People and Culture

The PPSRNP has a population of 3,829 individuals including around 400 members of the indigenous People. The surrounding areas of the Park are ancestral domains of the Batak and Tagbanua, two of the seven cultural groups of Palawan. Majority of the people speak Pilipino and the local dialect Cuyunon, other dialects spoken include Tagbanua, Ilocano, Cebuano and Ilongo. Most household in the PPSRNP earn their living from farming except in Sabang and Coastal areas of Marufinas, where many household depend on fishing and tourism. Indigenous People are traditionally engaged in gathering of minor forest products such as rattan (Calamus sp.)poles, almaciga(Agathis philippinensis) resin, and wild honey as the main source of income. They are also involved in upland farming and resort to hunting game to add to their food requirements