Download Coastal and Mangrove Eco-Tourism in Catanduanes Island

International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
Coastal and Mangrove Eco-Tourism in
Catanduanes Island (Philippines): A Menace or
a Bonus?
Minerva I. Morales1, Jimmy T. Masagca2, Aurora E. Araojo3, and Sonia R. Vargas4

quality of life of its citizenry. Supportive to this state policy,
different ministries/agencies, higher education institutions
(HEIs) like the Catanduanes State University (CSU) in
Catanduanes
island
(Bicol
Region,
Luzon);
and
regional/international organizations, like the Southeast Asian
Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in
Agriculture (SEARCA) based in Los Baños, Laguna, have
been giving attention for the growth and promotion of a
tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, participative,
culturally sensitive, economically viable and ethically and
socially equitable for local communities. Eco-tourism program
in the country is directed for the conservation and sustainable
use of natural resources in protected areas (e.g. mangroves),
so that the necessity of understanding the potential and
enhancing coastal eco-tourism (ECT) quality in the Philippine
islands is of vital importance.
In line with sustainable development and expanding
economic opportunities, inquiries on sustainable and
community-based tourism have been numerous [1,2,3].
Worldwide, the number of international arrivals has shown a
steady increase. By 2020, there will be 350 million tourists
visiting the Mediterranean coastal region [4,6]. European
holiday takers prefer seaside areas [5,6]. In the Southeast
Asian (SEA) countries of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore,
Thailand, Vietnam, including the Philippines there have been
increases in tourists preferring the marine coastal regions. A
substantial growth in coastal eco-tourism is observed as
tourists demanded access to wildlife as in non-destructive
fashion as possible [6].
The Philippines has been recognized as having one of the
world‘s mega-diversity centers for terrestrial and marine flora
and fauna [7]. It lies at the center of marine biological
diversity in the world. However, the marine resources and the
mangroves are being destroyed, and the total mangrove area
has decreased by almost half from 500,000 ha in 1918 [8,9]. A
major driving force of mangrove forest loss is the rapid
expansion of aquaculture development [10, 11,12,13,14].
With the concept of eco-tourism, these problems on coastal
vegetation degradation may be addressed. In Catanduanes
island (Bicol Region, Luzon, Philippines, the remaining areal
coverage of mangroves is about 1,671.3 ha [15,16] about
0.65% of the total areal extent in the country. This must be
conserved for ecological and economic reasons particularly for
tourism in mitigating climate change. In line to this, coastal
areas and mangroves have to be dealt with great concern for
Abstract—Coastal and mangrove eco-tourism in Catanduanes
island in Luzon, Philippines (Lat 13.67°, Long 124.12°) is possible
along the eastern, western and southern coasts. Yet, when it comes to
developing coastal eco-tourism (ECT), the coastal areas that are
mainly being considered happens to be Igang-Marilima-Magnesia
(Virac); Bon-ot – Agojo–Manambrag-Codon (San Andres); BatalayBote (Bato); Puraran (Baras), and so on. Catanduanes Island for that
matter is closer to the cities of Tabaco, Legaspi, Iriga, Naga and
Masbate; and the Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur has good
coastlines with great potential for coastal ECT. Igang to Magnesia del
Sur (MAGSUR) and nearby villages; and Puraran flaunt sea beaches
with appreciable marine biodiversity, but appear to be of less easy
access with the kind of roads available and the frequency of transport
for the local and foreign tourists. In view of this, ECT has to gain
momentum in these areas. Some beaches have already established
themselves as popular tourist spots especially for weekend picnics
and national/international surfing competitions. There are many
nearby beaches and sea shores which have exotic marine flora
(marine macro-algae) and fauna (variety of gastropods, bivalves,
corals, sponges, etc.). Excessive tourism can pose a menace to these
forms. Thus, there is a need to enhance ECT and still to be vigilant
about the sustenance of marine life surrounding the island. Regulated
tourism (ecotourism) can serve both the purposes. Economic status of
the villagers should be elevated, at the same time and serious threat to
marine life should be avoided. Finally, the paper ends with a
discussion on the Science Meeting Agric-Eco (SAGE) Tourism in
support for the annual Philippine National Biodiversity Meeting
(BIOME) and the BIOISLANDCULTURES 2014 (Biodiversity,
Islands, Culture and Society).
Keywords— Eco-tourism (ECT), coastal areas, mangroves,
Catanduanes, Philippines, biodiversity.
I. INTRODUCTION
The Philippines in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region
recognizes sustainable tourism development as integral to the
national socio-economic development efforts to improve the
1
Professor VI, Graduate School & University President, Catanduanes State
University, Virac 4800, Catanduanes, PHILIPPINES
2
Associate Professor I, Natural Science Department, College of Arts &
Sciences, Catanduanes State University, Virac 4800, Catanduanes,
PHILIPPINES & Recipient, 2014 SEARCA Travel Award
[email protected]
3
Professor III, College of Arts and Sciences & Vice President, Catanduanes
State University, Virac 4800, Catanduanes, PHILIPPINES
4
Associate Professor V, Mathematics Department, Catanduanes State
University, Virac 4800, Catanduanes, PHILIPPINES
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
42
International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
businessmen/investors, academics and other individuals
involved in the tourism industry were also included to
complete the target number for the elicitation of answers on
impacts on coastal and mangroves tourism.
ECT development. Interest in ecotourism can contribute to
local economies and the demands of eco-tourism can create
problems in the natural environment, but by establishing
tourism parks and applying efficient management practices in
these areas biodiversity can be protected whilst attracting more
tourists [6]. Thus, this paper discusses the great potentials of
eco-tourism in the coastal and mangroves of Catanduanes
within the context of responsible ECT towards sustainable
development.
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A. Coastal and mangrove areas of Catanduanes Island
for Eco-Tourism (ECT)
Based on the satellite imageries, almost all zones of the
island have potentials for ECT except for the municipality of
San Miguel (in upland areas). Table 1 shows the island zones
with the coastal areas having potentials for ECT using
international and criteria and experience. When it comes to
developing coastal and mangrove ECT the areas that are
mainly being considered happens to be Igang-MarilimaMagnesia-in Virac; Bon-ot – Agojo – Manambrag- Codon in
San Andres; Batalay-Bote (Bato); Puraran in Baras; Loran in
Bagamanoc; Panay in Panganiban, and so on. These coasts are
nearer to the provinces of Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon
(ALMASOR). Catanduanes island for that matter is closer to
the cities of Tabaco, Legaspi, Iriga, Naga and Masbate; and
the Caramoan Peninsula in Camarines Sur-Camarines Norte
(Triple C, to include Catanduanes) have good coastlines with
great potential for coastal ECT. The listing of the Department
of Tourism (DOT) TDAs (Tourism Development Areas)
includes ALMASOR (Albay, Masbate and Sorsogon) and
Triple C tourism connections or destinations (Catanduanes,
Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte) [20]. These areas are
currently included in the eco-tourism promotion for
synchronization and connectivity. The Triple C is now being
finalized that will include the operational sub-connection of
Caramoan-Catanduanes Link which includes the Codon port.
The mangrove eco-tourism park being developed at the Agoho
Point in San Andres is being suggested for inclusion in the link
previously introduced by the organizers/conveners of the first
and only annual national scientific meeting of the Catanduanes
Island called BIOME. The coastal village of Igang and nearby
areas in the capital municipality of Virac flaunt sea beaches
with appreciable marine biodiversity, but appears to be of less
easy access with the kind of roads available and the frequency
of transport for the local and foreign tourists . In view of this,
ECT has to gain momentum in these areas. Some beaches like
Puraran in the municipality of Baras have already established
themselves as popular tourist spots especially for weekend
picnics and national/international surfing competitions. As
planned, Triple C (with Catanduanes) could be synchronized
with surfing and other water sports activities in Puraran Beach
in Baras, Catanduanes, with the wakeboarding
at the
Camarines Sur Waster sports Complex (CWC) and another
surfing off the Bagasbas Beach in Camarines Norte [20]
(adjacent to Catanduanes island).
II. METHODOLOGY
A. Identification of the eco-tourism locations with satellite
imageries and topographic maps
Satellite imageries from the Philippine National Mapping
(NAMRIA) and Google Maps were used in identifying the
locations, limits, shorelines and water approach to the land
where human coastal dwelling units are located. In describing
the potential eco-tourism sites of the island, 6 ecological
divisions of Catanduanes [15] was applied and analysis was
carried out in understanding tourism links/connection with the
rest of the Bicol region provinces based on 78 tourism
development areas (TDAs) of the National Tourism
Development Plan (NTDP). Moreover, additional areas
identified in the island were compared to international criteria
and experience in Sundarbans mangroves [6].
B. Secondary data from previous studies/reports
The secondary materials from this paper were culled from
various published and unpublished works of the authors
[10,14,15,16,17,18] and a paper on climate impacts on coastal
and mangrove communities for the Third (2015) International
Symposium on the Effects of Climate Change in the World
Oceans [19]. Documentary materials were gathered from the
Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) reports, websites
and newspaper news and feature articles.
C. Tourist counting and Interviews
For the purpose of this paper interviewees among domestic
tourists and stakeholders of community-based MPAs were
enquired on their perspectives on the effects of ECT and what
actions can give menace to ECT in the rural coastal, MPAs
(reserves), fish sanctuaries and the beaches of tourist
destinations in the island. To complete the number of
respondents, residents in two coastal nature reserves (Agojo,
San Andres and Marilima-Magnesia-Batag (Virac) were used
for data sampling. Visitor counting estimates for the two beach
resorts as popular destinations (Twin Rocks and Puraran
Resort) were done weekly. Interviews were done from October
to December in 2013 by students enrolled in Aquatic Biology
and hired research assistants/enumerators in other funded
programs of CSU (CSTIFDP, CIRDEP and PNAP); and from
January to March, 2014 but extended to April, 2014 due to the
Holy Week–Easter Sunday tourists (during a Philippine long
vacation weekend ―economics of holiday‖ strategy) who were
among 1,000 island-based and external (local and
international)
tourists.
Local
government
officials,
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
TABLE I
COASTAL AND MANGROVE ECO-TOURISM IN CATANDUANES ISLAND
Coastal Areas
Zone
Name of
Municipality &
No.
Tourism Sites
a
Zone
43
Barangay
International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
Zone
No.
Municipality &
Barangaya
Tourism Sites
I
Northern
Pandan (Canlubi,
Palumbanes)
Dinahit Festival,
Parungpong island
II
Northwester
n
Caramoran
Coastal & Mangroves
Northeastern
Panganiban, Viga,
Bagamanoc
Coastal & Mangroves
IV
Southern
Virac (Igang,
Balete, Marilima,
Batag, Magnesia)
V
Southeastern
VI
Southwester
n
III
beach resorts ranging from 30% to 35% of those who have
total reservations from March to April of 2014 (actual
occupancy of the reserved accommodations are expected to be
lower due to cancellations).
Perspectives of 1,000 tourists (local and foreign) including
stakeholders and beach operators/personnel on the reasons or
activities that (i) could affect eco-tourism, (ii) can be affected,
and (iii) can damage coastal and mangroves when eco-tourism
will be developed or be fully-operational in the different
ecological divisions or zones of the island province (see Table
1) were solicited from January to April 2014. From the
different responses, the following are the top 10 most frequent
responses: (1) construction of infrastructure to support tourism
activities tops among the menace, this is followed by (2)
unplanned and illegal construction of facilities for the opening
of new beach resorts, cottages/buildings and pools, (3) new
roads, bridges and other civil works in the coastal areas which
are directly or indirectly connected to tourism development,
(4) that uncontrolled collection, extraction and uprooting of
plant materials of local tourists for business-use or for
commercial purposes, (5) surfing and diving session and
expeditions could harm the unique flora and fauna in the
continental shelf of which are actually excessively used by
divers, boating operators and surfers for navigation and as
―parking‖ or docking zones of boats, (6) threats to the local
morality of coastal and mangrove eco-tourism will be
camouflaged by ―sex-tourism‖ sometimes hidden under the
group tourism approach, (7) pressures on supporting industries
on food production and supply for the tourists that will
eventually abandon other food producing industries for the
local people; (8) graft and corruption can affect the
implementation of eco-tourism programs; (9) typhoons and
other natural calamities can hamper the implementation of ecotourism; and (10) the increase of local prices of food
commodities needed by the local people for daily
consumption.
Coastal Areas
Name of
Zone
Baras (Puraran,
Bato (San Roque)
San Andres
(Agojo,
Catagbakan)
Twin Rock Beach
Resort in Igang,
Marine Protected
Areas and University
Mangrove Eco-Park
Puraran Beach Resort,
Minabalay Island
Agojo Point Marine
Reserve and Fish
Sanctuary
(a) Known as Barangay (basic political unit in the Philippines)
B. Biodiversity status in the coastal and mangrove areas
Tropical countries such as Philippines and other SEA
countries look at mangrove vegetation in muddy swamps and
estuarine areas (also classified as wetlands) as another
opportunity to develop ecotourism in their respective
countries. There are many nearby beaches and sea shores
which have exotic marine flora (marine macro-algae) and
fauna (variety of gastropods, bivalves, corals, sponges, etc.).
Previous studies mangroves, mollusks, MPAs and other papers
on biodiversity are yet to be compiled in a publication about
the rich flora and fauna of Catanduanes including birds and
reptiles.
C. Threats of developing eco-tourism of coastal and
mangrove areas in Catanduanes
Excessive tourism can pose a menace to these floral and
faunal forms, which are usually collected by local tourists who
frequent these coastal and mangrove areas of Catanduanes.
The threats to coastal and mangrove areas in the island will
depend on the volume of tourists visiting these tourist
destinations of the island aside from other developmental and
urbanization ventures. Tourist counting exercises were carried
out in two seaports (Virac and San Andres), the Virac
Domestic Airport; and two (2) tourist destinations, Puraran
Beach in Baras (Zone V) and Twin Rock Beach Resort in
Igang, Virac (Zone IV). Tourist counting data covering
October to December 2013 resulted to the accumulation of an
unofficial number 4,489 tourist counts; and January to April
2014 with 7,876 counts, for a total of 12,365 tourists counted
by research assistants/enumerators, volunteers and students,
wherein 17% or 2,012 are foreign tourists (for a period of 7
months), 83% or 10,353 are local tourists composed of those
living within the island province (professionals, students, etc)
and outside the island (professionals, government officials,
vacationists, including attendees of the regional sports
competition in February in 2014. Out of the 83% an estimated
12% or 1,242 counted tourists are staying and working within
Manila and the rest are the relatives or siblings of the
foreigners. If these percentages (17% and 12%) are to be
added as foreign tourists, there will be a total of 29%. This per
cent is close to the proportion of foreign reservations in two
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
D. A Green university in the island and visions for
responsible eco-tourism
In the 5-Year (2014-2018) Strategic Development Plan of
CSU [21], the sub-goals on protecting island environment and
biodiversity; and the improving productivity and livelihood in
coastal and island communities necessitate the strategic
implementation eco-tourism development programs towards
sustainability. At present, a Multi-Species Fish Hatchery
Project with the mangrove-Ecotourism Park, with the
boardwalk for nature picnics, photography, bird watching and
other environmental education and introducing eco-tourism in
mangroves for children have been developed starting
December 2013 with the mangrove rehabilitation project.
Plans are now underway on the provisions for entrance fee
collection to subsidize the maintenance of the mangrove ecopark facilities. Moreover, the university has been working with
the stakeholders of Agojo Point Marine Reserve and Fish
Sanctuary (APMRFS) in San Andres, Catanduanes or its redevelopment by introducing marketing model in MPA
management. Likewise, the local government unit of the
municipality of Baras (Zone V) has been working with the
44
International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
As recommended in said study [17] pro-poor support programs
can include livelihood diversification (LD) scheme, income
generation and employment opportunities considering the
unique bio-economic and socio-economic circumstances in the
coastal communities. Diversified livelihood programs in the
coastal villages could include ECT in coastal and mangrove
areas to help boost local economies. Results of interviews
made among owners, managers and beach personnel in the
island expressed a very strong willingness of the local
government officials to be engaged in tourism ventures in their
villages but mostly are reluctant where to get their funding. If
willing, they must follow the South African experience in
tourism on Responsible Tourism Guidelines that call upon
private sector tourism businesses to ‗buy local‘ wherever,
quality, quantity and consistency permits [29]. Its major cities
are pursuing initiatives for expanding local food sourcing
procurement as part of their wider adoption of ‗green‘ or
‗responsible‘ business practices. On the academic or tourism
scholarship in the island, the need to analyze patterns of food
sourcing in coastal hotels, resorts and restaurants in support of
coastal and mangrove ecotourism. Within the ecotourism plan
of the island, pro-poor tourism and aquaculture or
aquasilviculture and mariculture food production must be
developed with the key tourism assets of the island province
that relate to traditional ―sea sun and sand‖ [30] forms of
ecotourism. Based on documentary analysis, the tourism
economy of Catanduanes coastal areas started from ecotourism
products derived from beach products and services for local
and domestic tourists. The island is now included in the
nation‘s TDA‘s leisure tourism destination with surfing and
diving. In recent years, and the rapidly increasing ecotourism
fashion, a major shift in the tourism market is now experienced
with the surfing, diving, sea bottom viewing and few marine
archaeological activities are becoming popular in the island .
The challenge to re-invent the local eco-tourism is now a
challenge and the local state university has to be a leader in
ecotourism scholarship that will have a good blend of coastal
and mangrove ecotourism, responsible eco-tourism with local
aquatic food products, and the pro-poor high impact poverty
alleviation ecotourism model in the island.
university in the implementation of MPA in Kalapadan Bay
and the design of mangrove planting activities. This
municipality has the internationally recognized tourist
destination (the Pacific Majestic Resort) for swimming,
snorkeling and surfing.
E. BIOME, BIOISLANDCULTURES Symposium I and
SAGE tourism
SAGE (Science-Agriculture & Ecological) tourism was
conceptualized during the annual BIOME in 2010 and the
upcoming BIOISLANDCULTURES Symposium I are
supporting initiatives to the development of coastal and
mangrove eco-tourism in this island. In 2010, when the 1st
BIOME [18,22] was held in the island gathered teachers,
researchers, scientists, environmentalists, local/national
government leaders, biodiversity experts, conservationists,
women, youth and students. In 2014, BIOME4 with
BIOISLANDCULTURES
Symposium
during
the
Catandungan Festival are to be held. SAGE Tourism
integrates agricultural eco-tourism with the scientific meeting
during a Biodiversity Consultative Meeting with local
government officials and the attendees of the scientific
meeting.
F. Poverty alleviation, pro-poor tourism and agriculturetourism linkage programs
The development of sustainable and responsible eco-tourism
in many parts of the Philippines is now in vogue. For instance,
in Calapan City in the island of Mindoro, Luzon) established
the Silonay Mangrove Conservation and Eco-tourism Park to
address both biodiversity and eco-tourism development [23].
However, questions about the whether these are for poverty
alleviation and pro-poor based are yet to be addressed.
The potential for synergistic relation between tourism and
agriculture has been widely recognized by development
planners, policy makers and academics [24]. Forging closer
linkages between local agriculture (we refer to aquasilviculture
in mangrove areas) and tourism is an ―important potential
mechanism through which to achieve pro-poor tourism
objectives‖ [25]. It was argued [26] that the ―food supply
chain to the tourist sector be an important source of pro-poor
impact‖. Investigations confirm the sourcing of local
agriculture products represents one of the key development
impacts the tourism sector can offer particularly in the
developing world [27, 28]. Aquaculture foods (as agricproducts), such as crabs, shrimps, tunas and mackerels are
important food for tourists. As such, from the existing
international experience in developing aquatic food stuffs from
these high valued food items can be focused in developing the
local aquasilviculture - tourism linkage within the coastal and
mangrove ecotourism program. A recent study [17] on propoor support programs in this island reveal that on livelihood,
only 20% of the households (HH) systemically sampled have
animal production (mostly chicken and swine) activities,
while a quarter (25%) of the HH had crop production. Very
scant
number
of
HHs
is
involved
in
aquaculture/aquasilviculture which can be enhanced by
diversifying livelihood in support of the eco-tourism industry.
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
IV. CONCLUSION
This paper identified coastal areas and mangroves in riverestuarine areas of eastern and western coasts of Catanduanes
island‘s strategic ecological tourism sites. Identification of the
sites was based on available satellite imagery and topographic
maps of the shoreline and estimates of the water approach into
the land where local peoples‘ coastal dwelling units are
located. Some beaches have already established themselves as
popular tourist spots especially for weekend/summer vacation
picnics, swimming, diving and national/international surfing
competitions. There are many nearby beaches and sea shores
which have exotic marine flora (marine macro-algae) and
fauna (variety of gastropods, bivalves, corals, sponges, etc.).
Excessive tourism can pose a menace to these forms and
different perspectives on developing coastal and mangrove
eco-tourism were known and also in support to pro-poor
45
International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0921-8009(00)00170-1
[15] J.T. Masagca ―Occurrence and distributional range of mangrove flora
in Catanduanes island, Philippines‖. BIOTROPIA- Southeast Asian J of
Tropical Biology 15(1):1–10 (2008)
[16] J.T. Masagca and M.T. Masagca ―Distributional range of mangroves in
Catanduanes Island, Philippines: inputs to biobelting and biosheltering
program for typhoons, tidal surges and tsunamis‖ Proc 2009 East
Asian Seas Congr. Held at PICC, Manila, Philippines, 27-30 November,
PEMSEA (2009).
[17] M.I. Morales, A.E. Araojo, J.T. Masagca, J.V. Cervantes, M.T.E.
Sarmiento & N.V. Santos 2013. Government support for pro-poor
programs in the province of Catanduanes, Philippines. Catanduanes
State University, Virac, Catanduanes, The Philippines. Unpublished
(2013).
[18] M.I. Morales, J.T. Masagca Morales, MI, Masagca JT and AE Araojo,
―Experiencing the ―West‖ in the ASEAN: Exploring and Linking the
Catanduanes State University with the Universities of the Region
Through the Q-Squared Approaches in ESA and Food Security‖. In:
Wayne Nelles, PhD (editor). Food Security, Education for Sustainable
Agriculture & Agrarian Reform for a Green ASEAN. Chulalongkorn
University Press (CUP), Bangkok, Thailand, (2014).
[19] J.T. Masagca and S.R. Vargas ―Climate change impacts on coastal
communities: perspectives from the coastal and mangrove eco-tourism
areas Catanduanes island, Philippines in the Kurushio region‖. Paper for
the Third International Symposium on the Climate Change Effects on
the World Oceans, Santos City, Brazil 23-27 March 2015.
[20] J. Escandor. ―Bicol tour offer: Almasor or Triple C‖. The Philippine
Daily Inquirer, Thursday, April 24, 2014.
[21] CSU ―5-Year (2014-2018) Strategic Development Plan of Catanduanes
State University (CSU)‖ Planning & Development Office, CSU/
[22] First Philippine Annual National Biodiversity Meeting (BIOME)
Journal Proceedings. J Biod Climate Sust Devt (JBCSD), vol. 1 no. 1.
(2010).
[23] Silonay Mangrove Conservation and Eco-tourism Park, Calapan City,
Mindoro. Business Mirror www.businessmirror.com.ph
[24] R. Torres and J. Momsen ―Introduction‖ In R. Torres, & J. Momsen
(Eds.), Tourism and agriculture: New geographies of production and
rural restructuring. pp. 1-9, London: Routledge (2011).
[25] R. Torres and J.H. Momsen ―Challenges and potential for linking
tourism and agriculture to achieve pro-poor tourism objectives‖.
Progress in Development Studies, vol. 4, pp. 294-318, (2004).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1191/1464993404ps092oa
[26] J. Mitchell and C. Ashley ―Can the private sector reduce poverty at
scale? evidence from the tourism value chain‖. In Commonwealth
Secretariat (Comp.). (Ed.), The commonwealth ministers reference book
pp. 1-4, London, (2009).
[27] D.A. König Linking agriculture to tourism in Sierra Leone e A
preliminary research. MA (Sustainable Tourism Management) thesis,
University of Applied Sciences of Eberswalde, Germany, (2007).
[28] M. Rueegg The impact of tourism on rural poverty through supply
chain linkages to local food producers in the Bolivian Altiplano. MSc
(Development Studies) dissertation, London School of Economics and
Political Science, (2009).
[29] A. Spenceley (Ed.) Responsible tourism: Critical issues for
conservation and development. London: Earthscan.
[30] M. Pillay and C.M. Rogerson ―Agriculture-tourism linkages and propoor impacts: the accommodation sector of urban coastal KwaZuluNatal, South Africa‖ App. Geog., vol. 36, pp. 49-58 (2013).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apgeog.2012.06.005
programs. Thus, there is a need to enhance eco-tourism and
still to be vigilant about the sustenance of marine life
surrounding the island. Regulated ecotourism can serve both
the purposes. Economic status of the poor villagers should be
elevated at the same time and serious threat to marine life
should be avoided through responsible eco-tourism.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
We thank SEARCA for awarding the Travel Fellowship to
J.T.M. and financial support of the finalization of this paper
goes to the CHED-BFAR PNAP program, Pro-poor Program
from CHED; CIRDEP; and CSTIFDP. We thank the
assistance of M.C.V. Tiu, R.T. Ibardaloza and A. Evangelista;
the research assistants/enumerators with the biology students
(Aquatic Biology) especially to Nediel Vaugh Masagca, John
Domhil Tayam, Leroy Acacio, Liezel Fernandez, Princess
Nazareno & Joselle Lopez are greatly appreciated. We give
thanks to Donna DB Salih & Kate G. De Leon for preparing
the final manuscript.
REFERENCES
[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]
[7]
[8]
[9]
[10]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
R. Bradecina, T. Shinbo and P. Nieves. Exploring local coastal
recreational tourism as a potential strategy to support changing
agriculture in the typhoon-prone island of San Miguel, Tabaco, Albay,
Bicol Region. Kurushio Science, vol. 7 no. 1, pp. 95-102 (2013).
B. Trejos and L.-H. N. Chiang ―Local economic linkages to
ccommunity-based tourism in rural Costa Rica‖. Singapore J Trop
Geogr, vol. 30, pp. 373-387 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9493.2009.00375.x
M. A. Salam, L.G. Ross and M/C/M. Beveridge ―Eco-tourism to protect
the reserve mangrove forest of the Sundarbans and its flora and fauna.
Anatolia, vol. 11 no. 1, p. 56-66, (2000).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13032917.2000.9686983
WTO. World Trade Organization. New York: Springer-Verlag, ch. 4.
(2004)
EC. European Union Report on Tourism. (1998)
A.D. Nouri, A. Danchkar and R. Sharifipour ―Evaluation of
ecotourism potential in the northern coastline of the Persian Gulf‖,
Environ Geol, vol. 55, pp. 681-686 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00254-007-1018-x
A.C. Alcala, L.E. Buot, A. Diesmos, M. Dolar, E.S. Fernando, J.C.
Gonzales and B. Tabaranza ―Philippine biodiversity: ecological roles,
uses and conservation. Trans Nat Acad Sci & Tech, Phils, vol. 28, no. 1,
pp. 5–6. (2006).
C.A. Villanoy. Bridges over troubled waters: connecting reef systems
with larval dispersal. Trans Nat Acad Sci & Tech, Phils, vol. 28, no. 1,
pp. 6–10, (2006).
J. Bruno and E. Selig. Regional decline of coral cover in the IndoPacific: timing, extent and sub-regional comparisons. PLOS One. 2007.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0000711
J.T. Masagca ―Science teachers and coastal dwellers‘ perceptions on
mangrove biodiversity conservation‖ (―Percepciones de los maestros
de ciencia y habitants costeros sobre conservacion de la biodiversidad
de manglar) J Sci Educ (Revista de Education en Ciencias) (2006).
M.S. Samson and R.N Rollon. Growth performance of planted
mangroves in the Philippines: revisiting forest management strategies.
AMBIO vol. XXXVII no. 4, pp. 234–240 (2008).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1579/0044-7447(2008)37[234:GPOPMI]2.0.CO;2
P.M. Zamora ―Mangroves of the Philippines‖. BIOTROP Spec Pub
(Bogor, Indonesia) 37:43–65 (1989).
J.H. Primavera and J.M.A. Esteban. A review of mangrove
rehabilitation in the Philippines: successes, failures and future
prospects. Wetl Ecol Mgt 16: 345–358 (2009).
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11273-008-9101-y
J.H. Primavera. ―Development and conservation of mangroves in the
Philippines‖. Ecol Econ 35:91-106 (2000).
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
Dr. M.I. Morales has degrees in fisheries,
aquaculture and educational management. She has
presented scientific papers, won scholarships and
awards in national and international research
competitions.
46
International Conference on Latest Trends in Food, Biological & Ecological Sciences (ICLTFBE’14) July 15-16, 2014 Phuket (Thailand)
Dr. J.T. Masagca is a biologist. He has
published 20+ papers in international refereed
journals, sits as editorial board member of
Elsevier Ocean & Coastal Management and a
member of IUCN-CEC.
Dr. A.E. Araojo has degrees in finance, business
administration and educational management; and
an Executive Research Management Course at
Development Academy of the Philippines.
Asso. Prof. S.R. Vargas has a master‘s degree
in physics teaching and had travelled to Nigeria,
Thailand. India (forum presentations) and in
Canada for a Study Mission on climate change
solutions programs,
http://dx.doi.org/10.17758/IAAST.A0714028
47