A SUSTAINABLE ECOTOURISM MANAGEMENT FOR MT.

APO
NATURAL PARK, NORTH COTABATO,
REGION XII

A GRADUATE RESEARCH PROPOSAL PRESENTED TO THE FACULTY OF

THE COLLEGE OF GOVERNANCE, BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS,
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES

IN PARTIAL FULLFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS IN RESEARCH

METHOD AND APPLIED STATISTICS SUBJECT FOR THE
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN ENVIRONMENTAL
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT,
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
DEVELOPMENT
ADMINISTRATION

HANNA MARIE L. PORLARES

NORHAYA D. AMATONDING
ARMANDO C. VICTORIA
LIEZEL L. JUMAWOY
SARAH L. LABADAN

OCTOBER 2014

Chapter I
INTRODUCTION

Ecotourism is significant tool in sustainable development as it also

advocates the protection of the natural resources. This research paper was
undertaken in line of and consistent with the ecotourism management to
contribute to the sustainability of Mt. Apo

natural park as it on the tentative

list of UNESCOS world heritage sites as it being considered to become of the

richest botanical mountains in the region hosting hundreds of rare, endemic
and threatened species of flora.
Promoting sustainable ecotourism in Mindanao is one factor or bases for
proposing a system to promote and develop ecotourism in Philippines.
Ecotourism is a management tool for development, management, protection
and conservation of the protected area. Being the tool of the management it
comprehends the three important aspect in building strong foundation of
ecotourism such as economic, social and environment. Those aspects is said to
be the major contributors for a sustainable ecotourism development.
North Cotabato of Region 12 site is chosen for this research on the basis
of its distinctive contribution of potential to biodiversity conservation and
ecotourism. Mt. apo is covered of 549,744,724.32 sq.m. more or less straddles

Davao city, Digos City, the town of Bansalan and Sta. Cruz in Davao del Sur
and Makilala, Magpet and Kidapawan city in North Cotabato.
The management of protected areas (PAs) in the Philippines is governed
by a number of enabling national laws. Republic Act (RA) 7586 or the National
Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 provided for the
establishment and management of a comprehensive integrated system of
protected areas to maintain essential ecological processes and life-support
systems to preserve genetic diversity, to ensure sustainable use of resources
therein, and to maintain their natural conditions to the greater extent possible
for present and future generation of Filipinos ( Opportunities and Challenges in
Managing Protected Areas Of The Philippines, June 2013, Benjamin C. Bagadion,
Ph.D. And Ma. Edna A. Soriano) . Mt. Apo Natural Park is one of the 83 terrestrial

Protected Area (PA) with a specific law which is the Mt. Apo protected Area act
(RA 9237). This law have been formally included the building partnership
between central and local government, NGOs, communities, indigenous people
and private sector that working together in sustainability of the natural
resources and promote ecotourism livelihood project for commercial viable. The
continued expansion of ecotourism has created opportunities for income
generation and employment, at both the national and local levels. Additionally,
ecotourism has provided greater incentives for natural resource conservation in

the form of state-protected areas and private lands (The Impacts of Ecotourism
in Costa Rica by Sujata Narayan).

Statement of the Problem:

The study seeks to determine the following:
1. Involvement of the Indigenous People in ecotourism planning in existence
guidelines set by indigenous people for visitors entering their domain
area, and respect their indigenous management plans.
2. Adequately strengthening the Mt. Apo Natural Park PAMB, North
Cotabato Mt. Apo Natural Park SUB_PAMB, DENR/PAWB and LGUs for
the provision of suitable visitors and services.
3. Slowing rate and extent of habitat destruction through development of
ecotourism livelihood project.

Null Hypothesis:

A sustainable ecotourism management does not have an effect on the

sustainability of Mt. Apo Natural Park as Protected area in North Cotabato,
Region 12.

Objective of the Study:

This study was undertaken to assess the sustainable ecotourism management
in Mt. Apo Natural Park of North Cotabato Region 12, specifically the following
objectives were considered:
1. To identify the Ecotourism management issues, and gaps within Mt. Apo
Natural Park, North Cotabato
2. To identify the development of professional approach in managing
protected area for ecotourism.
Significance of the Study:
This study would serve as a benchmark to a future researcher of Mt. Apo
Natural Park Ecotourism management. This would serve as database
information on the sustainability of ecotourism in North Cotabato site. It could
also be used as an instrument to conserve our terrestrial protected area. This
study is founded on a vision to advocate, foster, monitor, and mobilize support
for ecotourism.

Background of the Study:

The 71,796 hectares of Mt. Apo Natural Park comprises the two (2) region
in Mindanao. Region 11(Davao del Sur) and Region 12 (North Cotabato)
straddles Davao city, Digos City, the town of Bansalan and Sta. Cruz in Davao
del Sur and Makilala, Magpet and Kidapawan city in North Cotabato. On
September 2007 Declaration of Understanding was formulate and fascilitated
by the 3 mayor covered by the protected area. Kidapawan city, Magpet and
Makilala (KMM) Eco-triangle, a platform unity and cooperation among the
three (3) local governments units toward unified and responsible development
interventions for Mt. Apo Natural Park.
In 2008-2009 initiated the conceptualization and provided assistance in
technical formulation of North cotabato Sub-PAMB, as a new structure within
the Protected Area Management Board (PAMB).

From its mother PAMB

pursuant to Republic Act (RA) 7586 or the National Integrated Protected Areas
System (NIPAS) Act of 1992 of Mt.
Apo Natural Park, North Cotabato Sub-PAMB likewise serve as the the policymaking body of the park in particular at North Cotabato side. They review,
approve and adopt the management plans and development programs in their
respective implementing rules and regulations. Through the effort of SUBPAMB resulted in organizational efficiency in administrative coordination and
decision making process of Mt. Apo Natural-PAMB. The three (3) Municipality

of North Cotabato MANPKMM with its corresponding Tourism Officer help to

administer the ecotourism management for the sustainability of the protected
Area. Under Executive Order 111 issued in 1998 provided the partnership
between the DOT and DENR, and other agencies, to develop and promote
Ecotourism management. This law also established an institutional framework
and mechanism for integrated development of ecotourism.
Mt. Apo Natural Park considered as one of the richest botanical
mountain in the hosting of rare, endemic threatened species of flora. Trekking
to the crater-lake of Mt. Apo is the most popular activity that has provided
economic opportunities to the resident of the three (3) municipalities
specifically the twelve (12) barangays covered by

protected area. A city and

municipal tourism office and DENR have organized community-mange visitor

center arranges a roster of tour guides and porters. During the Climbing
season there estimated visitors/ climbers arrival range 200-500 in every trail
within the 5 days of climbing with an average expenditures of P5, 000 per
tourist.
Furthermore, exceeding number of tourist can generate both positive and
negative impact on environmental and social-cultural values. One of its
negative impact on environment in the uncontrolled disposal of solid waste in
the area, second is the lack of disciplinary of the climber due to the insufficient

training/orientation. Generally there is an urgent need to deliver professional

training to people working as ecotourism guides and business/operators.
Lastly, the uncontrolled number of climbers during peak season which cannot
manage properly in accordance to the rules and regulation provided by the law.
The NIPAS Act (R.A 7586) also provided on-site establishment of
a PA Management Office (PAO) which is headed by a Protected Area
Superintendent (PASu) who oversee day-to-day management of Park. The PASu
serve as the senior staff of the DENR seconded to the PAO. PASu post holder
can play a critical role in the effectiveness of the PAMB and instrumental in
engaging Government, LGU, NGOs, Private Sector and Community thru
effective management of Economic, Social and Environments concern in
accordance to ecotourism management.