Cluster 4 Nature tour outdoor recreation Cluster 5 Ecotourism/ agri- based recreation Cluster 3 Marine, mangrove, beaches and CRM showcase Cluster 2 Nature tour, heritage & marine/water sports Cluster 6 Ecotourism and marine recreation Cluster 1 Beach resorts, marine, eco-cultural and heritage tour Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism Framework Plan of Bohol 20062006----20152015 A Joint Undertaking between the Province of Bohol thru PPDO, BEMO, BTO and German Development Service (DED), InWENT, UNDP-GEF-SGF thru SWCF, DENR & DOT Cluster 4 Nature tour outdoor recreation Cluster 5 Ecotourism/ agri- based recreation Cluster 3 Marine, mangrove, beaches and CRM showcase Cluster 2 Nature tour, heritage & marine/water sports Cluster 6 Ecotourism and marine recreation Cluster 1 Beach resorts, marine, eco-cultural and heritage tour Biodiversity Conservation and Ecotourism Framework Plan of Bohol Table of Contents Part 1 Framework Plan Foreword Governor’s Message Acknowledgments Executive Summary 1 Introduction 1.1 Background and Rationale 1 1.2 Planning Process 2 1.3 Definition of terms 3-6 2 Situation Analysis 2.1 Tourism Industry in Bohol 7-11 2.2 Biodiversity Conservation and Natural Resources 11-12 Management 2.3 Terrestrial Ecosystem 12-14 2.4 Freshwater Ecosystem 14 2.5 Marine Habitat and Coastal Resources 14-16 2.6 Protected Area 16 2.7 Information Management 17-18 3 Strategic Framework 3.1 Principles for Eco-tourism Development 18-19 3.2 Strategies for Eco-tourism 20 3.3 Strategies for Biodiversity 21 3.4 Development Programs 22 3.5 Product Development Areas 23-26 3.6 Networking 27 3.7 Policy Context and Advocacy 27-28 5 Conceptual Principles 5.1 Institutional Mechanism 29-35 5.2 Stakeholder Participation 35-40 5.3 Eco-tourism Product Development 40-52 5.4 Guidelines and Standards for Biodiversity Conservation and Eco-tourism Development 53-64 5.5 Marketing and Promotion 64-68 5.6 Monitoring and Evaluation 68-71 5.7 Financial and Resource Mobilization 71-75 5.8 Legislation and Control Measures 75-76 5.9 Program of Action 76-77 Part II Annex I Annex II Tables and Diagrams Table 1 Kinds of Animals and Number of Species Found In Bohol Diagram 1 Bohol Tourism Office Organizational Chart Diagram 2 Product Development Model Matrix 1 Key Components and Stages of the Integrated Eco-tourism Product Development Process Table 2 Top Four Visitor Arrivals by Country of Residence National Figures, 1997 Table 3 Reasons for Visiting the Philippines, 1997 Table 4 Information Sources, National Figures, 1997 Table 5 Annual Arrivals in Bohol, Years 2002-2006 Table 6 Top Tourist Arrivals, Foreign and Domestic, 2006 Table 7 Preferred Top Activities by Gender in Percentage Table 8 Financing Mechanisms and Possible Sources of Revenues Acronyms and Abbreviations BBRC Bohol Biodiversity Research Center BEC Bohol Environment Code of 1998 BEMO Bohol Environment Management Office BET-C Bohol Eco-tourism Club CCAD Center for Culture and Arts Development CIARS Cave Impact Assessment Rating System CRM Coastal Resource Management CVSCAFT Central Visayas State College of Agriculture Fishery and Technology DepEd Department of Education ECC Environmental Compliance Certificate EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EO Executive Order EIS Environmental Impact Statement ETWG Eco-tourism Technical Working Group FOCAS Focused Community Assistance Scheme GA 21 Global Agenda 21 ITA International Treaties and Agreements LGUs Local Government Units MPA Marine Protected Areas MPAMT Marine Protected Area Management Teams MTPDP Medium Term Philippine Development Plan NEDC National Eco-tourism Development Committee NES National Eco-tourism Strategy NESC National Eco-tourism Steering Committee NGAs National Government Agencies NIPAS National Integrated Protected Area System PA 21 Philippine Agenda 21 PACAP Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program PCSD-NEDA Philippine Council for Sustainable Development- National Economic Development Authority PEBCC Provincial Eco-tourism and Biodiversity Conservation Committee or Council POs People’s Organizations PTC Provincial Tourism Council RECs Regional Eco-tourism Committees TDAs Tourism Development Areas UNCSD United Nations Commissions on Sustainable Development FOREWORD The formulation of this document is a significant and highly relevant initiative for a province that distinguishes itself as a top tourist destination with its wide array of ecological wonders and richness of flora and fauna both in the terrestrial and underwater environments. This framework plan is likewise a local landmark response to the National Eco- tourism Strategy (NES) and Program of the Philippine Government as expressed in Executive Order 111 that establishes the guidelines for eco-tourism development in the country. It rests upon the policy of the state to “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. It is worthy to note that the Province of Bohol has been privileged to host the First National Eco-tourism Congress in 1999 where eco-tourism and its role in sustainable development of natural and cultural resources were defined. More so, Bohol has been identified as one of the key sites that became the focus of concerted efforts to develop eco-tourism in the country, which were selected based on established criteria under the NES. To some extent, non-government organizations (NGOs) have initiated the development of community-based eco-tourism destinations in the province that have now started to establish their market niches such as the dolphin and whale- watching tour in Pamilacan Island (Baclayon), the Cambuhat River and Village Tour in Buenavista, the Candijay Mangrove Adventure Tour or the variety of adventure tours in Rajah Sikatuna National Park. More and more projects have come about in other municipalities as the economic and conservation-enabling benefits of eco-tourism enterprises have surfaced to the fore and each area teems with potential and prospects as an attraction. This is in addition to the Boholanos’ inherent cultural trait and pride to welcome visitors with warmth and hospitality. Definitely, municipal local government units and the private sector, most importantly the investor will greatly benefit from this endeavor. JUANITO G. CAMBANGAY Provincial Planning and Development Coordinator MESSAGE Being privileged to stand at the helm of governance for the development of a piece of island paradise called Bohol, it is my distinct honor and pride to present this framework plan to investors, tourism business sector, municipal executives, planners, and NGOs in the province. The Eco-tourism and Biodiversity Conservation Framework Plan embodies the hopes and aspirations of the Boholano people and our partners coming from the government and private sectors on how Bohol should be developed, managed and conserved for the sustainable enjoyment of future generations. This pioneer initiative document is very significant as our beloved province is poised to achieve its position as the prime eco-cultural tourist destination in the country. I am humbled and excited that our provincial government has been able to produce this document that provides a highly useful guide for eco-tourism development and biodiversity conservation of our distinctive natural and cultural assets that make us a choice destination in the country. Consistent also with the priority policy thrust of the Provincial Government to reduce Bohol’s poverty incidence in the next 10 years, I have seen the development of eco-tourism ventures and enterprises as a strategy towards pro- poor growth. Thus, I am encouraging all concerned sectors to engage in eco- tourism development and the best reference to do this is this very relevant framework plan. I am therefore most grateful to the national agencies, funding partners, non- government organizations, private sector, and municipal LGUs who extended financial and technical assistance and support in the crafting of this plan. ERICO B. AUMENTADO Governor ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The development of this framework plan has been initiated through a joint undertaking between the Soil and Water Conservation Foundation (SWCF) and the Bohol Provincial Government represented by the Provincial Planning and Development Office (PPDO), the Bohol Environment Management Office (BEMO), and the Bohol Tourism Office (BTO). A partnership with the Department of Tourism(DOT) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) together with the Protected Area and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB) helped to complete this document. Technical support was provided by the German Development Service (DED), and SWCF while InWent, an international capacity-building agency, the UNDP-GEF-SGF Program and the Small-Scale Funding Program of the European Union coursed through SWCF, made available funds for the technical trainings and workshops. A multi-sectoral Ecotourism Technical Working Group (ETWG) was created composed of the regional and provincial government agencies such as DENR- PAWB, PENRO, DOT, PPDO, BEMO and BTO, representatives from NGOs like the SWCF, FCB Foundation, PROCESS ,and the Bohol Marine Triangle Project/PADAYON Bohol Marine Triangle Management Council, and from the private sector, put in their expertise and efforts in the formulation of this plan. Executive Summary Eco-tourism has become a buzzword not only in the country for its rich ecological and cultural resources but more particularly