Economic valuation for sustainable mangrove ecosystems management in Bohol and Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

The study used the total economic value as a framework for estimating the values of the different uses of mangroves in Palawan and Bohol, Philippines. Market surveys were conducted to estimate the revenues from the major mangrove products collected in the two study sites. Contingent valuation method and travel cost method questionnaires were used in the survey to determine the biodiversity and recreational values (in Philippine pesos or PHP). Results of the market survey showed that the highest direct use value per year was estimated for Banacon site in Bohol with PHP 33.368 million per year as compared to Kamuning site in Palawan (PHP 25.521 million). The highest value of benefit for Banacon came from crab catch with PHP 13.23 million. Mollusk catch gave higher benefits to Kamuning, amounting to PHP 17.65 million. In terms of the values of benefits from shrimp and fish catch, the values for Banacon were higher than those in Kamuning site (PHP 8.06 million and PHP 6.38 million, respectively for Banacon, and PHP 4.32 million and PHP 0.16 million, respectively, for Kamuning). Nipa thatch was the source of the third highest value of benefit for Kamuning amounting to PHP 2.42 million. The result of the contingent valuation analysis done (combining the data sets from Palawan and Bohol) using a least-squares method (i.e., bid function approach) showed a mean willingness-to-pay amount of PHP 44/month per individual. The different factors affecting the willingness to pay (25% level) include education, income and information (new). In terms of the recreation/ecotourism value of mangroves, the estimated values in Banacon, Bohol, and Kamuning, Palawan, were PHP 83,079 and PHP 2769, respectively.