Social Media Technologies and Its Role in Sustainable Tourism Development of Asik-Asik Falls

Asik-Asik Falls remained hidden from the public until it was introduced through social media. Since then, it has become a tourist attraction in Alamada, North Cotabato. This research envisions contributing to the sustainable development of Asik-Asik Falls. Specifically, it aims to assess the respondents’ perception of the potential impact of tourism in Alamada using sustainable tourism development literature. The research was conducted by examining online posts of previous travelers, key informant interviews (KII), and online surveys among 150 previous travelers. The findings provide a greater understanding of tourist perceptions, which can be used as guidelines for future sustainable developments. Asik-Asik Falls as a tourist attraction has an apparent impact on the local economy, and the quality of life of the residents has generally improved. The findings also revealed that consumers and tourism suppliers shared a common interest to maintain the natural beauty of the Asik-Asik Falls. The study recommends that the local government support the development of ecotourism by allocating a budget for maintenance and promotion. The residents should also participate in the implementation of the tourism development plan. Keywords: Social media · information technology · sustainable tourism development · ecotourism · economic sustainability · environmental sustainabilit

A Preliminary Qualitative Assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s Technology Business Incubation Project in Western Visayas, Philippines

The primary role of business incubators is to provide a variety of services, resources, and facilities in support of start-ups or enterprises in the early stages of their ventures. While business incubator success indicators have been studied elsewhere, knowledge is scarce regarding incubator processes and how their support programs are organized to achieve their goal of helping out start-ups thrive and survive. This study presents an assessment of the University of the Philippines Visayas’s traditional business incubation facility based in Western Visayas, Philippines, highlighting the activities involved, outputs, and outcomes. Primary data were gathered to describe the project’s activities, outputs, and outcomes, while secondary data were sought from secondary data sources. The key success factors of the incubation project were derived from key informant interviews participated by 16 incubated enterprises. Incubatees underwent six activities throughout the project that led to the formulation of a business plan and improved incubatees’ enterprises. The project’s outcomes gauged through hard (definable and quantifiable results) and soft measures (subjective and unquantifiable results) were highlighted. The most prominent outcome based on hard measures is the growth of their enterprise. The effectiveness of the partnership has the highest impact among the soft measures. Results of the study show that incubatees deemed connections and/or partnerships as crucial to the growth of their enterprises and affiliations with other institutions serve as a window of opportunity to secure financial assistance, marketing services, and technical support. Moreover, gaining trust and establishing good working teams with individuals who are passionate and highly committed were also identified as important factors for the project’s success. Keywords: business incubation · entrepreneurship · partnershi

Assessing Accountability of Local Governance Practices in Environmental Protection in the Municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo, Central Philippines

This paper presents the results of a study that examined accountability in local governance operations in environmental protection in the municipality of Concepcion, Iloilo. As a marine protected area, Concepcion stands to benefit from the results as it provides empirical basis for potential reforms in environmental governance. Results also contribute to the literature on accountability in public administration and local environmental governance. The assessment covered clear responsibilities and mandate, transparency, political oversight, citizen control, and checks and balances. Data generated from key informant interviews and focused group discussions reveal the availability of national legislations and local ordinances that provide the appropriate policy mandates on environmental protection and spell out responsibilities of actors involved in local environmental protection; transparency mechanisms in the multisectoral consultations; the political oversight of the mayor through the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office; citizen control exercised through the active participation of civil society organizations in the management of local environmental programs; and the collaboration of multisectoral and multilevel organizations, including those from the island barangays acting as check and balance in environmental governance. However, problems and issues in accountability of environmental governance include the lack of adequate budget to sustain programs and projects, limited project monitoring mechanisms, and the under representation of the Coastal Resource Management Office in comprehensive land use planning and development, among others. The study recommends for a strategic approach in the local governance operations for environmental protection and greater exercise of political oversight in collaboration with civil society and private sector organizations

Promoting Social Entrepreneurship through Incubation

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Inclusive Business and Social Entrepreneurship

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