Table 2. Recommended Edible Bird's Nest Harvesting

G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34

Our Palawan The Scientific Journal of the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development Research and Analysis: Sustainable Development Research/Biological Diversity Available on-line at www.pkp.pcsd.gov.ph

Collection and Trade Dynamics of Edible Nest Swiftlet (Aerodramus fuciphagus Thunberg, 1812) Nest in Northern Palawan, Philippines

Glenda M. Cadigal1

Abstract Keywords: This paper seeks to describe, assess and evaluate the edible birds collection and trade of edible birds nest in the nest Municipalities of Taytay and El Nido, areas stronghold Nido of edible nest production in the province of Palawan, swiftlets Philippines. Determining the swiftlet species, evaluating the nest collection, trade practices and existing regulatory mechanisms against the government provisions on the conservation and management of caves resources and wildlife are the goals of the study. Such research objective aims to translate findings into policy recommendations for sustainable resource production and management. Issues and challenges such as overharvesting and poaching; declining nest production and quality; declining quality of bird residential habitat and food supply source due to (a) change in land use (conversion of forest to upland agriculture, plantations and clearing); (b) conflicting land use options against nest collection; and (c) use of pesticides from adjacent agriculture areas and tourism were documented. Establishment and implementation of open and close season for harvesting of edible nest is highly recommended to ensure sustainability of harvest and bird population.

1Project Development Officer, ECAN Zones Management Division, PCSDS Address correspondence to: PCSD Building, Sports, Complex Road, Sta. Monica Heights, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan P.O. Box 45 PPC 5300 Palawan, Philippines. Email: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION 2. METHODOLOGY Palawan Province, home to major This research is mainly a descriptive protected areas and a declared UNESCO Man and evaluative study. The study analyzed the and the Biosphere Reserve (MAB) is practice of permitting regulation, nest safeguarded by a special law, Republic Act collection and trade by the gatherers, 7611 or the Strategic Environmental Plan (SEP) concession holders, buyers and traders, and the catering to the islands’ fragile configuration. local government units (LGU). Research SEP Law for Palawan evolve around the inputs include the taxonomic identification of sustainable development concept as its resource the swiftlet species by actual specimen management strategy. collection and identification. Among the province’s unique ecosystem Cave locations were determined using is the El Nido – Taytay Managed Resource a Global Positioning System to come up with Protected Area (ENTMRPA) in the an edible birds nest active caves map. The municipalities of Taytay and El Nido in North study sites covered the islands of Pandan, Palawan. Unique limestone cliff of karst Pabellon Pequeno and Pabellon Grande in formation makes up most of the local islands, Taytay (Figure 1); Estar and Imorigue Cave preferred habitats of the edible nest producing Complex in Barangay Maytigued and swiftlets providing one of the world’s most Barangays New Ibajay and Bebeladan in El sought after and expensive animal products Nido, Palawan (Figure 2). consumed by humans for over 400 years (Hobbs, 2004). The Edible Bird’s Nest (EBN) is highly popular to the Chinese for pharmaceutical applications and a delicacy believed to promote beauty and longevity (Lim, 2011 pers com). The nests are built during the birds’ breeding season from December to June (Sheshnarayan, 2009) as the birds prepare for egg laying, using its interwoven saliva as the building block for nest weaving until it takes the shape of a shallow cup stuck to the cave wall. Nest collection has been a practice in these areas for centuries. However, the actual volume of harvested products shipped out of the province has never been declared including the flow of monetary transaction and how much the industry is worth. The government’s laws, policies and conservation action on nest regulation and management is also not clear. In the Philippines, there are two (2) national laws significant on birds and its habitat, Caves (RA 9072) and Wildlife (RA 9147). In April and May 2001 respectively, the administrative mandate for the implementation of these laws is relied to the Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD). However, strict compliance to the provisions of these laws need to be examined in the view of sustainable development and species survival amidst anecdotal reports of declining nest supply and quality. The impending threat of a Figure 1. Location Map of Municipalities collapsing edible bird’s nest industry prompted of Taytay and El Nido, Palawan, this research in its attempt to provide the much needed answers for species conservation. (2011)

(a)

(b)

Figure 2. Barangays of New Ibajay and Figure 3. (a) Nest of edible-nest swiftlet and Bebeladan in El Nido and Bgy. (b) nest and eggs (Photos courtesy of Maytigued, Taytay, Palawan as Jovic Fabello ) focused study sites (Taytay and El Nido, Palawan, 2011) The study utilized interview approach of solidified saliva weaved for 35 days using a semi-structured questionnaire, Focus (Encyclopedia of Life, 2014; Jordan, 2004) and Group Discussion (FGD) and Key Informant is collected to make bird's nest soup (Figure Survey (KIS). All three (3) concession contract 3). Local respondents from the study site holders in Taytay and El Nido and 36 gatherers observed that nests are made by both male and and traders served as respondents for study. female birds in a simultaneous manner, each working on two (2) ends of the nest cup. As a group, Aerodramus swiftlets are 3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION distributed very broadly, with species occurring in southern continental Asia, the Philippines, Indo-Australian archipelago, to The edible-nest swiftlet (Aerodramus north Australia, west and southwest Pacific and fuciphagus) is a small bird of the swift family on islands in the South Pacific and Indian found in South-east Asia. These swallow-like Oceans (Government of Italy, 1994; EOL, birds are closely related to hummingbirds, 2014). The species is native to Brunei, which are able to navigate through dark caves Cambodia, Mainland China, India, Indonesia, using echolocation. The bird produces nest Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, attached on the walls of caves made Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam in which all are reported to be extant.

Considered as the most aerial of birds, and Sankaran, 2010) by dictating the level of a common swift can cruise at a maximum availability of food sources. Information on the speed of 31 meters per second or 112 km/hr, habitat preference, feeding and breeding 70 mph (Piper, 2007). The legs, as with many requirements of the species contributes in swifts, are very short, preventing the birds determining site species factors that dictate from perching, but allowing them to cling to species breeding success. This information will vertical surfaces. The flight is mainly gliding provide management conservation solutions to due to very long primary feathers and small re-engineer the conservation efforts for the breast muscles. Aerodramus swiftlets, depend- species. ing on species, weigh 8–35 grams (0.28– 1.23 oz) and are 9–16 centimetres (0.28– The breeding seasonality of the 1.23 inches) long (EOL, 2014; Chantler and edible–nest swiftlets is strongly linked with Driessens, 2000). rainfall (Sheshnarayan, 2009). Northern Palawan’s condition is of Type I climate Aerodramus are aerial insectivores, wherein there are two pronounced seasons, wet which take prey on insects such as flies, and dry, with maximum rain period from June attacking on the wings. They roost and breed to September and a dry season which lasts in caves; during the day they leave the caves from 3 to 6 months (Moog, 2005). Here, rainfall to forage for food, and return to roost at night. occurs mostly during the southwest monsoon They are monogamous and both partners take (“Habagat”) season prevailing during the rainy part in caring for the nestlings. The breeding months of June to September. Sheshnarayan’s season overlaps the wet season, which study in 2009 showed that the species mostly corresponds to an increased insect population copulate on the nest producing 2 eggs as a nor- (EOL, 2014; Chantler and Driessens, 2000). mal clutch with many birds laying second In the Philippines, observed breeding season clutches (75%) and some third clutches (15- occurs from the months of May to November 4%) using the same nest (Langham, 2008). during the wet periods. An observed fidelity Incubation period is 23 ± 3days, while fledging to the roosting site was documented based on periods is 43 + 6 day. Total days requirement anecdotal information from respondents, from incubation to fledging is 78 ± 3 days or wherein the same pair will construct the nest almost 2.6 months. exactly where it was first created. The same spot will be continuously utilized as long as Protection Status it is not disturbed and remain in the cave Aerodramus fuciphagus (Figure 4) is and birds do not migrate (EOL, 2014). No classified under Least Concern by IUCN population trend has been recorded for the justified by its extremely large range, and hence species, however, the population is suspected does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable to be in decline owing to over harvesting of under the range size criterion (Extent of eggs and nestlings (Birdlife, 2014; Del Hoyo et al., 1999). Birdlife International in 2014 estimated the extent of area covered by the bird utilized for breeding / residence to cover as much as 1,650,000 square kilometers (km2). The species soars at cave locations with an altitude of 0-2,800 meters above sea level for breeding. Sea cliffs and rocky offshore islands, subtropical/tropical moist lowland areas, subtropical/tropical moist montane, and tropical dry shrub lands are mostly utilized for residence including feeding. Based on Langham’s assessment in 2008, it can be described that 2.74 to 4.12 hours per day are spent foraging on aerial insects. Microhabitat use are of >10 m above forest canopy, or >30 m above ground elevation. Therefore, deforestation near and distant from caves used by swiftlets for breeding can severely affect Figure 4. Edible Nest Swiftlet (A. fuciphagus) the wild population of the species (Manchi (Source: planetbirds.blogspot.com)

26 © 2015 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34 occurrence <20,000 km2). There was, however, twenty percent (20%) for the PCSDS for an attempt to include the species under CITES the purpose of providing administrative and in 1994 but received oppositions from nest technical assistance and information producing countries. Currently, the only dissemination campaign; (b) management protection of the species in the Philippines is contracts with birds nest concessionaires/ provided under Republic Act 9147 otherwise managers must be through competitive bidding known as the Wildlife Protection and or expression of interest to conserve, manage Conservation Act which provides for the and utilize/collect edible birds nest subject to regulated collection, possession and trade of the terms and conditions of PCSD; and (c) threatened, non-threatened wildlife and wildlife PCSD to issue a final approval of permits for by-products and derivatives in the entire the collection and removal of cave resources country without appropriate permit. including edible birds nest. However, Edible Nest Importance, Uses and Benefits PCSD approval and issuance of collection permits is not being fully implemented. A full cup size edible birds nest approximately weigh 14-15 grams and measures Likewise, there is no provision on 3 to 4 inches in its entire length. Nest class are collection quota or collection schedule classified into four (4) as follows: Class A - First imposed to the concessionaires. A prescribed (1st) Class, also called “Primera” and commands collection season, however, was documented the highest market value; Class AB - Second from the issuance by the Department of (2nd) Class, also called “Buena”; Class B - Third Agriculture and Natural Resources (3rd) Class, also called “Segunda”; Class C- Administrative Order No. 1 approved on July Fourth (4th) Class; and Class D (5th class) or 31, 1929 by Governor General Dwight F. “Sinisa” bits and pieces of nest and what is left Davis imposing a close season for nest off as a result of the cleaning process. collection beginning May 01 to June 30. The Anecdotal accounts of the research respondents Department of Environment and Natural show that the color or clarity of the nest is Resources – Community Environment and dependent on the depth of the nesting site, the Natural Resources Officer (DENR-CENRO)- deeper and the darker the caves, the higher the Taytay, based on several communications to quality of the nest the birds will produce. Taytay LGU in 1986, likewise prescribed a close season of 01 April to June 30 of every Nest Collection Regulation year. Available literature shows that edible In Taytay, a concession contract is birds nest collection in Taytay, Palawan are awarded to a sole concessionaire, while in practiced as early as or even before 1927 when El Nido, aside from a concession contract, Act No. 3379 which authorized the individual collection permits are issued by the municipalities to impose license taxes from the LGU. For both municipalities, there is usually privilege of gathering edible bird’s nests, was a financier funding the payment of lease enacted on December 3, 1927. Thus, the local contracts. The concessionaire acts as a governments of Taytay and El Nido had been manager of the concession and serves as the entering into concession agreements through legal personality to enter into an agreement bidding of concession contracts for the with the LGU. The manager/concessionaire exclusive privilege to collect/gather edible birds maintains a set of his/her collectors and nest. However, following the enactment of the initially provides for their food and other needs Wildlife Act (Republic Act 9147) and Caves Act while in the concession areas. During (Republic Act 9072) in 2001, these laws harvests, the busyadors or nest collectors mandated the management of wildlife, caves sell the entire harvest to the concessionaire and cave resources in the province of Palawan who will deduct the expenses for food and to the Palawan Council for Sustainable other cash advances by the collectors. The Development (PCSD). The LGUs of Taytay and concessionaire makes an average of Php 10.00 El Nido and PCSD entered into a Memorandum per gram profit upon selling to the financier. of Agreement in 2005 authorizing the LGUs to Security is also being maintained to guard the issue concession contracts subject to the caves, which are either paid by the busyadors following: (a) the revenue derived from the or they guard the islands themselves. gathering and utilization of edible birds nest shall accrue in a General Fund Special Account Nest Collection and Preparation of the Municipal Government to be allocated as Harvesting or collection of nests follows: eighty percent (80%) LGU share and commences upon the awarding of the lease

©2015 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development 27 G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34 agreement between the LGU and the winning busyadors. This is also the reason that the bidder which usually happens in December. In harvesting interval is shortened to 15 days. A Taytay, collection starts in January of each year. prolonged harvesting interval requires There are seven (7) collection periods as employing guards adding up on cost. It was practiced, observing a 15 days interval between also mentioned by individual collectors in harvests. First harvest is made between January Barangay Bebeladan that they prefer to advance 18-21 followed by February 6-8; February 25- nest collection than be stolen from them. 27; March 15-17; March 31-April 2; April 15-17 However, with this practice, the birds are and April 30- May 2 for the second, third, forced to reconstruct the nests. which (a) leads fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh harvest to further stress to the wildlife which may affect respectively. After the 7th collection, the its health condition; (b) will not allow the bird busyadors refrain from further collection and to lay a clutch in the absence of a nest; and (c) observes a rest period called as “palipad”. will not give ample time for the chicks to During the palipad, the birds are allowed to fledge, therefore, will not provide a continuously lay their eggs until fledging. The replacement generation of nest-producing birds. next collection resumes on the last week of On the other hand, nest collection in El December called as “limpiada” meaning to Nido particularly in Estar/Star Cave Complex clean. During limpiada, the nests utilized by the concession starts with the limpiada done in birds for hatching are removed. Given that the January. All collected nests are sold to the birds will be utilizing the same spot for nesting, financier. First harvesting starts in the 3rd week the area is intended to be free from the old of February, between February 20-23. During utilized nest in preparation for the next harvest this time, the nest collected is about 1 inch in season. width by 2.5 inches in length. Harvest takes an The busyadors refer to the process of approximately four (4) days to cover an entire actual collection as suot. The deep and dark concession. The busyadors will return for the crevices are manually penetrated using second to sixth harvest every after 15 days bamboo ladders, ropes, lighted bamboo poles or until the last week of May, particularly during flashlight tied to the head and a makeshift stick March 15-18; March 30-Apri 1; April 15-18 with a bended fork with string on one end is and May 30-June 1. After the last harvest of used to remove the attached nest from wall. June until the last week of August, the birds There is no safety equipment provided for the will be allowed to breed to observe palipad. collectors considering the hazards of collection. The seventh collection will be made between After each collection, the busyadors prepare the September 1-3 which is called “naliparan” or “sahing” or a lighted pagsahingin (Canarium abandoned nests, after which, the caves are left asperium var asperium) resin stuck and lighted to rest until December. The use of “sahing” is on one end of a stick and made to exude also practiced in El Nido. Collection in smoke. The smoke is believed to remove the Imorigue Island concession in Taytay is made smell of the busyadors who entered which deters every 15th day of the month starting from the birds to build nest in the nesting areas. January 15 to July 15 completing a seven Similarly, busyadors in Taytay mentioned that harvesting period with 30 days interval. they do not allow gatherers to enter the caves if Individual nest collection is they are wearing perfumes. concentrated in Barangay Bebeladan. Here, During harvest period, the caves are well gatherers collect nest size of just over one (1) guarded to prevent nest poaching. However, it centimeter in width, weaved for approximately is believed that it is also the busyadors who 10 days, which they called “ballpen”, adopting are stealing the nest and selling to other buyers, from the diameter of a ball point pen. This is because it is they who are knowledgeable on the said to be practiced in times when they cannot location and the actual number of nests per cave afford to pay for guards to look after the caves. hole. The busyadors are forced to steal the nest They felt that if they do not collect the nests, because of cash advances from the someone else will, so they became thieves concessionaire. If they will wait for the timed themselves. Harvesting season in Bebeladan is harvesting period, they are forced to sell their more intense than that of the other concession harvests to the concessionaire who will areas in El Nido. Here, collection starts in the automatically deduct such cash advanced, last week of January, then followed by the therefore, there will be very little amount left for second collection during the last week of their family. Nest stealing is the major problem February. However, succeeding collections start identified by both the concessionaires and the mid of March until June completing the 10

28 © 2015 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34 collection period observing a 15 days interval years. Neither the global, nor regional in between harvests. (country or province) population of Aerodramus fuciphagus has been quantified Volume of Nest Collection (IUCN, 2014). As such, IUCN in its latest The volume of total nest collected is assessment version 3.1 in 2001 classified never officially reported, neither the the species as Least Concern due to the concessionaire nor the individual collectors to species’ extremely large range of occurrence. It either the local government or to the PCSD. was however, recognized that the harvesting of There is also no reporting mechanism requiring nests remains a threat to the species and the the concessionaires to comply. As such, the population trend is decreasing. actual volume of collected nests produced from Nest Production, and Marketing each cave cannot be precisely determined. Therefore, the estimated volume of production The famous Edible Bird’s Nest were derived from: (a) harvest record of harvestedin Taytay and El Nido, Palawan is busyadors sold to the concessionaire; and (b) highly sought for in the market. El Nido in record of caves with active nest holes particular was able to set its branding on the frequented by birds as documented by past product as source of high quality nests and thus concessionaires. Records of nest sites were commands high price (E. Lim, 2011, pers used to extrapolate the volume of harvest comm). As such, even the bird’s nest collected using 3.33 grams per nest estimate. from Sabah in Malaysia enters Palawan through the backdoor passing through El Nido Based on the extrapolated information and declared as El Nido “Balinsasayaw” nests from the survey results, the total volume of (Maximo 2011, pers comm.). The process of harvested edible birds nest in Taytay is 80.5 nest cleaning is usually done by the women kilograms (kg) and 62.03 kg in 2011 and 2014, members of the family of the busyadors. Nest respectively. However, concentrating in are either sold as is (as collected) or cleaned. Pabellon islands alone, the total harvest is Nest cleaning starts by soaking in water to recorded at 63 kg and 62.03 kg in 2011 and loosen the strands. Then using a tweezor or a 2014, respectively. The total estimated bird forceps will manually remove the feathers and population in Taytay in 2011 and 2014 is 5,400 other impurities. The nests are then air dried and individuals and 5,316 individuals, respectively, are ready for trade. The selling and buying with a computed decline of 1.55% in three (3) ranges and averages is shown in Table 1. Table 1. Selling and Buying Rates of Edible Birds Nest (EBN) in Taytay and El Nido, Palawan (2014) Seller Gatherers / Busyador Local Concessionaire/ Buyer Buyer/Trader Nest Class A AB/B C Price Range (PHP) / kg 70,000 - 150,000 60,000-100,000 30,000-90,000 Average Price (PHP)/ kg 100,000 70,000 50,000 Local Concessionaire/ Seller Buyer/Trader Local Financiers / Chinatown/ Chinese Buyer Clients in Manila Nest Class A AB/B C Price Range (PHP) / kg 150,000-175,000 90,000-140,000 80,000-90,000 Average Price (PHP)/ kg, (A) 160,000 120,000 85,000 Profit Margin (%)based on (A) 37.50 41.67 41.18 Traha (%) 30 40 - 50 70 Resiko (%) 70 40 - 50 30 Note: Traha pertains to percentage weight loss; Resiko pertains to the net weight left ©2015 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development 29 G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34

Nest collected by the busyadors are directly sold to the concessionaires. The concessionaire then sells the nests to the financiers with additional Php 10.00/gram or Php 10,000/kg mark up. The financiers sell the nest to Chinese families or directly delivered to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila at an average price of Php 160,000/kg, Php 120,000/kg and Php 85,000/kg for Class A, AB/B and C respectively. The traders enjoy an average of 37% profit for Class A and 41% for Class AB/B (a) and C (Figure 3). The buying price is dictated by the buyer. In weighing nests, the buyer deducts percentage losses called “traha” to cover losses from moisture and other impurities. What is left will be the net weight called “resiko”. Trade Routes and Product Destination Most of the EBN collected from Taytay and El Nido are mainly brought to Chinatown in Binondo, Manila and are sold to either the local market or to other international destinations. A small percentage however is (b) either (a) directly ordered by wealthy Chinese families in the City of Puerto Princesa or in Metro Manila; or (b) shipped by small boats to the neighboring province of Mindoro and Figure 3. Edible nests (a) Class A; and (b) Batangas before transporting to Manila. Nest Class C, ready for trade (Photos courtesy of collected from other municipalities of Palawan Jovic Fabello) such as Coron and Busuanga in the Calamianes Group of Islands are either directly flown to Manila by plane or by boat or transported to El transported to Manila passing through Palawan. Nido before going to Manila. This is somehow Further, an additional 32.557 kg of imported practiced to tag the commodity as El Nido birds nest from Malaysia was also recorded. harvest if it is delivered to clients coming from Issues and Challenges to the Edible Birds El Nido. Nest Industry in Palawan Similarly, harvests from Tawi-Tawi are a. Uncontrolled Nest Harvesting by poaching transported to Brooke’s Point in South Palawan and shipped to Puerto Princesa City or El Nido Nest poaching is the major problem before transporting to Manila. This is also true reported by all respondents. However, nest for products from Sabah, Malaysia which arrive poachers continue to collect even during the in Balabac, Palawan or Rio Tuba in Bataraza, breeding season, forcing the birds to Palawan then moved to Puerto Princesa or El continuously rebuild its nest, thereby Nido before transporting to Manila. In exhausting its energy that would have been the absence of declared transport data of EBN, utilized for foraging and breeding. a detailed production trend cannot be b. Declining nest production established. The only available trade volume is those passing through the regulationA 54.95% decrease in bird population mechanism of PCSD which started in 2012. The was documented in Imorigue Island from 2000 figures are actual volume issued with local to 2011. However, an increase of 67% was transport permit (LTP) from nine (9) PCSD- recorded in Estar/Cave Complex. Since the two issued Wildlife Special Use Permit holders. (2) caves are located in the same barangay, it Annual total traded volume recorded is 29.914 may be true to the claim of some respondents kg; 130.825 kg and 200.403 kg for 2012, 2013 that the birds migrate to other areas if disturbed and 2014 respectively. The volume however in their original nesting site. However, the includes nests coming from Tawi-Tawi and population increase in one area is not

30 © 2015 Palawan Council for Sustainable Development G. M. Cadigal/Our Palawan 1 (1): 23-34 commensurate to the decrease in another to concrete cave conservation programs to ensure establish site migration. the sustainability of the industry. The PCSD on the other hand has started initial assessment of c. Change in land use (from forest to upland edible bird’s active caves in 2011 but the action agriculture, plantations and clearing) was limited to the identification of affecting the quality of residential habitat and economically important caves for edible birds food supply nest. Such identification needs PCSD adoption Destruction of the adjacent forest area by for declaration but has not yet been acted upon slash and burn and clear cutting or conversion of to date. Formulation of cave management plans forest to agriculture may have contributed to is also lacking. The PCSD is likewise bounded altering the foraging grounds of the birds. to ensure that nest collection shall be subjected Habitat fragmentation forces the birds to to a permit, however, only one (1) out of the consume more energy to transfer to suitable three (3) concessionaires has been issued a foraging areas thus uses up energy that may be collection permit. Further, though some traders utilized for breeding activities such as nest have been issued trade permits, few are still building. The birds are also forced to travel long engaging in collection and trade without PCSD distances in search of food for themselves and permits. The PCSD started to regulate the for their chicks. Long flight onwards to the collection and transport of edible birds nest in foraging areas and on their way back consumes Palawan in 2012. At present, there are nine (9) energy of the parent and prevents them from Wildlife Special Use Permit (WSUP) holders feeding their chicks in time which may result to for collection and direct trade; one (1) trader death and or delayed fledging. and one (1) concessionaire. However, per Section 19 of PCSD AO 12, before an d. Conflicting Land Use economically important non-threatened wildlife The presence of an adjacent tourism is regulated for collection and trade, the PCSD establishment in Barangay Bebeladan, needs to declare the species as an specifically El Nido Resorts by Ten Knots economically important wildlife. Unless the Development Corporation is seen by the PCSD identifies the species as such, the issu- respondents as a deterrent to the bird ance of a WSUP for the collection and direct population. It was observed by the respondents trade of the EBN stands as incongruent to the that the population of the birds decreased when provision of the Wildlife Act or R.A.9147. the resort conducted its regular fogging 4. CONCLUSION AND POLICY activities to minimize the population of IMPLICATION mosquitoes. Some caves frequented by tourist are also said to be disturbed and caused the The links between environment and birds to leave the nesting sites. Use of people ’ s well-being is straight forward; it is fertilizers and pesticide on variety of insects clear that the environment plays a complex but preyed by birds may also have negative effects crucial part in livelihood strategies. Therefore, on the swiftlets population and thus needs many of the pressures on the environment that further studies. threaten the survival of the birds, their habitats and biodiversity will also have adverse effects e. Unregulated collection on local communities dependent on them. There is no definite conservation action Unsustainable use of natural resources can that needs to be complied as a condition of the deepen poverty as essential resources are lease contract. Specifically, a black and white exhausted and services and functions of natural provision on the observance of a close ecosystems are destroyed or diminished. harvesting season has not been mentioned. Such is the case of the edible–nest Though the concessionaires are required to swiftlets in which the impending threat of submit a monthly collection report to the LGU system collapse is not far in the future should and the PCSD, this has not been complied and the current harvesting pattern is not addressed. monitored by both government agencies. There is a need, therefore, to prioritize the f. Lax implementation of government policies conservation of the swiftlets and sustainable and regulations on cave and cave resources harvest of their nests. The valuable resource of conservation the edible birds’ nests therefore, cannot be managed sustainably in an environment of In spite of the allocation of a portion of greed and neglect. Recognizing this premise, government income from cave concessions, the the following recommendations are herein local government units have not initiated any presented as conservation options:

Management and Governance volume. Gatherers, to be able to meet the The goal of management should be to contracted amount, will be forced to collect ensure the conservation of swiftlets and that nest at every opportunity to compensate for the nest harvest is sustainable. Annual recruitment financial obligations to the government, and at of cave populations is necessary to achieve the same time earn a profit. sustainability, and that each pair should be able 3. Imposition of an Open and Close to produce at the least, one brood fledging per Collection Season with strict collection year at the optimal season. schedule 1. Extended contract leases A collection season will allow the birds Consideration should be given, for the sufficient time to complete the breeding granting of clearly defined, long-term cycle and maximize clutch development. A rights e.g. minimum of five (5) years to collection calendar is herein presented in Table concessionaires. Short-term renewal of lease for 2 for this purpose. The close season is there- collection contracts will only drive the fore proposed to commence every last week of concessionaires to harvest as many as possible April until third week of December. The birds to maximize profit within the short life span of may produce up to a maximum of three (3) the contract and when there is no possibility or clutches with a minimum of 2.6 months assurance of obtaining future lease contracts, requirement for incubation and fledging, and there is no incentive for conservation. additional weeks for mating and egg laying at which all stages utilize the nest. Collection 2. Review of basis for LGU prescribed bid timing is recommended to a maximum of three award (3) harvests at four (4) weeks interval. This The opening bid amount should be is to allow the birds to complete the average reviewed and be able to provide sound 35 days to complete building a full cup nest justification for its prescription. Production without much pressure to rebuild a new one records could provide useful information in every time an uncompleted nest is taken. determining the trend of species population and

Table 2. Recommended EBN Harvesting Calendar for Taytay and El Nido (2014) Table 2. Recommended Edible Bird's Nest Harvesting Calendar for Taytay and El Nido, 2014 January February March April May June July August September October November December Activities w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w4w3w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4 w1 w2 w3 w4

"Unang Suot"/ First Harvest "Pangalaw ang Suot" / 2nd Harvest "Pangatlo ng Suot" / 3rd Harvest Close Season Limpiada OPEN SEASON December 4th week to April 4th week with three (3) prescribed collections CLOSE SEASON April 4th week to December 3rd week

Species Management Administration 1. Monitoring of cave populations 1. The Bureau of Customs or the Department of Trade data or number of nesting Trade and Industry and other relevant harvests gives minimum estimates of total government agency maintaining trade statistics population size. Population estimates will should strictly monitor international trade to provide management of monitoring secure data that may be used as inputs for information leading to appropriate intervention. management interventions. Once a stable population can be established as 2. The PCSD as the mandated agency for the a result of monitoring and sustainable harvests, implementation of Wildlife Act should be the other options such as venturing into birds nest lead agency for administering legislation, farming can be explored. Nest farming controlling the harvest and trade regulation of captures existing bird population, providing the edible birds nest to be assisted by the LGUs. alternative breeding areas through luring by To this effect, the existing MOA between the bird calls. Venturing into these initiatives LGUs and PCSD crafted in 2005 should be without ensuring a stable population will just revisited to ensure compliance. lure the same bird population to migrate into commercial bird houses. 3. The PCSD should start the process of the declaration of the species as Economically 2. Protection of the foraging habitats Important to conform to the provisions of RA Strict protection of adjacent forest 9147 on the issuance of collection and trade areas vegetation is desirable to ensure available permit. A thorough inventory and evaluation of food source for the birds owing to a richer edible birds nest concessionaires, collectors, source of aerial insects in the forest (Hobbs, buyer and traders should be made and to impose 2003). This may also be related to the the “no wildlife permit, no operation” observed population decline due to birds scheme. feeding from agriculture areas loaded with 4. Standardize nest classification should be pesticides in the absence of contiguous crafted alongside with price regulation along the vegetation. market chain to ensure distribution of equal 3. Inclusion of the species in CITES benefits especially for the marginalized nest Appendix II for trade regulation collectors. The PCSD as the CITES Management Industry Authority of the Philippines for Palawan may An organized group of EBN industry revive the 1994 proposal for the species’ players in each municipality must be created to inclusion to CITES Appendix II. Species under constitute a unified representation of the EBN CITES II are provided with trade quota and gatherers, concessionaires, buyers and traders. requires source certification that the species The same group will represent an organized was collected in a sustainable manner entity in dealing with the government that non-detrimental to its survival. Further, illegal issues applicable harvesting regulation trade may be lessened if not totally curtailed instrument and which will police themselves. with the assistance of other CITES The organized group may be affiliated with member countries. other regional and international organizations of 4. Added Value for Nest Post Harvests nest producers to be able to share knowledge on good practices and product handling among The birds’ nest industry should others. collaborate with government agencies and the academe to explore nest post-harvest Education and Awareness processing to include value added product The need to inform the community on intervention and ensuring product safety and the welfare and importance of the species at the quality considering that the product is intended moment is highly warranted. Conservation is for human consumption. This will also more effective and sustainable with the provide additional income for the community engagement of the government and the support and will elevate the participation of local gath- of local people. erers from nest collectors to product handler. Product certification should be explored to lessen the risk for product quality failure in the international market.

th ACKNOWLEDGMENT Conference document No. 45, 9 Conference of the Parties of the Convention on the International Trade of The author wishes to express her utmost Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna Fort gratitude to the following: Lauderdale (United States of America ), 7- PCSDS family: Office of the 18 November 1994. Executive Director, Director Lualhati E. Tabugon, the ECAN Policy and Research Hobbs, J.J. 2004. Problems in the harvest of Division – J. Pontillas, J. Fabello, R.Cruz, edible birds’ nests in Sarawak and Sabah, M.Dela Cruz and C.Jalover, R.Maximo of Malaysian Borneo. Biodiversity and Taytay and El Nido District Management Office; Conservation 13: 2209-2226. Office of the Mayor and Sangguniang Jordan, D. 2004. Globalisation and Bird's Nest Bayan of Taytay and El Nido; the concession- Soup. International Development Planning aires, gatherers and traders of Taytay and El Review, Volume 26, Number 1, Liverpool Nido; the Barangay officials of New Ibajay, University Press. Bebeladan and Maytigued; Langham, N. 2008. Breeding Biology of the Thesis committee Dr. Ramon Docto, Dr. Edible – Nest Swiftlet Aerodramus Ronald Edilberto Ona, Prof and Dean Sonia fuciphagus. School of Natural Resources, Banagua; and adviser Dr. Patrick University of the South Pacific, P.O. Box Regoniel. 1168, Suva, Fiji. Lim, E. 2011. Personal Communication with E. REFERENCES Lim, Edible Birds Nest Buyer/Trader. Poblacion, El Nido, Palawan. Anon. 2014. Benefits of consuming bird’s nest, a February 23, 2011. treasured health supplement. www.longchue birdsnest . com. Downloaded 28 July 2014. Manchi, S.S. and Sankaran, R. 2010. Foraging Habits and Habitat Use by Edible-nest and Birdlife International. 2014. Species Factsheet: Glossy Swiftlets in the Andaman Islands, Aerodramus fuciphagus. Downloaded from India. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology www.birdlife.org. Accessed on 27/07/2014. 122(2):259-272.2010. BirdLife International (2015) Species Maximo, R. 2011. Personal Communication Factsheet: Aerodramus fuciphagus. Down- with R. Maximo, District Management loaded from http://www.birdlife.org on Officer, Taytay-El Nido, Palawan. 31/05/2015. Recommended citation for fact- February 2011. sheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2015) IUCN Red List for birds. Moog, F. 2005. Edited by J.M Suttie and S.G. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on Reynolds and slightly modified by S.G. 31/05/2015. Reynolds in October 2006. Country Chantler, P., and Driessens, G. 2000. Swifts: a Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles. Food and Guide to the Swifts and Trees Swifts of the Agriculture Office, Regional Working Group World. Mountfield, East Sussex: Pica on Grazing and Feed Resources for Press. ISBN 1-873403-83-6. Southeast Asia. CITES. 1996. Doc. 10.50 (Rev.) Annex 1 Piper, R. 2007. Extraordinary Animals: An Resolution Conference. 9.15 Of the Encylopedia of Curious and Unusual Conference of the Parties. Conservation of Animals, Greenwood Press. Edible-nest Swiftlets of the Genus Republic Act 9147. 2001. An act providing tor Collocalia. the conservation and protection of wildlife Del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., and Sargatal, J. resources and their habitats, appropriating 1999.Handbook of the Birds of the World, funds therefore and for other purposes. vol. 5: Barn-owls to Hummingbirds. Lynx Sheshnarayan, M. S. 2009. Breeding Ecology Edicions, Barcelona, Spain. of the Edible-nest Swiftlet Aerodramus fu- Encyclopedia of Life (EOL). 2014. Crisis is an ciphagus and the Glossy Swiftlet Collocalia opportunity. http:// esculenta in the Andaman Islands, India. www.swiftletecopark.com.my/ Ph.D. thesis, Bharathiar University, Coim- knowledge_articles_crisis.htm.Aerodramus batore for the Degree of Doctor of Philoso- Cave Swiftlets. phy in Zoology. Sálim Ali Centre for Orni- Government of Italy. 1994. Proposal for the thology and Natural History Coimbatore inclusion of Collocalia spp. in CITES. 641 108.