Ecotourism in the Philippines

The first serious effort to come up with a definition of ecotourism in the Philippine context was on
December 1994 when the Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and
Development (PCARRD), the DOT and the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) jointly sponsored
a tourism symposium workshop, solely for this purpose. It defined ecotourism as ‘an environmentally sound
tourism activity, sustainably implemented in a given ecosystem yielding socio-economic benefits and
enhancing natural and cultural diversity conservation.’

This definition was enhanced by a government circular entitled “Guide Laws for Ecotourism
Development” in the Philippines and signed in June 1998. It changed the 1994 definition to "a low-impact,
environmentally-sound and community-participatory tourism activity in a given natural environment that
enhances the conservation of biophysical understanding and education and yields socio-economic benefits to
the concerned community

To provide the legislative backbone, a Senate Bill was filed to provide for a national ecotourism
policy, establishing a framework for its institutionalisation and its implementation. However, in June 1997,
to fast track the process of evolving a national policy, President Estrada provided a significant boost to the
country’s ecotourism program with the issuance of Executive Order No. 111.

Guidelines for Ecotourism

1. Establishment of the National Ecotourism Development Council.

This council serves as the policy-making body for ecotourism and is chaired by DOT and co-
chaired by the DENR.

2. Establishment of the National Ecotourism Steering Committee (NESC) and Regional

Ecotourism Committees (REC).
The REC will assist the NESC in effectively implementing the programs and activities
approved by the Council.

3. Identification of the Functions and Responsibilities of Ecotourism Committees.

Among these are the formulation of policies, guidelines and programs relevant to the
development and promotion of ecotourism; and devising an accreditation and incentives mechanism
for ecotourism projects.

4. Formulation of a National Ecotourism Strategy.

This is an integrated management plan to provide a comprehensive direction for ecotourism
in the country, recognising issues and problems for sustainable development and to recommend
feasible approaches in addressing these issues.

5. Development of National Ecotourism Programs.

These involve:

 development, management and protection of identified ecotourism sites;

 product enhancement and development; environmental education and
 information campaigns; and support programs for community stewardship and
livelihood development

In support of this order, in November 1999, the DOT held the 1st.National Ecotourism Congress in
Tagbilaran, Bohol. At this meeting, various stakeholders agreed to develop a national policy on ecotourism,
as well as a strategy to bring more foreign tourists in the country.

The meeting called for:

 dissemination of information on the concepts, strategies, principles, trends and practices
with regard to ecotourism;
 enhancing awareness on ecotourism planning and development, promotions and
marketing,
as well as, financing and investment;
 promoting partnerships in ecotourism between
the public and private sectors, local government units and the community; and
 recognising models and best practices in community-based ecotourism.
 The national tourism policy adopted by the Congress stressed that ‘the State shall pursue, promote,
manage and develop ecotourism anchored on sustainable development through environmental management
and education, community empowerment, cultural enrichment and entrepreneurship to improve the quality of
life for present and future generations.’

Strategies adopted for full development of ecotourism in the country include:

 establishment of a database for marketing, and product and destination development;
 conduct of human resources development programs for tour guides and others
requiring specialised skills;
 implementation of advocacy, information, education and communication programs;
 development of incentives and an accreditation system;
 formation of multi-sectoral working groups committed to spearhead the planning
and monitoring of various initiatives; and
 standardisation of systems and procedures.

At the November 1999 meeting, the DOT committed to formulate a national ecotourism plan,
supported by necessary legislation, both at the local and national levels, to achieve:
 concrete action towards developing a system that will facilitate active involvement
of major stakeholders;
 voluntary initiatives;
 poverty alleviation;
 self-regulation against abusive and exploitative forms of tourism.
 growth of small and medium scale enterprises

The Philippines is cognizant of the profound impact of human activities on all components of the
natural environment, particularly the effect of increasing population, resource exploitation and industrial
advancement. It also recognises the critical importance of protecting and maintaining the natural, biological
and physical diversity of the environment, notably in areas with biologically unique features, to sustain
human life and development, as well as plant and animal life. The government seeks to secure, for the
present and future Filipino generations, the perpetual existence of all native plants and animals through the
establishment of a comprehensive system of integrated protected areas, within the classification of a National
Park, as provided for in the Philippine Constitution.

The government established a National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) to

encompass outstandingly remarkable areas and biologically important public lands that are habitats of rare
and endangered species of plants and animals, biogeographic zones and related ecosystems, whether
terrestrial, wetland or marine.

The Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau ,an Agency of the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources, formulates policies, rules and regulations relative to the establishment and administration of the
NIPAS, and the management of other biologically important components of the environment such as
ecosystems, species and genetic resources. In addition, the Bureau monitors and coordinates the planning and
implementation of the country's various programs and projects on biodiversity, as well as provides technical
assistance to its regional offices.

Under Republic Act No. 7586 which established the NIPAS, a protected area refers to “the identified
portions of land and water set aside by reason of their unique physical and biological significance, managed
to enhance biological diversity and protected against destructive human exploitation.”

The law also identifies the categories of protected areas.

Protected Areas

Strict Nature Reserve. This is an area possessing some outstanding ecosystem, features and/or species of
flora and fauna of national scientific importance. This area is maintained to protect nature in an undisturbed
state in order to have ecologically representative examples of the natural environment available for scientific
study, environmental monitoring, education, and for the maintenance of genetic resources in a dynamic and
evolutionary state.
Natural Park. Refers to a forest reservation, essentially of natural wilderness character, that has been
withdrawn from settlement, occupancy or any form of exploitation, except in conformity with an approved
management plan, and set aside as such, exclusively to conserve the area or preserve the scenery, the natural
and historic objects, wild animals and plants therein, and to provide enjoyment of these features.

Natural Monument. A relatively small area focused on protection of its features, to protect or preserve
nationally significant natural features on account of their special interest or unique characteristics.

Wildlife Sanctuary. Comprises an area that assures the natural conditions necessary to protect nationally
significant species, groups of species, biotic communities or physical features of the environment where
these may require specific human manipulation for their perpetuation.

Protected Landscapes and Seascapes. These are areas of national significance which are characterised by
the harmonious interaction of humans and land while providing opportunities for public enjoyment through
recreation and tourism, within the normal lifestyle and economic activity in these areas.

Resource Reserve. An extensive and relatively isolated and uninhabited area normally with difficult access,
designated as such to protect natural resources of the area for future use and prevent or contain development
activities that could affect the resource, pending the establishment of objectives which are based upon
appropriate knowledge and planning.

Natural Biotic Areas. A natural biotic area is an area set aside to allow the way of life of societies, living in
harmony with the environment, to adapt to modern technology, at their pace.

Other Categories: Established by law, conventions or international agreements where the Philippine
Government is a signatory.

Foreign-assisted Projects

The Conservation of Priority Protected Areas Project (CCPAP) aims to implement the provisions of the
NIPAS Act by focusing on the 10 priority sites as identified in the Integrated Protected Areas System I
Project.

The NGO for IPAS, Inc. (NIPA) is the direct recipient of the World Bank – Global Environment Facility
grant covering technical and livelihood components of the project. The implementing agencies of the project
are DENR through the NIPAS Policy and Program Steering Committee and the IPAF Governing Board,
both of which are inter-agency bodies.

EU-National Integrated Protected Areas Program. The primary objective of the project is to help protect,
conserve and manage tropical forest biodiversity areas with endangered endemic species in eight of the
country’s protected areas. The project is funded by an EU grant for the establishment of the eight protected
areas, community-based resource uses, resources management and protection, information and education
and, lastly, the administration of the areas.

Philippine Biodiversity Country Study. This project aims to review and assess the status of the country’s
biodiversity and to formulate the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. This is a project funded by
the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

Apart from these, there are also a number of locally assisted, special projects aimed to complement the
foreign-assisted programs

Local Projects

Philippine Raptors Conservation Program.

Formerly known as the Philippine Eagle Project, this aims to propagate the Philippine Eagle and
other endangered Philippine avifaunal species in captivity at the Centre for Philippine Raptors, Makiling
Botanical Garden, University of the Philippines, in Laguna; to conduct scientific research; to restore known
habitats; to monitor and protect wild populations of raptors in partnership with the local people; to provide
extensive education and information campaigns for the protection of eagles and other avifaunal species; and
to develop local expertise in raptor conservation and management.

Tamaraw Conservation Program.

 This project serves the conservation and protection of the Tamaraw (Bubalus mindorensis).
Activities include resource and habitat protection, maintenance of the gene pool at San Jose, Occidental
Mindoro, population studies and habitat surveys, restoration of denuded habitats, information and education
campaigns and community development.

Crocodile Farming Institute.

The Crocodile Farming Institute project aims to conserve the two species of crocodiles found in the
country, the freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) and the saltwater crocodile

(Crocodylus porosus); to generate breeding technologies for the propagation of these species in
captivity; and to transfer these technologies to local communities.

Calauit Game Preserve and Bird Sanctuary Project.

This project aims to maintain Calauit Island Game Preserve and Wildlife Sanctuary as a centre for
nature conservation, propagation and conduct of studies on the biology and ecology of Philippine endemic
species and translocated African wildlife species. Since 1995, the project is being implemented by the
Palawan Council for Sustainable Development under a Memorandum of Agreement with the DENR.

Pawikan Conservation Program.

This project aims to propagate and conserve economically important marine turtles. It is also
concerned with the development and implementation of conservation and protection policies, management
and propagation schemes, and a massive information and education program to ensure the survival and
growth of marine turtles.

Caves Management and Conservation Program.

The project aims to conserve the cave resources of the country as part of the National Integrated
Protected Areas System.

Dalaw Turo Outreach Program.

This aims to explore and pursue a conservation education scheme through a non-traditional teaching
approach on the conservation and protection of biodiversity.
Ecotourist

Ecotourists may differ greatly in several aspects, including:

 distance travelled;
 length of stay;
 desired level of physical effort and comfort;
 importance of nature in trip motivation;
 level of learning desired;
 amount of spending;
 desired activities; and
 personal demographics.

Typology of nature/ecotourism types

 Hard-core: scientific researchers or members of tours specifically designed for education,

environmental restoration, or similar purposes.

 Dedicated: people who take trips specifically to see protected areas and who want to understand
local natural and cultural history.

 Mainstream: people who visit the Amazon, the Rwandan gorilla park, or other such destinations
primarily to take an unusual trip.

 Casual: people who partake of nature incidentally, such as through a day trip during a broader
vacation.

Actors in the Ecotourism "System"

Ecotourism often involves numerous actors, including:

 Visitors;

 Natural areas and their managers, including both public and private areas;

 Communities;

 Businesses, including various combinations of local businesses, in-bound operators, outbound

operators, hotel and other accommodation providers, restaurants and other food providers, and so
on;

 Government, in addition to its role as a natural area manager; and

 Non-governmental organizations, such as environmental and rural development NGOs.