Philippines
Date: December 2024
Progress: In Progress
Linking conservation actions with economic benefits through the implementation of a conservation-based enterprise in selected communities in the Southeast and Southwest Cebu Province.
The Project
Promoting Community Based Eco_tourism in MPA and Mangrove Areas (ProComTour Project) is a 3-year initiative that will link conservation actions with economic benefits through the implementation of a conservation-based enterprise in selected communities in the Southeast and Southwest Cebu Province. Given the numerous interventions made in years past to improve the management of coastal resources and strengthen governance mechanisms for effective coastal resources management (CRM), this project will focus on sustaining these CRM achievements. It will accomplish this by connecting the positive impacts of conservation efforts and fishery management by initiating community-based ecotourism enterprises and strengthening existing ones.
In parallel with the proposed intervention to strengthen CRM efforts for climate change resilience and adaptation, reef rehabilitation, mangrove enrichment, this proposed project will build the capacity of communities to implement conservation-based enterprises. Such ecotourism-based enterprises will diversify income sources of the participating community groups and strengthen their resolve to protect their mangrove, coral and seagrass habitats. Through this intervention, a positive impact to the fishery resources is expected from the reduced fishing pressure with more income being derived from non extractive livelihood activities.
This proposed project will also contribute to the Cebu province’ tourism thrust which is to develop tourism destinations in every municipality focused on culture, food, and natural destinations through the “Suroy-suroy Sugbo” Program. Developing and promoting new ecotourism destinations and products is needed to provide sustainable economic opportunities for communities and to provide alternative experiences and models for sustainable and environmentally friendly tourism activities. Ecotourism activities also promote environmental conservation and local government leaders can see that there are sustainable and ecologically sound ways of promoting tourism that contribute to biodiversity conservation in measurable terms and benefit the local community.
It will establish two or more community-based ecotourism enterprises in Southeast Cebu (ADABOSS) and strengthening existing ecotourism operations in the Southwest Cebu Badian Municipality. Furthermore, this Project aims to increase community buy-in for CRM which can serve as a benchmark for future conservation-based enterprises that may be established in these sites.
Objective – Communities generate measurable income from ecotourism services they provide based on the positive results of conservation and fisheries management and an increased awareness about local natural resource valuation. Primary activities will include:
- Initiate 2 ecotourism enterprises in the Southeast Cebu cluster that build on existing structures and successful conservation sites.
- Strengthen an existing ecotourism enterprise in the Badian (Southwest Cebu) to serve as a business model for conservation-based community enterprise and for replication in other areas.
- Provide institutional support and training to the existing Bugas Badian (BUFFALOO- Bugas Farmers, Fishermen and Livestock Owners’ Organization that is currently managing the mangrove area and the floating cottage located near the newly declared MPA to improve their tour guiding service through mangrove and MPA interpretation, improve culinary service, organizational strengthening and improvement of their visitor center. This activity will substantially enhance the BUFFALOO monthly income through improved quality and efficiency of their services.
- Implement enhanced protection and management of the existing mangroves, seagrass beds and reef within their MPAs as the foundation for their ecotourism services.
- Conduct training on coastal resource economic valuation so that cost-benefit analyses can be done by the local government units (LGUs) planning staff to determine the relative values existing for each LGU in planning their ecotourism enterprises and to justify costs in maintaining their MPAs and doing municipal-wide CRM.
- Ensure sustainability of the ecotourism enterprise by linking with existing markets /networks and agency partners in Cebu City and Manila as appropriate.
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The Organisation – Coastal Conservation & Education Foundation
Driven by its passion to create sustainable coasts with involved communities, CCEF continues to develop and disseminate tools, techniques, and research for better marine management. For 23 years, CCEF has been promoting integrated coastal management approach that includes Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) localised enforcement and other participatory best practices. CCEF helps ensure that the local communities improve their quality of life especially those depending on coastal and marine ecosystems.
Find out more info here: https://www.coast.ph/
