International Journal of Botany Studies

www.botanyjournals.com
ISSN: 2455-541X
Received: 23-08-2021, Accepted: 07-09-2021, Published: 23-09-2021
Volume 6, Issue 5, 2021, Page No. 819-825

Ethnobotanical indigenous knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) in Western Mindanao,

Philippines: The sea nomads “Bajau” of Zamboanga City
Genelyn G Madjos, Kay P Ramos
Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga
City, Mindanao, Philippines

Abstract
Anchored on Republic Act No. 8371 that recognizes, promotes and preserves the indigenous knowledge, systems and practices
(IKSP) and the government’s Universal Health Care Law that guarantees quality health care of all Filipinos, this study
documents the ethnobotanical practices of the sea nomads known as “Bajau” in Zamboanga City of Western Mindanao,
Philippines. A total of 30 snowball-sampled key informants were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Key
informants should have utilized medicinal plants for at least a year at the Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin, Zamboanga City. Data
were then categorized into 16 use categories and quantify the most frequently used species in each category. Plant relative
importance was determined using quantitative ethnobotanical indices: use report (UR), use value (UV), fidelity level (FL), and
informant consensus factor (ICF). Results enumerated 36 medicinal plant species in 35 genera and belonging to 27 families.
The top medicinal plant used was Caesalpinia sappan “Sibukaw” in terms of UR, UV, FL, and ICF. Two medicinally
important plants among the sea nomads were documented locally named as “Kayumanis” and “Kambal-simangko” which are
commercially sold in Chinese drugstore and needs further molecular authentication. “Kamanyan” (incense) is used during their
religious healing ritual “pag-omboh”. Literature review of these documented medicinal plants provides scientific support on
their medicinal uses and applications. Although Bajau people have an intimate association with the sea, they still manage to
preserve their ethnobotanical practices, which are being passed on by their ancestors.

Keywords: Bajau, ethnobotany, snowball sampling, Zamboanga city

Introduction the practical uses and safety of plants [4] which can be
Philippines, as an archipelagic country, is comprised of conducted through literature reviews [5]. Dapar et al. [6, 7]
existing indigenous tribes who have managed to keep their emphasized the need for more ethnobotanical
cultural identity and practices secluded and preserved. One documentation before this knowledge disappears and
of these is the sea nomads known as “Bajau”. Bajau remains forgotten. Anchored on Republic Act No. 8371 that
some of the least privileged members of the society among recognizes, promotes and preserves the indigenous
the different ethnic tribes in the Philippines due to their knowledge, systems and practices (IKSP) and the
inability to access government facilities such as health government’s Universal Health Care Law that guarantees
services because of their status, belief, and lifestyle [1]. Due quality health care of all Filipinos, this present study aims to
in part to their statelessness and topographical detachment, document the ethnobotanical knowledge, systems, and
they have managed to utilize ethnobotanical practices in practices of the Bajau indigenous people in Ayuda Bajau
their primary health care even with their close association to Village, Maasin, Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Philippines.
the sea [2]. A study conducted in Malaysia among the Bajau
indigenous peoples revealed the use of medicinal plants in
women during postpartum care and as herbal medicine in Materials and Methods
treating and preventing various diseases such as cough, Study Site
diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, flu, ringworms and The study was conducted at the Ayuda Bajau Village,
fever [2, 3]. Documenting Indigenous Knowledge, Systems, Maasin, Zamboanga City, Mindanao, Philippines, an
and Practices (IKSP) is part of the growing field of medical indigenous cultural community (ICC) which is officially
ethnobotany to preserve cultural heritage of the indigenous declared by the National Commission on Indigenous
peoples since they only passed their knowledge and Peoples (NCIP) as one of the Bajau communities in
practices through oral communication or by observing Zamboanga City and was purposively chosen for their
cultural practices through generations. These traditional unique indigenous knowledge, systems, and practices in
knowledge and practices have recently considered as the ethnobotanical health care. Figure 1 shows the map of the
framework of most modern medicinal studies by evaluating study site and the actual village.

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Fig 1: Map of the study site and the actual Ayuda Bajau Village in Maasin, Zamboanga City, Philippines. (Left photo adapted from
google.com.images)

Ayuda Bajau Village (6.9751N, 122.0071E; 6mASL) in used was administered among the respondents during the
Maasin, Zamboanga City is comprised of 302 individuals in interview of Bajau in the study site.
144 families. Houses on stilts replaced their “lepa” or
houseboats; however, most of their occupation relies on In-depth interviews
fishing and fish vending. Three in-depth interviews were conducted to obtain a deeper
insight into medicinal plant use in each village among the
Study Design key informants, which are composed of a traditional healer
This study employed both qualitative and quantitative (bidan), a local herbalist (panday), and medicinal plants’
research design. The qualitative part employed a descriptive user. Confidentiality of information was observed during the
research survey design analyzed through thematic analysis. interview, and the survey varied according to the
It also includes the documentation of the Bajau indigenous convenience of informants selected.
healing practices and ethnopharmacological knowledge in
the form of a semi-structured questionnaire with three major Collection of Voucher Specimen
parts (general information of the community, demographic Sample medicinal plants were collected with the assistance
profile and medicinal plant use). The quantitative section of the village experts. These were then pressed and mounted
involved ethnobotanical data such as use report, use value, on herbarium sheets. Collected medicinal plants of Bajau
fidelity level, and informant consensus factor. will serve as vouchers specimens deposited at the WMSU
Herbarium. All field data and labels, i.e., spatial data
Ethical Considerations (latitude, longitude, and elevation,) were recorded in a field
Since this study involves interviews among indigenous record sheet. Identification was done based on comparative
people, requirements related to NCIP clearance were strictly morphology in various herbaria and online databases before
followed. NCIP is the government agency in charge of the the consultation of an expert.
welfare and protection of indigenous peoples, which in this
case on IKSP [8]. Through the assistance of the IKSP team as Qualitative Data Analysis
organized by the NCIP Regional Office after complying Data were filled in the tabular format of the Department of
with all the mandated requirements, community conferences Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Health
and consultation meetings were conducted. The resolution Research Development [8]. Data were systematically
of consent from the Indigenous Political Structure (the categorized by family in alphabetical order containing the
Council of Elders/Tribal leaders) of the Bajau ICC was then valid scientific name as checked in the Co’s Digital Flora of
respectfully sought. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) the Philippines [9]. Other labels such as the common name in
which was later translated to their language was also inked English and vernacular terms, parts used, folkloric use,
between the research proponents, NCIP and the ICC. preparation, and the mode of application are also included.

Sampling and Sample Size Quantitative Data Analysis

A snowball sampling method was employed to 30 key Quantitative indices were obtained and calculated, such as
respondents of legal age (about 10% of the entire Ayuda Use Report (UR), Use Value (UV), Fidelity Level (FL), and
Bajau population) who have utilized medicinal plants in Informant Consensus Factor (ICF). Medicinal plants
treating diseases for a year. The field work and interview, documented in this study were categorized based on the 16-
including the community forum, consultation meetings, and category of uses or diseases validated by Dapar et al. [6]
data validation, were conducted from June 2019 to October among Filipino physicians and medical experts based on the
2019. reported cases and diagnosis among the locals in Mindanao,
Philippines. The 16 disease categories based on the ICD by
Survey Questionnaire the World Health Organization [10] as classification system
A survey questionnaire comprising questions on the reference is highly dependent on a precise diagnosis done by
traditional healing practices and types of the medicinal plant physicians with accurate diagnostic tools. Thus, this

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category reference does not permit to post-hoc classify over which plant to use [14]. ICF can thus be used to pinpoint
diseases or therapeutic uses while on the field. particularly interesting species for the search of bioactive
compounds [15].
a. Use-report (UR)
Every time a plant was mentioned as being used for a d. Fidelity Level (FL)
particular purpose, it was considered to be one use-report. Fidelity Level (FL) is the ratio between the number of
However, if an informant used a plant in more than one informants who mentioned the plant’s use for a specific
purpose under the same category, it was still regarded as a purpose and the total number of informants who stated the
single use-report [11]. A multiple use-report was considered plant’s use for any purpose (regardless the category). This is
when at least two informants mentioned the same plant for developed by Friedman et al. [16] and calculated using the
the same purpose. following formula: FL(%) = (Ip/Iu) x 100, where Ip is the
number of informants who independently suggested the use
b. UseValue (UV) of a plant for a particular purpose, and Iu refers to the total
Use Value (UV), developed by Phillips and Gentry [12], is number of informants who specified a specific plant for any
computed to provide a quantitative measure for the relative use or purpose. High FL values (near 100%) are obtained
importance of species. UV, which is based on the number of for plants for which almost all use-mentions refer to the
uses and the number of people that cite a given plant, is used same purpose. The highest FL values are plants mostly
to indicate the species that are considered most important by preferred for a particular use. In contrast, low FLs are
a given population. UV is calculated using the following generally obtained for plants that are used for many
formula: UV = (ΣUi)/N where Ui is the number of use- different purposes.
reports cited by each informant for a given species, and N is
the total number of informants. This indicates that the plant Results and Discussion
is important when UVs are high with many use-reports. Thirty key informants from Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin,
However, UV does not distinguish whether a plant is used Zamboanga City were surveyed in terms of their indigenous
for single or multiple purposes. ethnobotanical knowledge, systems, and practices. More
than fifty percent of the key informants belong to middle
c. Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) adulthood (age range of 41-60 years old) and mostly, more
Informant Consensus Factor (ICF) was used to analyze the than 10 years on their utilization of medicinal plants in
agreement degree of the informants’ medicinal plant treating diseases (63.33 %). Out of the 30 participants,
knowledge about each category. This quantitative method majority were females (56.67%). Most of the respondents
was adapted from Trotter and Logan [13], who introduced the are already married (73.33%) and with no formal education
Informant Agreement Ratio (IAR), which has come to be attended (63.33%). All males are involved in fishing and
called as the Informant Consensus Factor. ICF is computed fish trading as their occupation, while most of the females
using the following formula: ICF = (Nur - Nt) / (Nur – 1) engaged in mat weaving. As stated by Navarro [17], they are
where Nur is the number of use-report of informants in each the most sea-oriented people of a larger Sama-speaking
category, and Nt is the number of taxa used for a particular group and experts in boatbuilding and fishing. Table 1
category. High ICF values (approach to 1.00) are obtained shows the ethnobotanical knowledge, systems, and practices
when only one or a few plant species are reported to be used among the Bajau tribe in Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin,
by a high proportion of informants for a particular category. Zamboanga City.
In contrast, low ICF values indicate that informants disagree

Table 1: Ethnobotanical knowledge, systems and practices among the Bajau tribe in Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin, Zamboanga City.
Common Name (Local/ Plant Part Preparation/ Mode of
Scientific Name Folkloric Use
English/ Bajau) Used Application
Anacardiaceae
Sineguelas/ Spanish plum/
Spondias purpurea L. Stem, bark Steam Mouth sore, diarrhea
Sirigwelas
Annonaceae
Young Pound seven leaves and
Annona muricata L. Guyabano/ Soursop/Labanos Tetanus, arthritis
leaves Direct application
Apocynaceae
Rauvolfia serpentina (L.) Kurz Serpentina/Snakeroot/Pait-pait Leaves Decoction Hypertension
Araliaceae
Ginseng/Korean ginseng/
Panax ginseng C.A. Mey. Fruits Decoction Muscle Pain
Langkawas
Arecaceae
Cocos nucifera L. Niyog/ Coconut/ Coco Fruit oil Oil extraction Muscle pain
Asphodelaceae
Aloe vera L. Aloe vera Leaves Extraction Burns
Asteraceae
Blumea balsamifera Sambong/Blumea camphor/ Leaves Decoction then bathe Post-partum care
(L.) DC. Sambon Roots Decoction Bleeding
Brassicaceae
Brassica rapa subsp. chinensis Pechay Leaves Direct Cooking Overall Health
Opuntia cochenillifera Cactus/ Cochineal Leaves Grilled Tetanus

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(L.) Mill. nopal cactus/ Busay-busay

Cactaceae
Direct Eating Extract
Carica papaya L. Papaya/ Papaya/ Kapaya Fruit Leaves LBM, constipation Dengue
juice then drink
Clusiaceae/Guttiferae
Garcinia mangostana L. Mangostan Mangosteen/ Mangis Fruit peels Decoction Tuberculosis
Convolvulaceae
Decoction & mixed with
Ipomea aquatica Kangkong/ Water spinach/
Leaves kayumanis & kambal- Fever; Overall Health
Forssk. Kangkong
simangko
Camote tops/ Sweet potato/ Decoction through
Ipomoea batatas (L.) Poir Leaves Fever, anemia
Talbos ng kamote cooking
Cucurbitaceae
Decoction and drink
Leaves Leaves Diabetes, fever Post-Partum care
Momordica charantia L. Ampalaya/Bitter gourd/Paliya Wash in hygienic part
Fruits Anemia
Cooking
Euphorbiaceae
Dengue, cough,
Whole Plant
Euphorbia hirta L. Gatas-gatas/ Asthma weed Decoction Extraction stomachache, wounds, tumor,
Leaves
pus
Kamoteng-kahoy/ Cassava/
Manihot esculenta Crantz Leaves Decoction Swelling
Kamanting
Ricinus communis Tangan-tangan/ Castor bean/
Leaves Steam Injuries
L. Tangan-tangan
Fabaceae
Decoction then drink as Rheumatism arthritis, cough,
Caesalpinia sappan L. Sibukaw/Sappan wood/Sibukaw Roots Bark needed Decoction and tuberculosis, fractures, muscle
infused with coconut oil pain, physical relapse, flu
Makahiya/ Sensitive plant/
Mimosa pudica L. Roots Decoction Fertility
Makahiya
Vigna radiate (L.) Wilczek Monggo/ Mongo bean/ Monggo Fruits Cooking Anemia
Lamiaceae
Ocimum Sangig/ Lemon basil/ Fever, polio, newborn care,
Leaves Extraction
africanum Lour. Sulase asthma
Lagundi/ Five-leaved chaste
Vitex negundo L. Leaves Decoction Cough
tree/ Lagundi
Lauraceae
Abokado/Alligator
Persea americana Mill. Leaves Decoction LBM
pear/Abokado
Malvaceae
Abelmoschus esculentus (L.)
Okra/ Lady’s fingers/ Okra Fruits Leaves Decoction Decoction Stomachache, LBM
Moench.
Hibiscus Gumamela China rose/
Flower Pounding Wounds Boils
rosa-sinensis L. Gumamela
Menispermaceae
Tinospora Makabuhay/ Heavenly elixir/ Diabetes, fever, physical relapse,
Stem Decoction
rumphii Boerl Pitawali birth control, hepatitis
Moringaceae
Dog bites, wounds Fever,
Malunggay Horse radish tree/ Bark Leaves Pounding Decoction
Moringa oleifera Lam. hypertension
Malunggay Fruits Extraction Decoction
Diabetes
Muntingiaceae
Leaves
Muntingia calabura L. Aratiles/ Cherry tree/ Datiles Decoction Direct Eating Tuberculosis, bleeding Diabetes
Fruits
Myrtaceae
Psidium guajava L. Bayabas/ Guava/ Bayabas Leaves Decoction Post-Partum care, LBM, arthritis
Oleaceae
Sampaguita/ Arabian jasmine/
Jasminum sambac (L.) Aiton Stem Decoction Birth contro l
Sampaguita
Pedaliaceae
Sesamum indicum Extraction and applied as
Linga/ Sesame/Lunga Seeds Skin itch, wounds
L. poultice
Poaceae
Cymbopogon
Tanglad/ Lemon grass/ Saiy Leaves & Stem Boiling Hypertension, fever
citratus (DC.) Stapf
Zea mays L. Mais/ Corn/ Mais bigas Fruit grains Direct Cooking Diabetes
Rubiaceae
Morinda citrifolia L. Apatot/ Noni fruit/ Bangkoro Leaves, fruit Decoction Fracture, cancer
Solanaceae

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Capsicum frutescens L. Sili/ Red pepper/ Sili Fruits Pounding Toothache

Lycopersicon esculentum Mill. Kamatis/ Tomato/ Kamatis Leaves Direct Chewing Cough

Results revealed 36 medicinal plant species belonging to 35 properties. Decoction is the most frequently used mode of
genera and 27 families. Family Euphorbiaceae and Fabaceae preparation through boiling the materials and extracting
are the most represented. Family Euphorbiaceae is used all essences or active ingredients [21].
over the world in traditional medicine, especially in the Common disorders recorded are cough, wounds, fractures
traditional Chinese medicine. Euphorbia extracts contain and fever while some lifestyle-related diseases include
secondary metabolites such as sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, hypertension, cancer and diabetes. They also utilized
sterols, flavonoids, and other polyphenols. These bioisolates extracts from medicinal plants in their post-partum care as
may act as active components for the treatment of many well as a means of birth control and to alleviate menstrual
human ailments, mainly inflammation, cancer, and pain which agrees with similar studies in Malaysia among
microbial infections [18]. Bajau indigenous peoples [2, 3]. Locally-termed disease
In like manner, Family Fabaceae possesses important “bughat” or physical relapse emerged which refers to the
biomolecules with pharmacological importance which is feeling of weakness, tiredness and flu-like symptoms
mainly flavonoids and accounting for its important experienced by women after giving birth [22].
bioactivities such as analgesic activities [19]. Aside from Even with their little association to agriculture due to their
these medicinal plants, an algae known as sea lettuce (Ulva intimate association to the sea, the Bajau exhibits
lactuca) of the Family Ulvaceae is being utilized as one of ethnobotanical practices since they believed that it is
the medicinal sources of Bajaus to cure contagion and effective in treating their diseases. According to a local
rheumatism through decoction. Bajau herbalist, the knowledge of utilizing medicinal herbs
Two other medicinally important plants were documented is passed down from ancestors.
locally named as “kayumanis” and “kambal-simangko” Based on the categorization of diseases and ethnobotanical
which are sold in Chinese drugstore and needs further indices, the top three medicinal plants utilized are
authentication. “Kamanyan” (incense) was accordingly used “kayumanis”, C. sappan (sibukaw) and “kambal-simangko”
in conjunction with “kambal- simangko”, “kayumanis” and in terms of Use Report UR), Use Value (UV), Informant
certain medicinal plants in treating common illnesses Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL). These
coupled with traditional ritual “omboh” (prayers). ethnobotanical indices indicate that majority of the
“Kayumanis”, a certain tree bark, is utilized for fever and respondents use it to cure diseases, notes the species relative
mouth sore by soaking it in a glass of hot water while importance, and pinpoints particularly interesting species for
“kambal-simangko” is a type of dried seeds soak in hot further search of bioactive phytochemicals. While
water for fever and loose bowel movement. These two are “kayumanis” and “kambal-simangko” are bought at a
the most frequently utilized practices by the Bajau Chinese drugstore, C. sappan is just around the locality. C.
indigenous peoples of Ayuda Bajau Village, Maasin, sappan has been known in tropical countries, as one of
Zamboanga City. herbal plant use in rural areas [23]. The Bajaus discovered its
Leaf parts are the most commonly utilized plant part medicinal use since time immemorial through utilizing the
through various methods in treating different illnesses. stem as joints for boats instead of nails.
According to Morilla et al. [20], leaves contain important Table 2 shows the disease categories with quantitative data
phytochemicals and secondary metabolites that have on ethnobotanical indices (Use Report, Use Value, Fidelity
significant bioactivities such as analgesic and cytotoxic Level and Informant Consensus Factor).

Table 2. Disease categories with quantitative data on ethnobotanical indices (use report, use value, fidelity level and informant consensus
factor).
Use Categories and Abbreviations (adapted Reported Diseases or Uses No. of FL
Cate-gory No. Frequently Used Species UR UV ICF
from Dapar et al. [6, 7]) under each Category Taxa (%)
Diseases caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic Euphorbia hirta
1 Dengue fever 10 2 0.33 77 0.9
infections (BVP) (tawa-tawa)
2 Tissue growth problems (TGP) Cancer Morinda citrifolia (apatot) 2 1 0.06 100 1.0
Tinospora rumphii Boerl
3 Endocrine, nutritional, and metabolic (ENM) Diabetes 9 2 0.3 100 0.9
(makabuhay)
4 Diseases of the nervous system (DNS) Migraine, nervous break-down - - - - - -
5 Diseases of the eye (EYE) Sore eyes - - - - - -
6 Diseases of the ear (EAR) Dischar-ging ear - - - - -
Anemia, Cymbopogon citratus
7 Diseases of the circulatory system (DCS) 10 2 0.33 100 0.9
high blood pressure (tanglad)
Vitex negundo
8 Diseases of the respiratory system (DRS) Asthma, cough with phlegm 5 2 0.167 100 0.8
(lagundi)
Constipa-tion, diarrhea, mouth
9 Diseases of the digestive system (DDS) “Kambal-simangko” 15* 2 0.5* 100* 0.9*
sore, toothache
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
10 Diseases of the skin (DOS) Boils 4 2 0.13 100 0.8
(gumamela)
Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue Caesalpinia sappan
11 Arthritis, rheuma-tism 16* 2 0.53* 100 0.93*
problems (MCP) (sibukaw)
Menstruation, urinary tract Rauvolfia serpentina
12 Genito-urinary problems (GUP) 4 2 0.13 100% 0.67
infection (pait-pait)
Maternal care, postpartum care
Uses in pregnancy to delivery, maternal and Psidium guajava
13 and recovery, newborn baby 12 4 0.4 77.8% 0.73
infant care (PMI) (guava)
care

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Abdominal pain, body aches,

14 Abnormal signs and symptoms (ASS) headache, fever, malaise and “Kayumanis” 18* 2 0.6* 100%* 0.94*
fatigue
Cuts and wounds, fracture,
15 Other problems of external causes (OEC) Tangan-Tangan 6 3 0.2 80% 0.6
poisoning
Moringa oleifera
16 Other uses (OTU) Circum-cision, antiseptic 6 3 0.2 75% 0.6
(malunggay)
Legend: *with asterisks – top 3 medicinal plants utilized

The majority of the respondents (76.67 %) revealed that the Philippines. Results revealed 36 medicinal plant species
effectiveness of the treatment based on their personal belonging to 35 genera, 27 families utilized by Bajaus in
experiences influenced their health-seeking practices to treating diseases and used for women’s post-partum care.
medicinal plants. Effectiveness refers to the extent to which The top three medicinal plants used are “kayumanis”,
specific treatments able to relieve or cure certain ailments. Caesalpinia sappan (sibukaw) and “kambal-simangko” in
However, some of these practices have not really undergone terms of Use Report (UR), Use Value (UV), Informant
rigorous study to make definitive comments about efficacy. Consensus Factor (ICF) and Fidelity Level (FL).
Testimonies from other Bajau users follow this information “Kamanyan” is used in conjunction with medicinal plants
being passed to generation to generation. In the case of the and coupled with their traditional ritual termed as “pag-
Bajau’s traditional healing practices, users usually share omboh”.
their experience with family members, neighbors, and Even with their little association to agriculture due to their
friends on the usefulness and effectiveness of the treatment, intimate association to the sea, they have managed to
as well as their own experiences relating to the use preserve their ethnobotanical practices which are being
particular in healing practice also provide recognition on the passed on orally by their ancestors. A safety characterization
possible benefits that they gain from using it. While of these ethnobotanical practices and scientific validation of
accessibility and affordability also play a role in their the medicinal plant’s bioactivities are recommended as it
health-seeking behavior on medicinal plants (30%), this is plays a role in primary health care of the Bajau’s indigenous
true as every coin for them matters, as they are more cultural community. Further, phytochemical and molecular
focused on search for food or ways just to eat. Accessibility analyses of the commercially bought medicinal plants,
refers to the distance, which also involves time and should be considered.
expenses for the villagers to reach the nearest hospital or
clinics for treatments. They will prefer to see remedies from Acknowledgements
local “bidan” or herbalist and find cures from plants that The authors are grateful to Western Mindanao State
can be easily obtained from forest or home gardens than to University through the Research Development and
spend a great distance to seek for medical treatments. The Evaluation Center (RDEC) under the office of the Vice
government’s move to recognize the rights of Indigenous President for RESEL for the research funding. Further, the
People has been in place, especially in their right to health. support of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices
One of its main programs to address the right to health of (IKSP) team through the National Commission of
indigenous peoples is the Modified Conditional Cash Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) as well as the technical
Transfer (MCCT) or Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino assistance extended by the Philippine Association of
Program (4Ps) of the Department of Social Work and Medical Journal Editors (PAMJE), through Dr. Josie I.
Development (DSWD). This aims to address cultural and Lapena are also acknowledged.
language needs, as well as the geographical remoteness and
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