Economic Evaluation for the Marine Protected Area of San Miguel Island in Bicol Region, Philippines Comparison between WTW (Willingness to Work) and WTP (Willingness to Pay)

In order to conserve the coral reefs, seagrass beds and other marine habitats, neighboring countries along the Kuroshio Current are now carrying out community-based marine resource management, including fishery regulations, illegal fishing bans, and establishment of marine protected areas (MPAs). In this study, we used stated preference techniques to investigate the rural villagers' value of resource and environmental conservation taking the case of the San Miguel Island MPA in Bicol Region, Southern Luzon, Philippines. From the 1,035 households we randomly sampled for our baseline survey, we interviews for this 329 samples from Sagurong village where the MPA is situated, and from the neighboring village Rawis. We applied a non-parametric method to estimate the mean WTW and WTP values. The monetary equivalent of the average WTW is 15 times higher than the average WTP. A possible explanation is that the labor market in rural villages in developing countries is incomplete so villagers have a stronger preference for money than for time and may have expressed their WTP too little as compared with the monetary value of the WTW. The aggregate WTW value for the two villages is equivalent to having about 100 people watch and patrol the MPA per day. On the other hand, the aggregate WTP in Sagurong is equivalent to the monthly incentive of around 43 people if we use the current monthly incentive of the patrol group. Finally, we estimated volunteer work and payment behavior equations, and examined the sign directions of the factors specified to influence WTW and WTP. In both equations, the sign of the variables such as days proposed and amount of payment and income were consistent with economic theory, suggesting the internal validity of our results

Estimating the Recreational Value of Marine Protected Area in Northern Philippines in Support to Coastal Management and Rural Transformation

Aside from its biodiversity conservation and fishery sustainability purposes, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) opened tourism and recreational opportunities which brought economic benefits of the stakeholders. To contribute to the recreational value information for policy implications towards sustainable management and rural transformation, this study calculated the welfare estimates of local visitors in Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (PIPLS) located in northern Philippines. The travel cost method (TCM) was used to evaluate the economic use values of the PIPLS on its present condition using actual expenses data of the tourists and the contingent behavior (CB) was used to estimate the change in welfare associated with the improved conditions upon payment of an additional access fee for the cost of community-based patrolling and monitoring. Data for the study were collected on-site over the 3-month period from April 1 to June 30, 2016 gathering a total of 618 completed questionnaires which were used in the analysis. Results confirmed that tourists take lesser recreational trips as cost of travel increases. Visitors who enjoyed activities with marine resources (e.g. swimming, snorkelling, island hopping), more educated and affluent tend to visit more. The consumer surplus per tourist, which indicates welfare estimates, is ₱1,401.15 (US$30.12) at its present condition and ₱10,080.65 (US$216.69) for its improved state. The result demonstrates that the tourists have a high value for the opportunity to visit the PIPLS especially in its enriched settings. The research showed high monetary values attached to the recreational services in the area and provide justification for its conservation and development of sustainable recreational activities for the economic benefit of the local residents

Estimating the Recreational Value of Marine Protected Area in Northern Philippines in Support to Coastal Management and Rural Transformation

Aside from its biodiversity conservation and fishery sustainability purposes, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) opened tourism and recreational opportunities which brought economic benefits of the stakeholders. To contribute to the recreational value information for policy implications towards sustainable management and rural transformation, this study calculated the welfare estimates of local visitors in Palaui Island Protected Landscape and Seascape (PIPLS) located in northern Philippines. The travel cost method (TCM) was used to evaluate the economic use values of the PIPLS on its present condition using actual expenses data of the tourists and the contingent behavior (CB) was used to estimate the change in welfare associated with the improved conditions upon payment of an additional access fee for the cost of community-based patrolling and monitoring. Data for the study were collected on-site over the 3-month period from April 1 to June 30, 2016 gathering a total of 618 completed questionnaires which were used in the analysis. Results confirmed that tourists take lesser recreational trips as cost of travel increases. Visitors who enjoyed activities with marine resources (e.g. swimming, snorkelling, island hopping), more educated and affluent tend to visit more. The consumer surplus per tourist, which indicates welfare estimates, is ₱1,401.15 (US$30.12) at its present condition and ₱10,080.65 (US$216.69) for its improved state. The result demonstrates that the tourists have a high value for the opportunity to visit the PIPLS especially in its enriched settings. The research showed high monetary values attached to the recreational services in the area and provide justification for its conservation and development of sustainable recreational activities for the economic benefit of the local residents

Analyzing Factors of Willingness to Work or Pay for the Management of Atulayan Bay Marine Protected Area in Sagñay, Camarines Sur, Philippines: Does Social Capital Help Subserve Fisherfolks’ Cooperation for Coastal Resource Governance?

This study analyzed the factors of willingness to work or pay of the fisherfolks for managing the Atulayan Bay Marine Protected Area (MPA). The results of the study revealed that local people are willing to participate in managing the MPA. Bid level; daily cash on hand; household size; monthly income; membership in a group, association, or organization; and trust among the members of a priority organization influence fisherfolks’ willingness to participate in MPA governance. This study suggests that local governments or policymakers may strengthen organizations that can help the local people work together for MPA improvement

Economic, Ecological and Institutional Impacts of Super Typhoon Reming on a Mangrove Rehabilitation Community in Malinao, Albay, Philippines

Arresting the decline of mangrove forests and mainstreaming people‟s participation in their management provided the rationale for community-based mangrove rehabilitation in the Philippines. Mangrove rehabilitation aims to re-establish habitat and functions that have been lost. In the context of coastal resource management, the risk that typhoons could alter socioeconomic and institutional goals of communitybased mangrove rehabilitation and the dearth of information on impacts of typhoon on such goals and combined income-asset shocks on households presents a great challenge. This paper analyzed the economic effects of typhoon and its impact on community-based mangrove rehabilitation community in the coastal municipality of Malinao, southeastern Luzon. Key informant interview, household and mangrove transect surveys were used in data gathering. Valuation of damaged crops and lost assets were used in quantifying direct economic effects. A time-one, time-two comparison technique was used in quantifying impacts. The results showed the direct damage on crops was highest in rice. The damage on physical assets was highest in fishing gears. The damage on livestock was highest in small animals. The cost of repair was highest for concrete houses, although native houses had the highest proportion of damage. Total direct damage cost valued at PhP 24.33 million justifies public investment in disaster risk management. Per capita damage cost at PhP 12,581 equivalent to 3-month household income shortfall can derail early recovery. The indirect social impacts increased access on social services as window of opportunities brought by the disaster event but are ad hoc in nature. The old mangrove forest population was very slightly impacted but the reforested mangrove was dramatically reduced. Most of the institutional performances in resource management and livelihood sustainability plans were negatively impacted. Livelihood projects with live production assets were more vulnerable and incurred heavy losses from typhoon. The typhoon resulted to very minimal gains on overall natural resource management goals posting slight positive changes on stakeholders influence on mangrove resource management, control over resources, collective decision-making, and knowledge. Coping mechanisms and implications for disaster mitigation and sustainable management were discussed