ASEAN Peatland Forests Project

ECOTOURISM
DEVELOPMENT
ASSESSMENT:
A REPORT
Presented by: ROBERTO P. CERENO
College of Forestry & Natural Resources
University of the Philippines Los Baños
 Rationale

 Ensuring the sustainable

management of peatlands
 Awareness raising,
capacity building and
institutional strengthening
at the national level and in
the pilot communities

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Project Sites

Leyte
Sab-a
Basin

Agusan
Marsh

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Methodology

• Meeting with the Local Peatland

Working Group
• Community visits / familiarization tours
• Multi-sectoral seminar-workshop on
ecotourism development:
• Field validation and presentation of
preliminary plans to stakeholders
• Report preparation & submission

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Guiding Principles
Ecotourism is …

 Leisure and learning

activities where visitors
enjoy nature, culture and
interchange with local
people in an agricultural,
mountain or fishing village.

 Travel to rural areas that

encourages enjoyment,
environmental education,
engagement & conservation.
Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno
 Guiding Principles
Tenets of ecotourism (the 5Es):
Visitor
Enjoyment Economic
Benefit

Conservation
Education Stakeholder
Engagement

Environmental
Protection

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Guiding Principles
Potential benefits:
 Economic diversification opportunities
 Excellent tool to educate the public
 Preservation of natural & cultural heritage
 Development of “pride of place”

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Guiding Principles
Peatland ecotourism theme:

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
The 5 As of ecotourism:
1. Attractions:
Peat swamp forest, waterbodies, farms,
rare flora & fauna, historical landmarks,
festivals/ events, OTOP products

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
The 5 As of ecotourism:
2. Activities:
nature walk, trail running, camping,
biking, birding, fishing, river cruising &
rafting, kayaking, photo safari, nature
education, farming activities, arts &
crafts, native food cooking, etc.

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
The 5 As of ecotourism development:
3. Accommodation:
homestays, pension house, inns, campsites
4. Amenities:
visitor center, nature interpretation,
tour guiding, info materials,
5. Access:
road network, travel mode & duration,
transport service, communication

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Meeting & community visit with the LPTWG ,
DENR Eastern Visayas, 10 March 2012

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Community visits / fam. tour: Alang-alang:
11 March 2012

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Community visits / fam. tour: 11 March 2012

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Multi-sectoral seminar-workshop on
ecotourism development: 12 March 2012
Vision: “Leyte Sab-a Peatland: A globally
known ecotourism destination with vibrant,
happy, educated, cooperative and God- fearing
people, practicing community-based
sustainable management of resources for the
conservation of biodiversity,
climate change adaptation and
mitigation, that improved
quality of life.”

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Multi-sectoral seminar-workshop on
ecotourism development: 12 March 2012

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Assessment for Ecotourism
• Community visits / fam. tour: 28 May 2012

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT) • Swamp flora

• and fauna?
Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno
 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT)
• Freshwater & peat swamp landscape

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT)
• Nature education tours

• Agri-tourism & livelihood

• Birding & marsh

wildlife watching tours

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT)
• Sorjan Farming c/o DA ATI

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT)

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Peatland Ecosystem Awareness Tour
(PEAT)

• Boardwalk &
observation deck

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Leyte Sab-a Basin:
• Peatland tour in Alang-alang & Sta. Fe, nature
education, birding, photo safari, etc.
• Agri-tourism demo projects
• Visitor reception facility
• Information materials, collaterals & signage
• Training & organization of eco-tour guides &
emergency rescue volunteers
• Organization of homestay accommodation
• Arts, crafts & livelihood ventures

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Priority attractions
• Peatland forests - Divisoria, Langit, San Isidro
• Wildlife - Divisoria, Tabangohay, Langit, San Isidro
• Agri demo farm - DA ATI center, Tabangohay
• Lagoons & Malaihaw River - Langit, San Isidro
• GK houses - Divisoria
• Fish cage - San Isidro
• Trekking - Divisoria, Tabangohay
• Hat , mat, basket - Langit, Tabangohay, San Isidro
Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno
 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Tourism Market:
• Students of Eastern Visayas universities,
colleges schools
• Local Philippine tourists
• International: short & long haul

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

 Possible Ecotourism Projects
Organization & management
• LGUs
• Local communities
• NGOs
Local enterprises to organize & implement
PEAT

Ecotourism development by R.P. Cereno

Thank You
for Your Attention

Toog hug
Agusan del Sur
2 March 2012

E-mail: rpcereno@uplb.edu.ph
Facebook: robby.cereno