How it started
In 1991, the Department of Tourism (DOT) in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Tourism Organization (WTO), prepared the Philippine Tourism Master Plan (TMP). Among the objectives established by the TMP is the positioning of the Philippines as a world-class tourism destination under the guiding principle of sustainable tourism development. In 1992, a National Tourism Congress took up this theme and the concept of “ecotourism” was introduced in the Philippines. Between 1994 and 1998, a series of regional seminars discussed the sustainable tourism and ecotourism concepts. This work culminated in a 1998 technical workshop during which the elements of a sustainable tourism development framework were identified and key issues defined.
On 17 June 1999, Executive Order (EO) 111 was issued. This established a formal organizational structure for the development of ecotourism in the Philippines. EO 111 created a National Ecotourism Development Council (NEDC), composed of the Secretaries of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Finance, Education, the Secretary-General of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) and representatives from the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Under the NEDC, a National Ecotourism Steering Committee (NESC) and Regional Ecotourism Committees (RECs) were established to implement programs and activities approved by NEDC. EO111 also called for an Ecotourism Technical Working Group (ETWG) to provide technical and administrative support to the NEDC and the NESC. All of these bodies are referred to collectively in this report as the “EO 111 Bodies.”
As articulated in EO 111, the following policies served as bases for proposing a system to promote and develop ecotourism in the Philippines:
- The State shall develop and promote sustainable tourism while enjoining the participation of the Filipino people in enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine economy; and,
- The State shall ensure the sustainable use, development, management, protection and conservation of the country’s environment and natural resources and cultural heritage for the enjoyment of the present and future generations.
The EO111, therefore, provides for the formulation of a national ecotourism strategy and program for the promotion and development of ecotourism in the Philippines.
The National Ecotourism Strategy (NES) shall be prepared to provide an integrated management plan, which shall warrant a comprehensive direction for the future of ecotourism in the country by recognizing issues and problems for its sustainable development and recommend feasible approaches in addressing these issues. The Strategy shall be formulated in consultation with concerned stakeholders in the environment and tourism sectors including indigenous peoples and local communities to be affected by ecotourism development. Other specific and urgent national imperatives to be addressed by the NES are:
- Diversification of the Philippine tourism product mix in the light of current downturn in visitor arrivals;
- Spreading tourism benefits to rural areas not only for employment generation and poverty alleviation but also for the sustainability of the tourism industry;
- Provision of an economic rationale for conservation of natural and cultural sites to ensure the long-term sustainability of conservation management systems;
- Promotion of wholesome styles of recreation in outdoor environments and provision of conservation awareness and education programs outside the classrooms; and,
- Creation of models that will demonstrate ways for local communities to engage in non-exploitative and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
To complement and support the NES, a National Ecotourism Program (NEP) shall be developed. The NEP shall encompass the major aspects of ecotourism, which are 1) development, management and protection of identified ecotourism sites; 2) product enhancement and development; 3) environmental education and information campaign; 4) support programs for community stewardship and livelihood development.
The First National Ecotourism Congress held in Bohol on 27-29 October 1999 defined
ecotourism and its role in the promotion of sustainable development, management,
protection and conservation of the country’s environment, natural resources and
cultural heritage.
