,826.00 ha
Figure 5: Table showing Accomplishment of Rice Crop for Angat 2010-2013
The above table shows that 2,826.00
hectares of land in Angat are being allocated
for planting agricultural crops. In 2012, the
area increased to 3,020 hectares.
Correspondingly, the production in 2010
was 11,152.35 metric ton of crops which
increased to 4,539.75 metric tons in 2012.
However, in 2013 the trend went downhill
as the harvested area decreased to 904
hectares, so was the production which was
recorded at 4,539.75. This downhill trend
was due to the calamity that affected the
whole province which made the rice fields
flooded. Further, the yield from 2010 to
2013 shows a neutral trend in spite of the
downhill trend in the production and
harvested area. The table shows aside from
the forest that comprises majority of the land
area of the Angat forest reserve, large area is
also allocated for agricultural purposes.
Case Studies of Sample Groups
Case Study no. 1- BarangayNiugan
Barangay Niugan is a rural barangay
in the Municipality of Angat. It lies at the
outlying portion of the municipality. It has a
total population of about 3,543 residents
with 719 households (Provincial Planning
and Development Office, 2003). It is a
community we refer to as the “treatment
-
2,000.00
4,000.00
6,000.00
8,000.00
10,000.00
12,000.00
14,000.00
2010 2011 2012 2013
Year
Harvested Area (ha)
Production (mt)
Yield (mt/ ha)

group” because the barangay was subjected
to different development programs by the
local government of Bulacan. Since 2000,
Barangay Niugan was placed under the
Development of Strategic Agricultural and
Fisheries Zone (SAFDZ), under the
supervision of the National Irrigation
Administration. Barangay Niuganis one of
the two (2) barangays that was linked to an
irrigation canal that supplies water to the
agricultural land. Apart from the Irrigation
project, the local government continuously
provides services to the farmers like
distribution of organic fertilizers and
vegetable seedlings for planting during the
off season. The other one is barangay
Donacion.
During the Field Data collection, 15
randomly selected household representatives
were gathered around to form a random
sample that will discuss the everyday life of
farmers in the barangay and how the
development programs of the local
government has affected their everyday
living. Below is a graph showing the results
of the discussion.
Source: Description of Community members- Brgy. NiuganAngatBulacan
Figure 6: Lifeline Analysis of the Quality of Life of the residents in Brgy. Niugan
Legends: 5- very positive; 4- positive; 3- average; 2- negative; 1- very Negative
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Barangay Niugan, Angat Bulacan
ENRM 232- FDG
November 27, 2014
Quality of Life
Rice
Production
Program
Angat
Development
Program
Q
U
A
LI
T
Y
O
F
LI
FE

The ratings given by the community
members were based on the following
sequence of events:
2005- Rice Production program was
conceived in the early 2000
and was projected to continue
until 2005 and beyond.
2006-2008- This years has not been rated.
2009- Typhoon Ondoy devastated
the whole country, Bulacan
included where 350-500
persons where affected.
Properties like rice fields,
Agro-industrial housing and
housing units made of light
materials were destroyed.
2010-2012- These years were described
to be good in terms of quality
of life, where no major events
happened.
2013- Typhoon Maring destroyed
about 48 hectares of rice
fields and many families
were flooded. Prices of
major commodities went up.
2014- Typhoon Mario hit Luzon
area where heavy rains
prompted the management of
Bustos and Ipo Dam to
release water from the dam
which resulted to flooding.
About 20 families were
affected in Brgy. Niugan.
The discussions with the community
members focused on the questions of what
livelihood programs of the local government
were given to them and how these programs
have affected their daily life. Although
there were calamities that struck the
community within the time frame given
above, there were no significant changes in
their way of life as majority of them rated
their everyday life as average to very
positive except in the year 2013, where
majority agreed that the high prices of major
commodities during that year had affected
their daily livelihood. Nonetheless, they all
agreed that the development programs have
greatly and positively benefited majority of
the farmers in their community.
However, there are few arguments
that led the researcher to note some very
important findings during the FDG. Some
of the farmers narrated that even though
there are irrigation programs in their area,
the problem of adequate and sufficient water
availability still exist. Some farmers
commented on staggered water supply
especially during the abnormal months of
the El Nino and La Nina. Some have
observed that supply of water became
shorter during these months when all of the
farmers need water the most. Moreover, they
said that the distribution of equal water
supply among the farmers is not clear.
Some even commented that local institutions
prioritize water distribution to Metro Manila
residence than irrigation system.
The Water Code of the Philippines,
however states that during times when water
is scares like that during the El Nino and La
Nina, the first priority in water supply is
drinking water for households. This is
questioned by the farmers as they note the
use of water by Metro Manila residents like

washing the car, watering lawns, use in swimming pools.
Barangay Niugan,
AngatBulacan
Program YEARstarts
Trend
2009- 2014ENRM 232- FDG
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
2011-
2012
2012-
2013
2013-
201427-Nov-14
Improvement of Living Standards
Agricultural yields ** *** *** **7
**8
-
Family Income *** *** *** *** ** +
Health of Family Members *** *** *** *** *** +
Access to or exclusion from
resources
Access to energy (firewood, gas
etc.) *** *** *** *** *** +
Access to drinking clean drinking
water *** *** *** *** *** +
Access to market and food ** *** *** *** ** -
Access to land for livelihood ** ** *** **** **** + +
Increasing/ or Diminishing
Knowledge
School enrollments *** *** *** *** *** +
Livelihood seminars ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** + +
Knowledge about Government
Programs/ or land use systems ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
+ +
Participation on or exclusion from
rights and power
Membership to cooperatives *** *** ***** ***** ***** + +
Participation in Community Forums
led by LGU
*** *** ***** ***** ***** + +
Source: Description of Community members- Brgy. NiuganAngatBulacan
Figure 7: Trend Analysis of the Resource Indicators for the Life of the residents in Brgy. Niugan
Legends: ***** = very positive; **** = positive; *** = average; ** = negative; * = negative
7
Farmers were distributed with organic fertilizers and vegetable seedlings from June to December 2013 where 150
to 214 farmers benefited the distribution.
8
Typhoon Mario affected most of the agricultural fields with heavy floods

The table above shows that majority
of the farmers in Niugan community have
benefited from the development programs
given by the local government. Their first
two years after the program were their best
years as their agricultural yields increased
which resulted to their income increasing as
well. However, due to calamities in the year
2013 and 2014, their agricultural yields
decreased. In spite of the calamities, the
members of the community still rated their
livelihood as very positive (refer to Lifeline
Analysis).
Case Study no. 2- BarangaySulucan
Barangay Sulucan is a rural barangay
located in the outlying portion of the Angat
Municipality and inside the protected area of
the Angat Forest Reserve. It has a
population of 5,035 and a household number
of 1,020. Barangay Sulucan is referred to as
the control/ comparison group of the study.
It is so termed as such because in recent
years, the Municipality of Angat has been
subjected to numerous Development
Programs ranging from Irrigation programs,
livelihood programs etc. But these
programs, although known to the general
public of Barangay Sulucan, have not been
received to benefit the farmers of Brgy.
Sulucan in as far as the general population is
concerned. Unlike the counterpart
community, majority of the agricultural
fields in Barangay Sulucan are still rain-fed.
To augment their need for water supply to
irrigate farm lands, some farmers
constructed makeshift irrigation system to
water their land.
Like in the first case study, 15
resident household representatives were
selected randomly to participate in a field
discussion group. The FDG focused on the
everyday lives of the farmers. Example of
questions discussed were "what programs of
the local government do they know and if
there are programs given to them", or "are
these programs affected their lives to the
better". Majority of the selected individuals
agreed that life was tough for them
especially during the years when typhoon
devastated their community(2009-Typhoon
Ondoy, 2013- Typhoon Maring and 2014-
Typhoon Mario). They narrated that they
were just earning enough to feed the family
members. One farmer told the group that he
is earning a monthly income of 4,000 to
6,000 pesos and from this earning, he still
have to buy bags of fertilizer amounting to
1,600 pesos per bag. He continued that in
one square meter of land, he consumes 6
bags of fertilizers which make their life
really difficult.
Below is a graph showing the pattern of
their quality of life through the years.

Source: Description of community members- Barangay Sulucan, AngatBulacan
Figure 8: Lifeline Analysis of the Quality of life of the residents of Brgy. SulucanAngat, Bulacan
Legends: 5- very positive; 4- positive; 3-
average; 2- negative; 1- veryNegative
The ratings by the community members
were based on the following events:
2005- Angat Development program
was conceived in the early
2000 and was projected to
continue until 2005 and
beyond.
2006-2008- These years have not been
rated.
2009- Typhoon Ondoy destroyed a
lot of lives and properties,
farmers in Sulucan were
affected as well.
2010-2012- In these years, majority of the
people in Sulucan lived an
average normal life, earning
through farming and raising
live stocks such as chicken
and hogs. Majority of the
farmers are just taking
percentage earnings from
private land owners.
2013- Typhoon Maring- the
typhoon made a lot of rice
fields flooded which resulted
to people acquiring loans just
to get back on track to their
everyday living.
2014- Typhoon Mario also
devastated the Barangay
which resulted to the same as
in 2013. The rice fields
flooded.
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
2005 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014
Barangay Sulucan, Angat Bulacan
ENRM 232- FDG
November 27, 2014
Quality of Life
Angat
Development
Program

Barangay Sulucan,
AngatBulacan
YEAR Trend
2009-
2014
ENRM 232- FDG
2009-
2010
2010-
2011
2011-
2012
2012-
2013
2013-
201427-Nov-14
Improvement of Living Standards
Agricultural yields ** *** *** ** ** -
Family Income *** *** *** *** ** +
Health of Family Members *** *** *** *** *** +
Access to or exclusion from
resources
Access to energy (firewood,
gas etc.) *** *** *** ** **9
-
Access to drinking clean
drinking water ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** + +
Access to market and food ** *** *** *** **10
-
Access to land for livelihood ** ** *** **** **** + +
Increasing/ or Diminishing
Knowledge
School enrollments **** **** **** **** **** + +
Livelihood seminars ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** + +
Knowledge about Government
Programs/ or land use systems ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
+ +
Participation on or exclusion
from rights and power
Membership to cooperatives ***** *** ** * * - -
Participation in Community
Forums led by LGU
***** *** *** ** ** - -
Figure 9: Trend Analysis of the Resource Indicators for Brgy. Sulucan
9
Typhoon affected the livelihood of the residents in the community in terms of access to energy for food and light.
10
The typhoon also affected the residents’ access to market because the typhoon made access to market
impossible because of flooding.

Barangay Sulucan discussion groups
was attended by 15 resident members of the
community where majority agreed that the
best years of their life in as far as family
income and agricultural yields are concerned
are the years 2010 to 2012. Although all
access to resources have been good in terms
of clean drinking water and access to land
for livelihood, their access to energy for
cooking and light were recorded as negative
because majority are still relying ongas
lampsfor light especially during calamities,
where electrical black outs were prevalent.
One significant finding as shown in the
trend analysis is that, even though majority
of the members of the community know in
regional level there exist a development
program for the whole of Angat, they do not
participate in community forums or in
cooperatives because they thought that
attending such forums are just a waste of
time. Majority of them have negative
reactions to development programs that
according to them, in all the years they have
been caring for their small farms, no help
was given to them and if there were help
given, only a few selected members of the
community such as friends of barangay
captains were able to receive help.
According to one farmer who wanted to be
anonymous said, “I know all the trainings
and seminars given by the LGU about
fertilizers but we don’t usually participate
because it is just a waste of our time. They
provide seminars about fertilizers but they
don’t give free fertilizers, they only give to
those close to the barangay captain". Some
said they would rather plant vegetables than
attend seminars and trainings.”
The group also agreed to list five of the
things they wanted as priorities for their
everyday lives. These are the following
rank from highest priority to the lowest:
1. Electricity- majority of them still use
gas lamps and rechargeable
flashlights. Light posts don’t have
lights.
2. Waste Disposal- Majority are
complaining of roads that are not
passable because of rotting rice
plants.
3. Irrigation from the government
accessible to all.
4. Free fertilizers to all and not just to a
selected few since all of them are
farmers that need equal services.
5. More programs that all can benefit
including scholarships to dependents
of farmers whose livelihood is
destroyed by calamities such as
typhoon.
DISCUSSION OF RESULTS
The socio-economic impact
of the Angat Development Programs
results pertain to four (4) different
indicators and in this study
assumption (and limitation) is made
that the socio-economic impact is
favorable from the time the program
was conceived and is applicable for
the succeeding years. There is
variability of results between the
models. For example, although the
"income" results comparison of the
two groups are the same, the level of
quality of life between the two
groups are different. The treatment

group for example reflected a
positive income the same as the
comparison/ control group, however
looking at the quality of life between
the two, treatment group has a more
favorable quality of life as compared
to just an average quality of life in
the control/ comparison group.
During the Field Discussion
group (FDG) which was led by the
research group together with
representatives from the local
barangays, one problem that is of
major concern to both the treatment
group and the control/comparison
group is the need for sufficient and
adequate water supply. This should
be properly addressed if local
government of Angat and the region
of Bulacan as well wishes to uplift
the livelihood of the farmers in the
areas regardless if there is an existing
irrigation system or not. The
generated data from the FDG shows
that although the areas with proper
irrigation programs such as Brgy.
Niugan, has a positive quality of life,
there still an uncertainty of water
availability especially during the dry
months. One rice farmer commented
that there is a normal and abnormal
years in rice farming, where climate
affects their agricultural yield. For
example, sometime during dry
season, water is forecasted to be
delivered in a certain month but
water was still not delivered.Some
even observed the shorter supply of
water during dry months when water
is needed the most. All these have
affected their livelihood during the
years particularly their agricultural
yield.
Another concern that is
common to both is the increasing or
diminishing of knowledge. Both the
treatment and control/ comparison
group exhibited positive outcome but
then representatives of the
control/comparison group showed
negative remarks in Participation on
or exclusion from rights and power
because of the widespread
sentiments of the population with
regards to the equal distribution of
development services being
implemented by the local
government units. Majority feel that
there is unequal distribution of
services such as distribution of
fertilizers and vegetable seeds during
the off season and of course the most
important is the implementation of
water canals for irrigation purposes.
According to the local
government of Bulacan, there are
three major institutions that should
oversee the implementation of such
programs to the whole of the Angat
forest reserve and to the whole
protected area region as well. These
are the Bulacan Irrigation
Management Office (BPIMO), the
Angat-Maasim River Irrigation
system (AMRIS) including the
AMRIS Irrigator's Association, and
the local governments of Bulacan.
These three (3) are working hand in

hand inorder to facilitate immediate
implementation of irrigation projects
to the region. One important role
that these institutions play is the
monthly coordination with the
Provincial Agricultural Office (PAO)
and the Municipal Agricultural
Office (MAO) in updating and
giving guidelines to farmers
especially during times of calamities.
Based on the data collected,
although the farmers in our treatment
group may have manage to live more
comfortably and may have the ability
to adopt better than those in the
control/comparison group, the
introduction of the irrigation
program was irrelevant because the
problem of water inadequacy and
insufficiency still exist and that
natural calamities such as typhoons
and environmental abnormalities like
El Nino and La Nina play a vital role
in the improvement of the quality of
life of the farmers.
In line with the livelihood
needs of the farmers in the Angat
Forest Reserve, the following are the
top five (5) needs as defined by the
beneficiaries.
1. Access to electricity
as many of the farmers in the Angat
River Reserve still uses gas lamps
and rechargeable flashlights.
2. Proper Waste
Disposal- Many crops that has been
destroyed are piled up at roads
making major roads difficult to pass.
Many residents also put household
waste at road side posing health
problems to the community.
3. Equal access to water
supply for irrigation- local
government should implement clear
water supply programs not just to
selected barangays but to all
barangays in the protected area.
4. Equal access to
agricultural resources and
knowledge- Local government
should distribute equally agricultural
services such as distribution of
fertilizer to all farmers not just to a
few. Agricultural services should
include but not limited to free
trainings and seminars.
5. Assistance to
dependents of farmers whose land
farms are destroyed by natural
calamities.
CONCLUSION
The Development program
delivered by the local government of
Bulacan to the Angat Forest Reserve
has made a contribution to the
improvement of the livelihood
among the farmers in the protected
area of study. Participants’ response
to the conducted study was
favorable. The Irrigation program
and other agricultural program
services that has been given to the
treatment group were carefully
scrutinized which resulted to relevant
intangible results. In final analysis,

the development programs delivered
by the local government units to the
upland farmers are relevant but not
adequately delivered because of
problems like quantity of water
supply during the dry season.
Although, there are evidences that
developments such as irrigation
program and agricultural services
like seminars, trainings, fertilizer
distribution contributed to the
improvement of the livelihood of the
farmers in the sample group, major
calamities and abnormal
environmental phenomenon like El
Nino and La Nina also affected their
livelihood.
Conclusion A: Participants in
the Sample groups gave the
development program an average
mark in the improvement of their
livelihood because in a way, these
programs have made some residents',
especially those in the treatment
group life comfortable.
Conclusion B: Natural
Calamities and abnormal climatic
phenomenon such as El Nino and La
Nina were perceived to have a
significant degree of linkage to the
livelihood of the upland farmers
regardless of the development
programs being implemented by the
local government units.
Conclusion C: Indications of
this study suggest that the
development programs being
implemented in areas like the
treatment group are relevant to the
capacity of the upland farmers to live
comfortably but not adequately
delivered specially during the dry
season.
Due to the limited time available to do this
study, it is regarded that further studies
should be made in the future to counter the
missing links that this research has not
identified.
RECOMMENDATION(S):
It is within the context of this study that the
researcher recommends that Local
Government units implementing
development programs should disseminate
program information properly and
acknowledge responsibility in the equal
implementation of these programs. The
researcher also recommends that LGU’s in
cooperation with NGOs and other
stakeholders address key issues that remain
unanswered and which are critical to the
improvement of livelihood of the upland
farmers in a protected area:
 Design mechanism to provide
adequate and sufficient access to
basic needs of the upland farmers.
 Determine the feasibility,
effectiveness and efficiency of
embedding shared decision-making
into the provision of positive quality
of life amongst the upland farmers.
 Identify strategies for engaging
forest beneficiaries in shared

decision-making that may influence
their livelihood.
And because this study was made in a
limited time available, the researcher
recommends that further research and study
should be made to identify key missing links
of this research that the researcher failed to
identify and to also use other research
techniques including strategic timing of data
collection and identifying other variables
that will be significant to the study, getting a
representative sample size and incorporating
data from other sources like monitoring
data.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The work reported on this paper was made
possible through the help of the following:
1. Ms. Eva Julian de Guzman,
head of Department of Tourism
2. Ms. Anita DG Cruz, head of
the Department of Agriculture.
3. Mr. Leonardo de Leon,
Mayor of Angat,
4. Ms. Elizabeth Apresto, head
of BENRO
4. Mr. Jess Perez
5. Engr. Miguel, Head of
National Irrigation Authority
6. Mr. Virgilio Marasigan, staff
NIA
7. Mr. Ariel de Leon, Brgy.
Captain- BrgyNiuganAngat
8. Ms. Clarissa de Leon, PA of
Mayor of Angat.
9. Ms. Leah Diocton, my ever
trusted Research Assistant.
10 . and most specially to my ever
reliable father, Dr. Nestor R.
Balmores for providing some
suggestions to improve the research
paper.
Thank you for all your support.
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