Community Participation for Sustainable Tourism

ECOTOURISM SITE: PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL

PARK, PALAWAN

In the Philippines, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is a protected
area. The park features the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River and is located in the
Saint Paul Mountain Range on the western coast of Palawan, some 80 kilometers north
of the city of Puerto Princesa. A beautiful limestone karst environment with an
underground river may be found in this park. One of the river's distinctive characteristics
is that it flows straight into the sea, with the lowest section of the river vulnerable to tidal
forces. In addition, the region is an important habitat for biodiversity protection. The
property offers a complete mountain-to-sea ecosystem and some of Asia's most
significant woods. The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is home to
one of the world's most stunning cave systems, along with spectacular limestone karst
landscapes, unspoiled natural beauty, unbroken old growth forests, and unique species.
It is situated on the mid-western coast of Palawan, in the south western section of the
Philippine Archipelago. Through agreements that establish legal ownership with the City
Government of Puerto Princesa, effective site protection is provided at the municipal
level rather than at the national level. This local ownership system ensures that the
property's national qualities are preserved even when local management viewpoints
shift. The park is managed in two zones inside the boundary: a core that includes the
park and a buffer that surrounds it. The park's Management Plan outlines essential
goals and initiatives, as well as zoning within the park's limits for alternative
management regimes. The property's management is excellent, showing strong local
political backing and allowing for enough budget and staffing. Its main goal is to
preserve the subterranean river and the forest ecology as closely as possible to their
natural form. Guidelines that strive to restrict actions that may have an influence on the
property govern the buffer's management. They also call for the implementation of long-
term safeguards for agricultural fields within the buffer zone. As a result, not only are the
area's natural resources being conserved, but the citizens' quality of life is also being
improved. More resources, however, are necessary to fully implement the management
plan and recommendations. Tourist, which has been highlighted as a possible danger to
the property's natural resources, is being addressed through tourism management
objectives outlined in the management plan. As a result, as the number of visitors to the
park grows, more staff training in park planning and management is necessary to
guarantee that tourism activities are effectively managed. The tourism program at the
site strives to improve visitors' experiences with nature while also safeguarding natural
resources. The management plan must also address threats posed by activities like
forest clearance and agriculture. Water quality in the subterranean river, which is
inevitably impacted by upstream activities in the catchment region, as well as pollution
inputs to the river, must be addressed in the management standards.