Dizon, Chelze Faith P.

PLNING 132 Sec 1

Formative Assessment 4: Visual Resource as a Natural Capital

The Philippines is wealthy in natural and visual resources and is perceived as one of the world's 17
mega-diverse nations. It is a country rich in visual resource of agricultural land, mountains, and beaches.
However, this abundance is compromised by the economic growth, fast urbanization, and climate change. The
beautiful perspectives on these assets are tested by more serious real estate spaces. Nevertheless, these
problems can be solved if this visual resource will be considered as a natural capital.
Visual resource ought to be considered as a natural capital in the Philippines, as it is a place where
there are rich visual resources that help support the country and its economy. Philippines is a land of picturesque
views. Unfortunately, these places are under danger and will undoubtedly be destroyed if not protected.
One example is the rapid commercialization of Boracay island. Boracay has acquired a lot of popularity around
the globe for its great beauty, natural views, and untainted traveler destination. It has gotten various honors and
grants. On the positive side, it has given a ton of financial advantages to the zone and to the nation too. With it
getting a few awards going from World's Best Island to World's Best Beach, it is also a center land for
developers. Regardless, it is intolerable that indiscriminate land use and declassification of the remaining wildlife
forests continue unabated, while concerned government institutions do little to prevent further damage. As of
now, a 426-room resort is being built on what is evidently a secured piece of forest land. Continued land
development is significantly adding to Boracay's environmental and beach front corruption just as to social and
cultural disengagement. A similar circumstance is also occurring in other places of visual resource, like Bohol,
Palawan, and Baguio. For example, in the mountains of Banaue, the state of the rice terraces is not healthy. All
of these incidents have opened our eyes to the Filipinos' inability to maintain and sustain our visual resources,
which are not considered natural capital in our country.
These are just few instances on why should visual resources like Boracay Island and Banaue Rice
Terraces should be considered a natural capital. Visual resources play a critical role in the Philippine economy,
as it is a main source of tourism and it pictures the natural beauty of the nation. Visual resources are also vital
because they provide electricity, water, flood control, storm prevention, and other environmental services to the
entire country, including cities. As natural capital, these can be preserved and will be visual tools that will assist
in fostering water and energy conservation, as well as reducing vulnerability to natural disasters. This can also
help to strike a balance between the need for economic development and long-term resource management. By
treating visual resources as a natural capital, it is possible to collect the data and analysis required to efficiently
handle the often-conflicting claims on natural resources, as well as track and evaluate future development
options. It is essential that these visual resources to be protected as they contribute a large part on Philippines’
overall development.

References:
CelineismI'm a weirdo. Click here to know more. (2016, March 23). 6 beautiful places in the Philippines that could
disappear sooner than you think. Retrieved March 26, 2021, from https://www.celineism.com/2016/03/6-places-
philippines-in-danger-disappearing.html?
fbclid=IwAR21CVvdnLutQmmIsMEqmDaevd_5hudtfugq0eGf4RzmHmzZo66Exz9Qpdw
Bw_mark. (n.d.). Banaue rice TERRACES Restoration: A case study on Tourism sustainability. Retrieved March
26, 2021, from https://www.bworldonline.com/banaue-rice-terraces-restoration-a-case-study-on-tourism-
sustainability/?fbclid=IwAR3yRXp8lLofL8CIxU22vusr_1XaIkILwvCv12ZED_7Yodgrpt4yoLgdirE