Workshop for Ecotourism Development in Mayon Volcano Natural Park held in Legazpi City

             An action-planning workshop for ecotourism development in Mayon Volcano Natural Park was held in Legazpi City last week. The three-day workshop conducted by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, was an initial step in the implementation of National Ecotourism Program, a New Zealand-assisted project that focuses on mainstreaming ecotourism-based livelihood and natural resources management, DENR Regional Executive Director Oscar M. Hamada said.

             Among the topics discussed were: (1) the national ecotourism program, (2) ecotourism concepts and principles in the concept of protected area management, ecotourism experiences at Mt. Kanlaon Natural Park and other places in the Philippines, and environmental management and sustainable development considerations and processes in ecotourism development.

             The resource speakers came from the Asian Institute of Tourism, Haribon Foundation, Inc., Development Academy of the Philippines, and DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau.

             On the same occasion, Felix Mendoza, Regional Technical Director for Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service (PAWCZMS) of the DENR in Bicol, presented a situationer on the Mayon Volcano Natural Park, while Mr. Joselito Arcilla of the Department of Tourism (DOT), gave the highlights of the plans and programs for the said natural park. 

                The participants came up with the following objectives as workshop outputs: 

• ·        Organize/integrate programs/projects of various stakeholders for the development of ecotourism at Mayon Volcano Natural Park (MVNP)

• ·        Develop an integrated MVNP ecotourism development plan 

• ·         Work for Regional Development council and concerned LGUs adoption of MVNP integrated ecotourism development plan. 

• ·        Establish livelihood projects/programs within MVNP communities. 

• ·        Encourage concerned local government units and other government agencies to appropriate funds annually for MVNP ecotourism plan implementation. 

• ·        Develop and implement a comprehensive multi-media IEC program for MVNP. 

• ·        Implement the respective ecotourism projects/activities of DENR, LGUs and other government agencies.

• ·        Evaluate and update the MVNP ecotourism plan. 

• ·        Increase tourist arrivals by 30% in 2007. 

Hamada said the core agenda of Phase II of the New Zealand-sponsored ecotourism project at MVNP is to develop ecotourism-based livelihood projects among communities surrounding the natural park, arrest habitat destruction and ecological degradation, and harness the capacities of LGUs in ecotourism development while protecting the park from further degradation. 

The MVNP is a focal site and a major player in Cluster II national ecotourism grouping comprised of the National Capital Region, Region 4 (Palawan areas) and Region 5. 

Resort operators, other stakeholders, representatives from Local Government Units, other Government Agencies, non-government organizations, various tourism councils, and DENR and DOT participated in the workshop.

New Zealand provides funds for ecotourism

By A.M. CONTRERAS

            The Government of New Zealand thru its New Zealand agency for International Development (NZAID) has extended the amount of $300,000.00 New Zealand dollars to mainstream community-based ecotourism development in Mayon Volcano Natural Park and three mother protected areas in the country, namely: Hundred Islands Natural Park, in Northern Luzon, Bohol Protected areas in the Visayas; and Lake Sebu Watershed Forest Reserve in Mindanao, DENR Regional Executive Director Oscar M. Hamada reports. 

            The project which will implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources thru its Protected Area Management Bureau in partnership with the Department of Tourism (DOT) will cover a four year period from July 2004 to June 2008. 

            Hamada said that the project known as NZAID phase 2, would develop community-based ecotourism in the protected areas as a means to improved livelihoods and manage natural and cultural resources in a sustainable manner.  To achieve this goal, the following measures are to be taken: establish ecotourism businesses and visitors services in the four protected natural areas; advocate and coordinate the implementation of the National ecotourism Strategy within DENR and DOT; and market ecotourism products at site, regional and national levels. 

            As part of the approaches in the establishment of ecotourism businesses and visitor services is the development of business plan for the four protected areas, such as Mayon Volcano Natural Park, and capacity building in business development and management of participating barangays and communities. 

            While the implementation of the National Ecotourism Strategy may require the amendment and development of new policies related to protected area management and financial mechanism; and the strengthening of institutional mechanism for ecotourism to develop, thru industry standards, trainings, sharing of lessons learned among the key stakeholders, assisting LGUs plan and develop ecotourism; and securing annual budgets for ecotourism from the DENR/PAWC and DOT. 

            While marketing of ecotourism products may need ht clustering of barangays or communities who will take part in product  development; while promoting ecotourism products using mass media channels, trade shows and other forms of sales promotions. 

            A  Site Assessment Team from Manila headed by Priscilla N. Calimag, an Ecosystem Management Specialist and Dr. Celestino B. Ulep, Project Consultant, visited Mayon Volcano Natural Park last July 20-23, 2004 to assess the area in preparation for the various ecotourism projects and activities to be introduced in the park. 

            The Site Assessment Team was assisted by Regional Technical Director Felix C. Mendoza of the DENR Protected Areas, Wildlife and Coastal Zone Management Service, Department of Tourism Assistant Regional Director Joselito Arcilla, PENRO Antonio Abawag of Albay, Forester Edilberto M. Matusalem, Protected Area Superintendent of Mayon Volcano Natural Park and other technical personnel of the DENR Protecred Areas and Wildlife Div.