General Assessment of Site:
Cursory assessment of the existing resources in the area revealed that although mahogany trees dominate the population of indigenous tree species (bamboo, madre de cacao, Ipil-ipil, etc.), about 50 mango trees (30 of which are fruit bearing), several coconut, siniguelas, santol, banana, camachile, cacao, and coffee trees are also prominent. These are very positive externalities linked with the acquisition of the camp. At their harvestable age alone, the mahogany trees with an estimated population of at least 4,000 and priced at P10,000 per tree, the monetary equivalent is P40,000,000. Even with a conservative shadow price of 0.25 of the gross tree value, this easily translates to a significant pecuniary amount of P10,000,000. If the implicit value of standing fruit trees is included, this will result in a marginal amount of P200,000. Hence, it can be imputed that the acquisition price of P2,400,000 pales in comparison with the actual market value of the property.
The presence of shallow water table in the upper agricultural portion of the area augurs well towards meeting the future domestic and irrigation water need at the campsite throughout the year. The observed two shallow wells had plenty of water even during the dry season peak. Obviously, the presence of mahogany and indigenous tree species along the surrounding hillsides is seen as big contributor to the gradual release of water while mitigating the otherwise serious soil erosion that could occur in the watershed area during the rainy months.