Ace pushes for eco-friendly tourism development

To further strengthen the protection and preservation of the ecological system in one of the country’s most sought-after destinations, the Department of Tourism recently embarked on a series of activities that aim to conserve the precious natural resources in Palawan’s northernmost island and provide alternative sources of income to host community members through environmentally sustainable tourism.

According to Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano, the 20-year Philippine Tourism Master Plan identifies Northern Palawan as a priority visitors area that should be developed as a low volume, high-value destination based on its natural heritage attractions.

"Northern Palawan offers a wide range of cultural and natural attractions. In Busuanga and Coron alone, the unspoiled beaches, coral covers, shipwrecks, and game reserves are more than enough to fascinate visitors. But while we want to develop the region as a prime tourist destination, we also would like to ensure that its natural resources will remain unspoiled," Durano said.

Thus, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the DoT, through its Sustainable Environmental Management Project in Northern Palawan (SEMPNP), with the Fisheries Improved for Sustainable Harvest (FISH), a Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to ensure the implementation of environmentally sustainable programs in selected areas in Coron and Busuanga.

Through the MOU, Coron’s BintuanSangat and Siete Pecados Marine Parks, protected areas established through the joint efforts of DoT SEMP-NP and the municipal governments of Coron and Bgy. Bintuan, are assured of technical assistance from the DoT and USAID in the next two years.

The Bintuan-Sangat and Siete Pecados Marine Parks play a vital role in the protection of the coral reefs and World War II shipwrecks found in the waters of Coron. They are also used as demonstration benchmarks for the collection and management of user’s and conservation fees to protect the main tourism resources of the area.

The Bintuan-Sangat Marine Park also houses the 63-hectare Decalve Marine Sanctuary, a Strict Protection/No Fishing Zone due to its critical significance in the conservation of marine biodiversity and protection of spawning stocks of fish. A 2004 survey done by FISH reported an average of 60 percent live coral cover in the sanctuary.

Through the joint efforts of the DoT SEMP-NP and FISH, a fish sanctuary marker was recently unveiled on the island of Decalve and buoys laid in its surrounding waters to define the boundaries of no-fishing zone.

The development of a Marine Interpretation Center in Coron, which will allow visitors to learn about the history, culture, and natural resources of the islands in Northern Palawan under the theme "From Wrecks to Reefs," and the training of stakeholders in park management and sustainable tourism development are also among the major target products of the DoT SEMP-NP and FISH partnership.

The DoT, in cooperation with the Municipal Government of Busuanga, likewise spearhead the ceremonial turnover of Homestay Program loans to qualified homeowners of the municipality. The loan will enable beneficiaries to improve their houses and make them suitable lodging facilities for local and foreign tourists, using DoT standards as yardstick.

"I hope that this joint undertaking between the DoT and the municipality of Busuanga will encourage other local governments to replicate the program not only in Palawan but also in other parts of the country. In this manner, we will be assured that the local host communities benefit directly from the country’s tourism industry and that the natural beauty of most of our destinations are retained," Durano said.