ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS OF UGONG ROCK ADVENTURES, BARANGAY TAGABINET, PUERTO PRINCESA CITY

Ronald Edilberto A. Ona; Agustin R. Miraflores, Jr.; Maria Rosario Aynon A. Gonzales

doi:10.51200/bimpeagajtsd.v6i1.1012

Authors

Ronald Edilberto A. Ona Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Agustin R. Miraflores, Jr. Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa, Philippines
Maria Rosario Aynon A. Gonzales Rosario Aynon A. Gonzales

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51200/bimpeagajtsd.v6i1.1012

Keywords:

Ugong Rock Adventures, environmental and socioeconomic impacts

Abstract

This study covers a qualitative appraisal of the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of Ugong Rock Adventure (URA) to the community and tourism site using household and key informant interviews; focus group discussions; reconnaissance survey and case history. Using a Before and After Scenario, community perception regarding environmental and socioeconomic impacts of URA was determined. Socioeconomic profiles of Barangay Tagabinet respondents and URA visitors were also compiled and analyzed to better understand the success and impact to the community and the people. Results showed that community members perceived a much improved socioeconomic status during and after URA operations compared with their earlier life before URA. In terms of environmental impacts, results showed a general perception of improvement in environmental quality during and after operations of URA compared with earlier conditions before the URA's operations.

References

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. 2013, Annual Report of Ugong Rock Adventures.

ABS-CBN Foundation Inc. 2013, Community based sustainable tourism project performance for CY 2012.

Bunce, L, Townsley, P, Pomeroy, R & Pollnac, R 2010, Socio-economic manual for coral reef management. Australian Institute of Marine Science, Australia.

Calanag, LA et al. 2012, Making Ecotourism Work: A manual on establishing community-based Ecotourism Enterprise in the Philippines. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Philippines. Profile and Physical Profile.

City Government of Puerto Princesa 2000, Initial Environmental Examination Report Ugong Rock Spelunking and Summit View Deck, Barangay Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City.

Deguit, ET, Smith, RP, Jatulan, WP & White, AT 2004, Participatory Coastal Resource assessment training guide. Coastal Resource Management Project, Development of Environment and Natural Resources, Cebu City, Philippines. 134 p.

National Ecotourism Steering Committee 2002, National Ecotourism Strategy. Philippines.

Prajapati, G, Tat, F & Walinga, M 2007, Tourism and community involvement in Palawan. Tourism stakeholdersâ€™ perspectives: The case of Palawan, The Philippines. NHTV Breda University of Applied Sciences. Available [Online]: http://www.academia.edu/ 2367575/Tourism_Stakeholders_ Perpectives_the_case_of_Palawan. [2013, February 3].

Regoniel, PA 2010, School in the seas: Reef conservation through people participation. [Online]. http://philippines.knoji.com/pambato-reef-conservation-highest-level-of-people-participation-at-work/. [12 February 2013].

Socrates, JA 2003, Baseline data of rock formation and geological assessment of Ugong Rock in Barangay Tagabinet, Puerto Princesa City. Technical Report.

Tagabinet Ugong Rock Tourism Services Cooperative 2013, Ugong Rock Caving and Zipline Adventures Project Profile.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 2001, Environmental Impacts of Tourism. [Online]. http://www.gdrc.org/uem/eco-tour/envi/one.html. [14 March 2014].