Philippine Journal of Science
142:(3) 169-181, Special Issue
ISSN 0031 - 7683
Useful Plants of Selected Ayta Communities from Porac, Pampanga, Twenty Years after the Eruption of Mt. Pinatubo
Elena M. Ragragio*, Cynthia Neri Zayas** and Jasper John A. Obico*
* Dept. of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, UP-Manila
** Center for International Studies, UP-Diliman
ABSTRACT
A survey of useful food and medicinal plants was conducted among the Ayta from three barangays of Porac, Pampanga. Twenty years after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo, the Ayta communities of Porac have experienced extensive changes in their life, culture and society. In the survey, 83 plants were used as food and 167 plants used as medicine. The most number of species are classified under the Fabaceae family. The food and medicinal plants used by the Ayta communities declined in number as compared to the study of Fox in 1952. A contributing factor to the decline may have been the dislocation of the communities and the loss of the forest after the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Likewise, the acculturation and integration into prevailing society has affected the lives of the Ayta, but their botanical knowledge remains an important part of their culture.
INTRODUCTION
The Pinatubo Ayta have been dependent on the forests for generations. The forests have served as their market, pharmacy, hardware store and ritual areas. When the Pinatubo mountain erupted in 1991, the Ayta communities have been displaced and relocated to the lowlands or other provinces in Central Luzon. Some Ayta communities have returned as soon as the threat of eruption was over. On the average, the Ayta have returned after about two years or in 1993-94. Now, 21 years after the eruption, the original forest and vegetation of Mt. Pinatubo has changed. For instance, in the town of Porac, Pampanga, in Barangay Inararo, the community has resettled in an area a couple of hours hike from their original settlement. For barangays Villa Maria and Camias, they have returned to their original areas. Upon their return, many governmental and non-governmental organizations have assisted the Ayta in . . . . . . . . . read more
