Role of Barangay Garden Plants during COVID-19 General Community Quarantine in Baguio City, Philippines

Abstract

Background: Initiatives on gardening and the use of garden plants in barangays were observed especially during the declaration of community quarantine and lockdown in Baguio City, Philippines due to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. This study primarily aimed to determine the types of plants (vegetable, ornamental, medicinal, and fruit-bearing), frequency of occurrence, parts used, benefits and importance based on use-categories (as raw food, processed or preserved food, forage, condiment or ingredient, decoration, offertory, medicinal).  

Methods: Descriptive research design and method were utilized. The collection of data was done through an online survey and interview of key informants per barangay from February to April 2021. Descriptive statistics were applied to the data gathered. Ethnobotanical indices such as use value, informant consensus factor and relative frequency of citation were calculated.

Results: A total of 178 plant species were found belonging to 62 families. Vegetables are the most widely cultivated plants. The plants provide many benefits such as economic enterprise, food security, help in saving money, and improved health among others. Tomato is the most common food plant eaten raw, used as a condiment or ingredient and processed or preserved. Meanwhile, ‘sayote’ as forage for animals, strawberry for offerings, orchid tree for decoration. Oregano was utilized as medicine to treat cough and sore throat which are common symptoms of COVID-19.

Conclusions: Overall, the different kinds of vegetable, fruit-bearing, and medicinal plants found in the different barangays are essential and helpful in the community during the pandemic.

Keywords: barangay garden, use value, garden plant, community quarantine, new normal