Authors :
Cecilia Garson; Edward Julian
Volume/Issue :
Volume 9 - 2024, Issue 3 - March
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/y8jxfsy6
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/54srvys6
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/IJISRT24MAR679
Abstract :
Many watersheds in the country are being
occupied by untenured settlers who are not aware of the
danger it will cause to our protected areas.
Watershed provides a “well-balanced” system.
Healthy watersheds also offer commercially viable natural
resources (such as wood and non-wood products) and
water for residential, agricultural, and industrial
applications, well- maintained and balanced watersheds
also provide environmental services. Furthermore,
watersheds act as homes for different kinds of plants and
animals. This study is qualitative research which delved
into the experiences and struggles of occupants of informal
settlers, within the Olongapo Watershed Forest Reserve,
which is reflected in the results and discussion. Results and
findings were discussed by forming themes and meanings
elicited from informants’ responses. The study revealed
that participants chose to stay in the protected area
because of the demands of their job, access to basic
services, and poverty. People were drawn to occupy the
watershed protected areas because they could not afford a
decent house to call their own. Furthermore, illegal
occupants and DENR representatives face inherent
problems due to a lack of knowledge and strict
implementation of certain policies, which explains why
these tenants continue to stay in the said location. It is also
fascinating that, considering the tenants’ anxieties brought
by the threat of termination or eviction, they still hope that
the government will give them consideration to have a full
legal right to own a piece of land from the protected area
or give them justifiable relocation sites where they can
start anew. On the other hand, while it is difficult for them
to grasp the reality of the consequences of living there, they
are all open to dialogue and prepared to follow the rule of
law. In addition, the government must set the proper
conditions and benefits for the informal settlers to have a
successful peaceful and humane manner of relocating
informal settlers if they want to conserve and protect the
OWFR.
Keywords :
Ecosystem, Forest Reserve, Urban Landscape, Untenured Migrants, Watershed Protected Areas.
Many watersheds in the country are being
occupied by untenured settlers who are not aware of the
danger it will cause to our protected areas.
Watershed provides a “well-balanced” system.
Healthy watersheds also offer commercially viable natural
resources (such as wood and non-wood products) and
water for residential, agricultural, and industrial
applications, well- maintained and balanced watersheds
also provide environmental services. Furthermore,
watersheds act as homes for different kinds of plants and
animals. This study is qualitative research which delved
into the experiences and struggles of occupants of informal
settlers, within the Olongapo Watershed Forest Reserve,
which is reflected in the results and discussion. Results and
findings were discussed by forming themes and meanings
elicited from informants’ responses. The study revealed
that participants chose to stay in the protected area
because of the demands of their job, access to basic
services, and poverty. People were drawn to occupy the
watershed protected areas because they could not afford a
decent house to call their own. Furthermore, illegal
occupants and DENR representatives face inherent
problems due to a lack of knowledge and strict
implementation of certain policies, which explains why
these tenants continue to stay in the said location. It is also
fascinating that, considering the tenants’ anxieties brought
by the threat of termination or eviction, they still hope that
the government will give them consideration to have a full
legal right to own a piece of land from the protected area
or give them justifiable relocation sites where they can
start anew. On the other hand, while it is difficult for them
to grasp the reality of the consequences of living there, they
are all open to dialogue and prepared to follow the rule of
law. In addition, the government must set the proper
conditions and benefits for the informal settlers to have a
successful peaceful and humane manner of relocating
informal settlers if they want to conserve and protect the
OWFR.
Keywords :
Ecosystem, Forest Reserve, Urban Landscape, Untenured Migrants, Watershed Protected Areas.
