Sustainable Tourism Planning Frameworks La Mesa Eco Park

Visitor Activity Management Process (VAMP)

Group Activity

(Pre-final Exam)

Aguilar, Nicholas

Cainto, Bobby

Marchan, Alliah

Nacional, Rona Ortega, Rossana

 B. Short Background about the Chosen Philippine Destination

The La Mesa Eco Park

The La Mesa Park and Resort was established in the 1950s. It was opened to the public

and quickly became a popular picnic destination for Metro Manila residents until the mid-1970s.

However, the Park was eventually closed due to neglect. The facilities were in disrepair. The QC

government, the ABS-CBN Foundation, and the MWSS conceptualized the restoration of La Mesa

Park in 2001. The “Save La Mesa Watershed Project” cost a total of $247 million for the park’s

rehabilitation. It reopened in September 2004 under the new name “La Mesa Eco Park”.

Moreover, the goal was to turn it into a center for biodiversity conservation and environmental

education. As well as to provide a venue for leisure and a true forest experience to the Filipino

family. The existing swimming pool, bathhouse, picnic grounds, playground, kiosks, and pavilions

were restored in 2003. The park eventually added more facilities. Since then, a lot of visitor’s

flock to the place. Not only the Quezon City residents but even other Filipinos living in the nearby

areas. Greeneries carpet the landscape amid a backdrop of towering trees. Allowing its visitors

to jog, walk, and meditate surrounded by fresh air, and relaxing scenery. They converted some

of the empty dam slopes into an amphitheater. They also planted several species of flowering

plants to create flower terraces on the main slope. It is the favorite part of people where they

mostly sit to take a break and get their instagrammable photos. Indeed, La Mesa Eco Park’s

simulated tropical forest environment is a healthier leisure option for Metro Manila and

neighbouring provinces’ residents. Furthermore, the Park provides budget–friendly, accessible,

and safe outdoor recreation for families. You should add this to your travel list and bring all your

loved ones.
 C. Brief Explanation of the Assigned Sustainable Tourism Planning Framework

With the help of this tool, you may manage visitors, their activities, and their effects in

particular regions using a variety of processes and strategies. It is a crucial component of

managing tourism by both commercial and public organizations, particularly in natural areas with

unique values that require conservation. This review focuses on Visitor Activity Management

(VAM), one complementary management method. In the generic sources listed in the Resources

section, several related procedures that have been created for certain tourism situations are

detailed. VAM focuses on overseeing visitors while they go about their daily business or the "nuts

and bolts" of visitor management. It could be a straightforward set of unofficial procedures or

formal documentation like the Visitor Activity Management Process (VAMP). Neither method

needs to be limited only. A variety of techniques can be used to accomplish them, including track

hardening or other design-led solutions, timing systems (see crowding control), education,

behavior management, etc.

For managers to attain desired conditions or outcomes, visitor management techniques

identify indicators and standards. When and how to use the tool Although formal frameworks

are utilized mostly in North America, Australia, and New Zealand, visitor impact management

strategies are extensively used in protected area management.

The following are the general steps of the VAMP framework:

1. Produce Project Terms

• Allowed activities: Jogging, walking, meditation, and picnic (Mon-Sun)

• Photo/video shoots (Mon-Fri)

 • Operating hours: 6:00 am to 12 noon (Monday to Friday), 6:00 am to 3:00 pm (Saturday

and Sunday)

• Walk-ins will be accepted but following a limit of 700 guests inside the park at any given

time

• Only fully vaccinated individuals may enter the La Mesa Nature Reserve and La Mesa

Eco Park

• Areas open to visitors: Main access roads, an open-air amphitheatre, and a picnic area

• Minimum health and safety protocols of the park must be always observed

• Vaccination Card and valid ID (for the discount) must be presented before entry

2. Confirm Existing Objectives

The La Mesa Park and Resort opened in the 1950s. When it opened to the public, people from

Metro Manila went there often for picnics until the mid-1970s. The Park had to close in the end

because no one took care of it. Buildings needed to be fixed up. In 2001, the QC government, the

ABS-CBN Foundation, and the MWSS all had plans to fix up La Mesa Park. The "Save La Mesa

Watershed Project" raised a total of $247 million to pay for the park's renovation. The new name

was La Mesa Eco Park until it reopened in September 2004. It was also meant to be a place where

people could learn about the environment and work to protect biodiversity. Also, they wanted

to give the Filipino family a place to relax and enjoy a real forest. In 2003, repairs were made to

the existing swimming pool, bathhouse, picnic area, playground, kiosks, and pavilions. Later, the

park got more things to do.

3. Organize a database describing park ecosystems and setting

Strength

• La Mesa Eco Park has its uniqueness that makes the place beautiful.

• It offers different environmental facilities that will surely enjoy by the people who

visit the park.

• La Mesa Eco Park offers different Tour Packages that the tourist might avail.

• The people who visit may do some ocular and recreational activities that the eco-park

offers. Its forest functions as the lungs of Metro Manila, providing it with clean air.

Weaknesses

• The road going inside the park deteriorating.

• They have a poor mode of transportation for walk-ins or public tourists.

• Some facilities are not maintained because of the typhoon. They do have not enough

security in the area.

Opportunities

• La Mesa Eco Park is open for donations and financial assistance from people who

want to

• It can be the center of biodiversity conservation.

• La Mesa Eco Park can still build up another facility or garden/farm because of its big

space. More trained and educated tour guides for the tourist.

• More establishments that will serve eco-friendly things/materials.

Threats
 • Some establishments are served as competitors for Eco Park.

• The number of people who visit Eco Park is declining due to the competitors like

malls. People may choose malls instead of Eco Park because of their different

facilities.

• The number of squatters around the vicinity of the park is increasing which makes the

place populated.

4. Analyze the Existing Area Situation

The La Mesa Eco-park in Quezon City's Novaliches neighborhood is one of the best locations

to escape the city's busy center. The La Mesa Dam and Watershed Reservation, a 2,700-hectare

(27 square kilometers) tract that was created in 1929 to provide water for the majority of Metro

Manila, includes the park, which was made public in 2004. The watershed is the last remaining

rainforest in the Metro Manila area, giving it a peaceful spot to connect with nature or a fun place

to go on an adventure thanks to the many nearby water and sports facilities. The 33- hectare

public park's mission is to conserve and safeguard the La Mesa Watershed by not only generating

income but also by raising public awareness of environmental issues and encouraging

conservation efforts. Eco Park’s main goals are to promote outdoor recreation and forest

experiences. Students, families, environmentalists, tourists, and fitness enthusiasts frequent the

park every day as an alternative to the city's commercial malls. Their attractions support

environmental protection and awareness. Additionally, there are interactive activities that let

guests engage with the environment through touch, feel, scent, and breathing. The PDAD

followed a program designed to create parks and historical places, preserve open spaces, prevent
and get rid of squatter settlements, and promote public safety, cleanliness, and order. More

crucially, the program promoted private industry, NGOs, POs, and concerned citizens'

involvement in the creation and upkeep of parks. The city administration, homeowners, and

barangay councils all signed memoranda of understanding to cooperate in maintaining and

preserving the parks. The homeowner’s organizations and barangays were often consulted about

the park's development within their jurisdiction. Upgrade, Upkeep, and Transform were their

motto. This entailed putting the city's fundamental systems in order, getting rid of the blight that

marred the urban landscape and radically enhancing both the urban environment and urban life

5. Produce alternative visitor activity concepts

This park offers the inhabitants of Manila an alternative to malls for weekends. Besides, the

park aims at raising awareness of environmental issues through different activities: visits to the

vermicomposting area, gardening lessons, a butterfly farm, an orchid garden, and notice signs.

6. Create a Park Management Plan

La Mesa Resource Management Framework:

Plan to save the forest, the ABS-CBN Foundation established Bantay Kalikasan to reforest 1500

hectares of land. Today, less than 200 hectares remain to be reforested. The La Mesa Watershed

and Eco Park consist of the La Mesa Dam and an ecological nature reserve site in Quezon City

commissioned in 1929 in the Philippines. As the primary source of drinking water in Metro

Manila, the La Mesa Watershed is of utmost importance. However, it came into disrepair because

of mismanagement, lack of funding, illegal logging, deforestation, and illegal settling. The Eco
Park sits on 2700 hectares, divided between 700 hectares of the reservoir and 2000 hectares of

forest.

7. Plan Implementation

Maintain a consistent focus on technology updates, assets, investments, and process

improvements to enhance client satisfaction, protection of the environment and prevention of

pollution, prevention of injury and illness among our workers, and promotion of a safe and

healthy workplace. Continually improve our overall quality, environment, safety, and health

performance by setting improvement goals, implementing value-adding programs and action

plans, and evaluating the continuing suitability, adequacy, and effectiveness of our management

system.

D. Explanation of why the Philippine Tourism Destination was Chosen

Eco Parks acts as a catalyst for reconnection and the growth of the comprehension of the

systems required for original and resilient problem-solving. An eco-park aims to modify both the

social and environmental landscapes on a wide scale as well as conserve and restore the natural

world. We choose La Mesa Eco Park since this park has experienced a lot of trouble of disasters

throughout the years; the VAMP gives guidance for the planning and management of new,

developing, and established parks. This will sustain the park which leads to a better and more

manageable park. Aside from that, this will promote public understanding and appreciation of

sustainability practices and involve local communities as well. Through its environmental

program Bantay Kalikasan (Environment Watch), ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya (ALKFI) and
Metropolitan Waterworks and Sewage System (MWSS) partnered in 1999 to restore and

ultimately save the La Mesa Watershed and Dam.

La Mesa is the last significant rainforest of its size in the city and a key supply of drinking

water in Metro Manila, which has an impact on the environment. Up to 75% of the forest cover

had been destroyed before the project began. Before this, slash-and-burn practitioners,

poachers, and illegal loggers all preyed upon the area (kaingin). Around 300 families were

reportedly formally residing in the area.

The La Mesa Watershed and Eco Park are flourishing right now! It is referred to as Metro

Manila's "green lung" since it traps 3-5% of the city's carbon emissions. Additionally, 12 million

people get their drinking water from there. The Watershed and Eco Park receive between

400,000 and 450,000 visitors each year. Swimming, fishing, bird watching, picnics, and other

activities are available at Eco Park, which is a place to unwind and have fun. The Watershed is a

place for mountain biking and hiking in addition to housing the dam. 14,894 pupils visited the

Eco Academy in 2018 to learn about environmental conservation and get involved.

Regarding the preservation of wildlife, La Mesa now has 102 trees from 9 endemic species.

There are now 125 birds, representing 25 different bird species, as well as lichens, dragonflies,

and other signs of a healthy environment. The area is now safer than before. Families who had

been squatting in La Mesa were relocated, and now that the forest is routinely patrolled, there

are many fewer forest fires and instances of illicit logging. The La Mesa Watershed and Eco Park's

(La Mesa Watershed and Eco Park) legacy and ongoing efforts are supported by ABS CBN

Foundation International (AFI). In the past, we have solely involved our supporters in Bantay Bata
endeavors, but we would like to broaden the range of initiatives that our Kapamilya abroad can

support. We wanted to respond to the increasing call for attention being paid to the effects of

climate change by sharing an initiative that is crucial to Metro Manila's environment, wildlife, and

residents. Due to its accessibility and spectacular, above-and-beyond natural beauty, La Mesa

Eco Park is a good candidate for the VAMP framework. When it comes to resources that could

support the municipality's tourism industry and way of life, the area is abundant. The powerfully

inventive society is also capable of generating new activities without endangering the

environment. The resources from the place can be exploited for recreational usage for souvenirs

and advertising. In addition to other parks, La Mesa Eco Park has been on travelers' wish lists. It

may be a foreign or local tourist. Having these qualities and naturalness in one place gives a

hundred percent masterpiece to the tourist to enjoy their leisure time, Despite having a large

number of visitors each year, La Mesa Eco Park keeps the area tidy. Therefore, this location is the

most suggested travel destination in the nation. Using this framework, we can educate both

domestic and international tourists, the management, and the government that La Mesa Eco Park

can have a high number of tourist arrivals just like before. Only if, they will perform renovations

in the facilities of the park to sustain its ecological value, maintain its natural resources, and to

protect the La Mesa Dam which is located inside the Eco Park. It can also encourage

environmental awareness that aims to the protection of the La Mesa Eco Park to protect its

natural habitat. The benefit of using the VAMP framework to the park itself is that it will give

some thoughts about on what activities or improvements is needed to attract more tourist and

on the other hand is to promote, protect and sustain the ecological stability of the Eco Park. As a
tourism student, we will be capable on contributing a solution on how to boost its' tourist arrival

and survive it's extinction as a tourism destination in Metro Manila