Local People's Perception on the Impacts and Importance of Ecotourism in Sabang, Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

The Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park (PPSRNP) was recently renowned as one of the new seven wonders of nature. The Puerto Princesa Underground River is reputed to be the longest navigable underground river in the world. This study examines the effects of ecotourism to the local community in terms of livelihood generation and influx of people. This study likewise examines the views of the local community on the impact of ecotourism and importance of natural resource to the tourism industry. This paper presents results from the systematically and randomly sampled surveyed householders and purposively selected interviewed key informants from sitio Sabang. Sabang is the location of the port where the tourists wait prior to being ferried to the Subterranean River. The result of the study revealed that undoubtedly the tourism industry in the area has been source of income for most of the householders. More establishments were recently established due to the growing number of visitors in the area. Consequently, the development of the ecotourism industry in Sabang led to the change of livelihood among local people due to higher compensation offered by the tourism industry. In addition, it had caused high influx of people because of work opportunity. The local people believed ecotourism in Sabang, Palawan is beneficial. However, environmental protection was seen least of the enumerated positive impacts against work opportunity and city development. Nevertheless, residents of Sabang have a high level of awareness and involvement in the protection of the environment. But because of too much dependence on tourism, most of the respondents became oblivious that the tourism in Subterranean River is a form of ecotourism and the environment is the key tourism resource. The concept of ecotourism is very evident from the local government and park coordinators but does not entirely transcend to all sectors in the community.