This document provides a case study on the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) and their experiences organizing and managing the Bojo River Eco-cultural Tour in Cebu, Philippines. It discusses how BAETAS was established in 2009 by the local government and community to address environmental degradation and livelihood issues. Since then, the eco-tour operated by BAETAS has seen 40,000 visitors and earned 10 million pesos in its first 3 years. The document examines BAETAS' conception, preparation, organizational profile, and contributions to its members through interviews with members and key stakeholders.

1. The People behind the River Tour:
A case study on the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association’s experiences in
organizing and managing the Bojo River Eco-cultural Tour
In partial fulfillment of the requirements of CD 192
This paper is submitted by:
Langit, Nina Tatiana B.
Mabbayad, Donna Hesed F.
Mendoza, Isabella Ann F.
29 May 2015

2. TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
INTRODUCTION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Research Problem. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND OBJECTIVES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Tourism in the Philippines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Alternative Tourism Approach: Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Sustainable Tourism in the Philippines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Community- Based Natural Resource Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Bojo River Eco-tour and the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . 23
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Researcher’s Bias . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Methodological Orientation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Research Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Selection of Research Participants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Data Collection Strategies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Data Analysis Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Verification and Reporting of Findings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
PRESENTATION OF DATA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Conception . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Organizational Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
The People behind the River Tour . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
ANALYSIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
SYNTHESIS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
RECOMMENDATION FOR FURTHER STUDIES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
INSIGHTS AND LESSONS LEARNED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
BIBLIOGRAPHY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
APPENDIX . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

3. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research would not have been possible without the people who helped and supported us
throughout the past year. We would like to thank the following people for making our research
experience a wonderful journey:
To the community of Aloguinsan, thank you for welcoming us to your home during our visits
to Cebu. We would like to thank Mayor Cynthia Moreno and Sir Boboi Costas for taking the time to
tell us about the struggles and rewards of ecotourism; to Ate Doreen and Creshu Saguisabal for being
available to translate during interviews; to Grandma Pinang and Ate Liklik, for giving us a place to call
‘home’ in Cebu; to Kuya Aneng and the other habal habal drivers for making sure we got around
safely; and of course to the BAETAS organization, especially the 9 members that participated in the
research: Kuya Rudney, Ate Jamaila, Kuya Noel, Ate Villa, Ate Linda, Tatay Paul, Tatay Timoteo,
Tatay Primitivo and Kuya Gerry, for reminding us how to love the environment and trusting us with
their stories of challenges and triumphs.
To our friends and families, thank you for the constant love and support; to the Langit,
Mabbayad and Mendoza families, thank you for the financial and emotional support that carried us
through the constant travels, stressful all-nighters, and empty stomachs; and to our peers in CD who
see the things we overlook and whose input has helped us revise and improve our research.
To Sir Matt, we can’t even begin to express our gratitude for your guidance. Thank for the
patience and understanding it took to make sense of our web of ideas; for constantly motivating us
and believing in the story that we wanted to tell; and lastly thank you for the values you’ve instilled in
us not just as a research adviser but as a mentor and a friend.
And to God, for everything. You deserve all the glory. Thank you.

4. 1
ABSTRACT
This is a study on how the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) was
established and how they operate today. The purpose of this research is to understand the
significance of having an organization at the ‘village level’ involved in the local tourism venture.
Necessarily, it looks into the experiences of the BAETAS in organizing and managing the ecotour;
the contributions of being a part of BAETAS to its members’ knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits;
and the implications on tourism of the involvement of an organization such as the BAETAS. This
study was conducted as a result of the researchers’ observation of the distinct qualities of the
tourism industry in Brgy. Bojo, Aloguinsan, Cebu. It was because of these initial observations that
they sought to look further into the case of the BAETAS, and share what they have gathered with
other people.
The research on the ground was conducted over a six-day period. The methods the
researchers employed to collect the data were: key informant interviews, semi-structured group
interviews and a focus group discussion. The purpose of the key informant interview was to gather
substantial data on the subject mentioned above from reliable people outside the BAETAS. To ask
questions of the members however, the researchers went for semi-structured interviews and a
culminating focus group discussion. As key informants, the researchers interviewed tourism
consultant Sir Boboi Costas, former Enterprise Development Specialist for Coastal Development
Ms. Monet Flores and Aloguinsan Mayor, Hon. Cynthia Moreno. The researchers also interviewed
and facilitated the FGD of the BAETAS members Kuya Rudney, Ate Jamaila, Tatay Primitivo, Kuya
Gerry, Tatay Timoteo, Nanay Linda, Ate Villa, Tatay Paulino and Kuya Noel.

5. 2
With the purpose of validating the gathered information, the researchers triangulated the
data from the different sources mentioned above.
In addition to the information the researchers obtained about the area’s tourism industry
that are in line with the purpose of the study, other remarkable findings have come to light. These
unexpected findings include the value of Community Organizing in the entire tourism venture.
With this, the researchers invite more people, especially those involved in Development
work to explore deeper into the connection of Ecotourism and the Community Development
discipline. When done according to the principles espoused by CD, ecotourism (with its goals of
economic development and environmental preservation) can lead to empowerment and the
improvement of the people’s quality of life.

6. 3
INTRODUCTION
The Philippine Government declares tourism as a necessary element of national economy
and an industry of national interest and importance which must be harnessed to generate
investment, foreign exchange and employment as well as to continue molding the sense of national
pride for Filipinos (R.A. 9593). That this is in our law is enough reason for us to gather that the
Philippines has a strong dependency on the tourism industry. This is a sound observation since our
country is rich in natural resources, the very resource tourism is dependent upon (Robinson, 19--).
During the 1960s until the start of the 1990s, the NTOs (National Tourism Organizations) took
charge of planning, regulating and implementing policies of tourism for ASEAN countries. Due to
these efforts, the rapid growth and industrialization of tourism spurred in these countries. By the
year 2000 onwards, tourist arrivals in the country reached up to 1.797 Million while tourist receipts
reached 2.33 Billion (in US dollars). But its development hasn’t been without major drawbacks.
Tourism in the Philippines, although economically beneficial, has cost the country plenty. The way
tourism is being practiced at the moment has led to the degradation of natural resources and the
exploitation of locals to say the least. For instance, in Boracay, a popular tourist destination in the
Philippines, the few remaining Ati families (the original residents) in Boracay, was featured in
Boracay’s Master Plan as a possible ethnic attraction. In the same island, tourism has been identified
to cause overcrowding, environmental damage, economic leakage, and the increase of control of the
industry by multinational corporations (Nicholson, 1997).
However, both our tourist markets and the Philippine tourism industry itself have become
more aware of the negative environmental and social costs associated with tourism development.
The country has thus begun to recognize the need to adopt new development approaches in order

7. 4
to come up with tourist products that are environmentally sensitive and economically viable
(Alampay, 2005). The tourism sector aimed to reform their approach to tourism development
through the introduction of Sustainable Development. Along with other ASEAN countries like
Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, the Philippines incorporated concepts of sustainable tourism
development in their National Tourism Plans (Cruz, 2003).
But why put effort into looking for alternative tourism development paradigms instead of
just putting an end to tourism in the Philippines? As the largest global industry, tourism is seen in
the Philippines, and in many other developing countries as an important means to earn foreign
exchange and a major medium for economic development (Nicholson, 1997). Undoubtedly, tourism
holds the promise of increased employment and income opportunities, particularly for Filipinos
living in the coastal and rural areas of the country (Alampay, 2005).
The current Philippine National Tourism Development Plan set from 2011-2016 aims to
have "an environmentally and socially responsible tourism that delivers more widely distributed
income and employment opportunities." (Department of Tourism, 2011) However, the
consequences brought about by poor planning and management of tourism sites still prevail;
considering that we are halfway through the plan. Given that the consequences are clearly taking toll
on our country's resources, it is high time that Sustainable Tourism be institutionalized in order for
the Philippines to continue practicing and benefiting such economic endeavors within the carrying
capacities of its natural, physical and social resources.
There can be benefits from tourism both socio-economic and environmental: the challenge
is to find developmental models which enable both the control of the development process, and the

8. 5
benefits, to be shared, more equitably within host communities. In this way, local people can engage
in tourism development as socially and economically empowered participants rather than as
‘commodities’ (Nicholson, 1997).
In 2009, a community in Cebu, Philippines initiated a tourism project that transformed a
coastal area into an ecotourism destination. The local government unit, led by Mayor Cynthia
Moreno, organized the local community and established the Bojo River Eco-cultural Tour, an
ecotourism venture that has been operated and maintained for the past 6 years. According to Mayor
Moreno, the purpose of the project was to address environmental (degradation of natural resources)
and social (livelihood and poverty) issues being faced by the community. Since its establishment, the
Bojo River Eco-tour has racked up a revenue of 10 million pesos, and approximately 40,000
registered tourist visitors within the first 3 years (2009-2012) (Gitgano, 2013).
The eco-tour is known to be a project initiated and funded 100% by the local government
unit and remains to this day, a community-driven environment management project that is run by
the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) (Moreno, (n.d)); an organization of local
residents that participate and contribute to the tourism endeavor. The project development involved
numerous types of capability building workshops and ecotourism seminars in order to educate and
empower the community (Codilla, 2013). The workshops opened numerous job opportunities,
creating a community of individuals educated on the value of their surroundings (tour guides) and
responsible for their environmental preservation (watchmen). The seminars provided in-depth
knowledge for the preparatory phase which included thorough inventory and inspection of the
natural resources within the site and seminars on the importance of environmental preservation
(ibid).

9. 6
As CD students, the researchers feel that tourism is an under-explored field in the area of
Community Development, despite the fact that, over the past few years, tourism has been a key
industry in the development of the Philippines. This research is a descriptive case study on the
experience of the members of the BAETAS in organizing and in managing the Bojo River Eco-
cultural Tour because the researchers want to find the contributions of being a member to their
knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits in order to understand the significance of having an organized
community involved in tourism practice.
RESEARCH PROBLEM
Upon initial visit to the community, the researchers have observed that the tourism venture
seems to have a positive effect on the members of the BAETAS; they seem confident,
knowledgeable, and organized. By the end of the tour, it became evident that, as a community, the
BAETAS are attuned to their relationship with the environment because of the ecotour—as
evidenced by one members commenting that it helped him become more mindful of how he made
use of natural resources. Because of these observations, the researchers chose to study the BAETAS
in order to understand their experiences in organizing and managing the Bojo River Eco-cultural
Tour. The research will also include an in-depth study of the changes in the organization's
knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits that arose from their involvement in the tourism venture. The
researchers aim to further analyze the significance of having an organized community involved in
tourism practice.

10. 7
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In order to understand the significance of having an organized community involved in tourism
practice, the researchers aim to answer the following questions:
1. What are the experiences of members of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association in
organizing and managing the ecotour?
2. What are the contributions of being a member of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association to their knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits?
3. What is the significance of Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association's involvement in
tourism?
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The main objective of this research is to understand the significance of having an organized
community involved in tourism practice. More specifically, the researchers aim:
● To find out what the experiences of the members of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association were in organizing and in managing the ecotour.
● To find out what the contributions of being a member of the BAETAS were to their
knowledge, skills, attitudes and habits.
● To analyze the significance of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association's involvement in
tourism.

11. 8
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Tourism in the Philippines
Tourism in the Philippines got national attention and started to flourish during the Marcos
regime, with the formation of the Department of Trade and Tourism in 1973. The focus was on
promoting the country as a major tourist destination with the department pursuing an aggressive
international tourism policy (Nicholson, 1997). The government went as far as declaring an entire
island as a ‘Tourism Preserve’ like in Boracay, where the initial plan was to relocate the local
population and close off the entire island for tourism. Since then “the government has played a
pivotal role in exploitative and oppressive forms of tourism. Adhering to the policies of
globalization being peddled by the World Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund and
World Bank, the government is pushing tourism as an engine of economic growth, employment,
and the promotion of indigenous culture and history; however, they are actually advancing the
interests of Trans-National Corporations (TNCs) in airline and shipping industries, hotel and
restaurant industries, real-estate development, and travel agencies.” (Peace for Life, 2008)
Undoubtedly, tourism holds the promise of increased employment and income
opportunities, particularly for Filipinos living in the coastal and rural areas of the country. Yet it is an
industry built upon the most fragile of natural and cultural environments, where the most
inconsequential and innocent of human gestures can easily wreak havoc on the site’s resources. This
is the challenge of sustainable tourism development (Alampay, 2005). The popular way of practicing
tourism has been blamed for overcrowding in tourist destinations. Environmental damage has also
been pinpointed as a direct result of this practice, as well as economic leakage (which means tourist

12. 9
revenues leaving the country) and the control of the industry by multinational corporations. The
increase in number of corporation-owned tourist attractions has led to the increase in prices which
has resulted in the dwindling number of non-mass tourists (like backpackers, for example), the
outcome of which is tourism that is not good for anything but economic gain.
It is ironic that in a world increasingly controlled by a monetary economy of global scale, we
generally do not know the real monetary worth of the basic natural resources upon which our global
and local economies depend. In a very short time we could find ourselves in a situation of increasing
poverty as the vicious cycle of poverty and environmental degradation proceeds at an alarming pace
(White, 1998).
“The national tourism industry has been largely dependent on the natural resources for its
continued growth and existence...Although given little importance, the Philippine environment is the
bread and butter of the Philippine tourism industry” (Libosada, 1998).
Alternative Tourism Approach: Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism
Over the course of tourism development, in light of the flaws seen in mass tourism
implementation, various forms of alternative tourism styles have risen. The necessity of tourism to
lean on the principles of Sustainable Development became dominant, encouraging tourism ventures
to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs (United Nations Commission on Environment and Development, 1987). One such
form of tourism is Sustainable Tourism Development (STD), a type of alternative tourism that seeks
to fill the gaps in mass tourism; it is defined as such,

13. 10
Sustainable tourism development meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while
protecting and enhancing opportunity for the future. It is envisaged as leading to
management of all resources in such a way that economic, social and aesthetic needs can be
fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity, essential ecological processes, and biological
diversity and life support systems. (World Travel and Tourism Council, 1998)
Sustainable Tourism Development is a form of tourism that takes into consideration various
dimensions of society, encompassing the environmental, economic, socio-cultural, and political
when planning and organizing tourism projects in order to develop and benefit communities
holistically (Urquico, 1998). This approach is often seen as tourism packaged with advocacies as it
includes a more in-depth analysis of the needs and capacities of communities (ibid).
One of the most popular aspects of sustainable tourism development is its dominant bias for
the environment. Although sometimes referred to separately in literature, this aspect of sustainable
tourism is embodied by the practice of what is known as Ecotourism. Signed in June of 2008, a joint
DENR-DOT memorandum Circular entitled Guide Laws for Ecotourism Development in the
Philippines defines Ecotourism as “a low-impact, environmentally-sound and community-
participatory tourism activity in a given natural environment that enhances the conservation of
biophysical understanding and education and yields socio-economic benefits to the concerned
community.” (ibid.)
But as in sustainable development, there is no single definition that can be provided to
represent ecotourism adopted by bodies involved in conservation and tourism. Here are some of the
other definitions as cited by Libosada (1998):

14. 11
The…purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the culture and natural history of the
environment taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem while producing economic
opportunities that make conservation of natural resources beneficial to local people.
– Ecotourism Society
It has …eluded fine definition because it is a complex notion which ambitiously attempts to
describe the activity, set forth a philosophy and espouse a model of development. Ecotourism
is not the same as people turning to environment, but rather an ‘ethic’ of how to turn to the
natural environment and a way of doing it… – Karen Ziffer (Conservation International)
Ecotourism encourages non-consumptive use of natural resources through activities that
contribute directly to the conservation of the environment as well as the economic well-being of
local residents (Ziffer, 1989:6, as cited in Chawla, 2003). Ecotourism practices follow 4 fundamental
pillars: “(1) minimum the environmental impacts; (2) minimum impact on – and maximum respect
for – host cultures; (3) maximum economic benefits to the host country’s grassroots; and (4)
maximum ‘recreational’ satisfaction to participating tourists” (Hetzer, 1965, as cited in Chawla,
2003). The Pacific Asia Travel Association, one of the biggest international tourism organizations,
produced a Code for Environmentally Responsible Tourism that embodies the 4 pillars mentioned.
Here it is in summary:
A form of tourism inspired primarily by the natural history of an area, including its
indigenous cultures. The ecotourist visits relatively undeveloped areas in the spirit of
appreciation, participation and sensitivity. The ecotourist practices a non-consumptive use of

15. 12
wildlife and natural resources and contributes to the visited area through labor or financial
means aimed at directly benefitting the conservation issues in general, and to the specific
needs of people. It also implies a managed approach by the host country or region which
commits itself to establishing and maintaining the site with the participation of the local
residents, marketing them appropriately, enforcing regulations, and using the proceeds of the
enterprise to fund the area’s land management as well as community development.
(Libosada, 1998)
Tourism further developed, incorporating not only a bias for the environment, but an
equally strong bias for the welfare and development of the communities residing in the areas.
Community-based Ecotourism (CBE) is an approach to tourism that aims to empower local
communities to lead tourism initiatives that both, benefit the community and preserve the
environment. Community Based Ecotourism is defined as follows,
Ecotourism enterprises that are owned and managed by the community. Furthermore,
community based ecotourism implies that a community is taking care of the natural
resources in order to gain income through operating a tourism enterprise and using that
income to better their lives. It involves conservation, business enterprise and community
development. (Sproule 1996:3, as cited in Chawla, 2003)
CBE projects are cooperative ventures between local communities and their local
government units. Tourism is an industry whose products are the resources present in the area, be it
social, natural or physical resources. The participation and cooperation of local communities are
therefore critical to ensure that endeavors are operated in a manner that allows appropriate

16. 13
utilization and development of those assets (Murphy, 1985 as cited in Uriquico, 1998). Such
redistribution of control and decision making is a concrete and viable diversion from mass tourism
as it allows tourism projects to receive insight and approval from residents, who are familiar with the
environment, instead of external investors (Chawla, 2003). This approach to tourism, while
empowering communities to be self-reliant and established, “helps consumers become producers,
users become providers, and employees become owners of enterprise” (Joppe 1996: 476, as cited in
Chawla, 2003). Thus allowing the people to not only be active participants in the development and
preservation of their natural environment, but to receive the benefits to livelihoods and lifestyles as
well.
One author provides us with guiding principles for ecotourism (1994) which presents the
whole concept in a nutshell. According to Wight (as cited in Matthews, 2002), Ecotourism should:
 Not degrade the resource and should be developed in an environmentally sound manner
 Provide long-term benefits to the resource, to the local community and industry (benefits
may be conservation, scientific, social, cultural or economic)
 Provide first-hand, participatory and enlightening experiences
 Involve education amongst all parties - local communities, government, non-governmental
organizations, industry and tourists (before, during and after the trip)
 Encourage all-party recognition of the intrinsic values of the resource
 Involve acceptance of the resource on its own terms, and its recognitions of its limits, which
involves supply-oriented management

17. 14
 Promote understanding and involve partnerships between many players, which could include
government, non-governmental organizations, industry, scientists, and locals (both before
and during operations)
 Promote moral and ethical responsibilities and behavior towards the natural and cultural
environment by all players
However, it is important to note that “ecotourism should not be represented as the
alternative to mass tourism” (Wight, 1994). It [ecotourism] should not be seen as the opposite of
mass tourism; rather the concept of ecotourism can be incorporated in any tourism project or
activity. It is important to keep this definition of ecotourism in mind so as not to continue
confusion. (Libosada, 1998)
Sustainable Tourism in the Philippines
Saarinen discusses three traditions of sustainability in tourism studies: Resource-based
tradition, Activity-based tradition and Community-based tradition. Of the three traditions, this study
highlights the Community-based tradition of Sustainability in the context of tourism practice. This
incorporates participatory approaches in tourist and integrates social justice, social, and pro-poor
tourism. These concepts all "…contribute to the local bases and especially to the needs of the
marginalized people." In this sense, "community" is taken to mean not only the hosts, but also other
actors and groups involved in the tourism process. The fact that these groups are not represented
equally (in terms of participatory processes) makes the concept of sustainability in the context of
tourism all the more challenging. (Saarinen, 2006)

18. 15
Furthermore, the community-based tradition insinuates that the concept of sustainability is a
negotiation process; meaning that it is socially constructed. It describes sustainability as the
maximum levels of the known or perceived impacts of tourism that are permissible in a
certain time-space context before the negative impacts are considered to be too disturbing
from the perspectives of specific social, cultural, political or economic actors who possess
sufficient power over the chosen indicators and criteria (ibid.)
Ultimately, the goal of community-based tradition is to empower the main actors involved in
development discourses and practices; but due to its constructivist nature, it is hard to dismiss the
fact that the limitations of this tradition is associated with the context of power relations. But, again,
by empowering people, the limits of tourism can find a middle ground; setting limits that can serve
to better benefit the local people.
Because of the fact that local tour operator in rural areas or isolated area communities have
generally dominant western models to pattern their tourism operations to, they have this tendency to
exploit their own communities as how the dominant models would. However, McDonald and
Wearing claim that, "…due to the changing discourses on the role of rural and isolated area
communities and the increased availability of economic access, there are now expanding
opportunities for these communities to explore tourism as a business." (Wearing, 2010). A
significant evolution of ecotourism in the Philippines is the concept of Community Ecotourism…in
areas where ecotourism can be developed as an alternative or additional livelihood. (Libosada, 1998)

19. 16
In an interview with Ma. Monette Flores, former Enterprise Development Specialist for
Coastal Development, having dealt directly with the development of the National Ecotourism Plan
of the Philippines in 2001, Ecotourism in the Philippine context implies the involvement and
participation of local communities (M. Flores, 2014). Much like international definitions of
ecotourism, she defined ecotourism as responsible operations with minimal impact where direct and
primary benefits are towards the community’s wellbeing and economy. The standard for developing
ecotourism ventures in the Philippines, can be summarized into three main components (ibid.):
1. Identifying outstanding attractions to feature, that show culture through the activities and
products - separating itself from the popular practices of commercialized mass tourism, this
form of tourist attraction is geared towards imprinting and extending bits of local culture
through activities and sightseeing that tell stories and highlight local ecosystems.
2. Finding a niche market through accessibility and marketability - this involves answering all
standard tourism needs such as affordable costing, transportation and accommodations. .
3. Ensuring there are direct benefits to the community - this involves creating a system that
allows communities to gain profit as an organization as well as compensation for their
contributions. (ibid.)
After having established various tourism ventures around the Philippines since 2001, Ma’am
Flores relayed that ecotourism serves not only as an attraction for revenue but an avenue to
showcase and protect pristine natural areas in the Philippines. This is a feat that is accomplished and
sustained by involving the local communities living within the pre-designated natural areas by
DENR (ibid.).

20. 17
“Ecotourism...is a concept that gives justification for the industry to be a major factor in the
development of the country and a player in the protection of the environment and its endemic
culture.” (Libosada, 1998). But as far as community-based tourism practices in the Philippines are
concerned, the researchers were able to gather scant amount of literature. One case study is the
"Mount Pinatubo livelihood from tourism project", initiated by the DOT Regional Office. The said
office assisted a community in Tarlac to form a cooperative that aims to hold guided tours to Mount
Pinatubo's Crater Lake. Capacity-building trainings on tour guiding and hosting for the homestay
program were also facilitated by DOT. Another remarkable aspect of this project is that it created
livelihood endeavors for the community of the Aetas – who are set as guides and porters. Tourists
are required to pay fees for the maintenance of the public toilets and for the conservation of the
site's trekking routes. This on-going project was able to generate enough funds to build a multi-
purpose hall for its local residents. (Cruz, 2003)
Another case study on sustainable tourism practices in the Philippines is the Butanding
Interaction Tours. Whale sharks (butanding), Donsol River's main attraction, were once hunted for
their flesh. Fortunately, the WWF (World Wide Fund), the Department of Tourism and the local
government unit's intervention prevented the extinction of these creatures through passing
ordinances that prohibited hunting. Furthermore, the WWF administered trainings for the BIO
(Butanding Interaction Officers) and consequently encouraged research-based interactions with the
butanding. The Department of Tourism, on the other hand, helped by providing trainings for the
homestay program. This practice led to the local residents having alternative income sources (by
being homestay providers, BIOS, boat operators and etc.) (Cruz, 2003)

21. 18
Community- Based Natural Resource Management
Community- based natural resource management was defined by Child and Lyman (as cited
in Fernandez-Gimenez, n.d.) as "a process by which landholders gain access and use rights to, or
ownership of, natural resources; collaboratively and transparently plan and participate in the
management of resource use; and achieve financial and other benefits from stewardship." Simply
put, CBNRM is based on the premise that the goal of sustainable development is more achievable
when the community is managing the resources. Consequently, because the community manages the
resources, their levels of empowerment and democracy are heightened (Gollin & Kho, 2002).
CBNRM is one management approach geared towards sustainable resource management. Under
CBNRM are initiatives like “community forestry, community fisheries, participatory land use and
planning, community protected area and joint forest management. (CBNRM Learning Initiative,
2005)” Additonally, concepts such as community-based resource management, community-based
coastal resource management, community forestry and co-management also relate to CBNRM; but
their definitions would be based on their context and location. (ibid.)
Another characteristic of CBNRM that made it necessary to pursue is that the community is
made accountable for their use of natural resources; having legal rights and economic incentives
over it (natural resources). Consequently, the stakeholders (community members) become the main
implementers while being assisted and monitored by outside players (technical services) (USAID, as
cited in CBNRM Learning Initiative, 2005). CBNRM is essential in a sense that it helps address the
need and aspiration to achieve biodiversity conservation while at the same time providing and
securing livelihoods of the stakeholders, especially the poor and marginalized sector. Moreover,
protecting biodiversity may lead to advances in development, especially in the long run. When it is

22. 19
attached or integrated to other industries such as tourism, it [ecotourism] increases the benefits and
incentives of conserving the environment. (CBNRM Learning Initiative, 2005)
CBNRM is more likely to prove successful than other management approaches because it
takes into deep consideration the values and cultures of community. Because of this, the capacities
and motivation to preserve the environment yields greater. However, it is important to note that
communities may either oppose or push for CBNRM, like the possibility of short or long term
repercussions on their livelihoods or the reaffirmation or reinforcement of the community’s identity
and sustainability (ibid.).
CBNRM arose as a movement in the 70s and 80s as an offshoot of the prevalence of
participatory development model and the integration of sustainable development. This agenda also
stemmed from the recognition (especially from the environmentalists' point of view) that the rural
poor has been disenfranchised and cost a great deal to their welfare, and furthermore to their natural
resource base. Additionally, this was brought about by sheer frustration of the state's inadequacy and
incompetence in managing the natural resources - due to lack of financial and/ or human resources,
corruption and lack of political will (ibid.) The role of the government, then, is to facilitate the
participation of the stakeholders, instead of having direct control of the natural resources. (CBNRM
Learning Initiative, 2005)
According to Gollin and Kho (2002), the Philippines has progressed in terms of
democratizing environmental governance, being a pioneer in the devolution of control of rural
development to farmers. Aside from serving as a model for other Asian countries when the country
experimented on participatory irrigation in the 1970s, their successes on community-based coastal

23. 20
resource management on Apo and Sumilon islands were looked up to as well (ibid). This would
imply that the institutionalization of CBNRM, or more specifically Community- Based Coastal
Resource Management (for the purpose of this study) helped a great deal in the development of the
Philippines, especially in the 70s and 80s; which is why it is important to note how it is done at the
national, as well as local levels.
The Bojo River Ecotour and the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS)
As the second biggest tourism province of the Philippines (Cacho, 2010), there has been a
constant push from the Department of Tourism (DOT) to develop the tourism industry in Southern
Cebu (Dagooc, 2012). In response to the Provincial Government's call for tourism, the Municipality
of Aloguinsan, located 58 kilometers southwest of Cebu City, responded with the development of
the Bojo River Ecotour of Barangay Bojo (Basilan, 2013). The project was instigated by the LGU led
by then Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno (ibid.) in order to meet two specific needs of the community:
1) as a "thrust to preserve the abundant natural resources." and 2) to serve as "an additional source
of income" (ibid.). By June 14, 2009, they had established the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association (BAETAS), the organization that has since been responsible for operating and managing
the natural and tourism activities of the River Tour (Lacamiento, 2013).
In 2008 the LGU brought in the help of consultant Boboi Costas who instigated the initial
ecosystem investigation in order to assess the potential of the Bojo River (Aloguinsan's eco-tourism
jewel, 2013). This was followed by the involvement of Biodiversity conservation specialists from
University of the Philippines- Cebu and University of San Carlos that led in organizing educational
training programs for the BAETAS (Losorata, 2013). In the development of the tourism venture,

24. 21
the BAETAS were trained in the areas of "ecotourism, housekeeping and accommodations,
handicrafts and other livelihood programs" (ibid.). As a result, they became more familiar with their
local ecosystem and capable of identifying the mangroves and bird species that can be found along
their community (Basilan, 2013).
The tour consists of a 45 minute river cruise down the 1.4 kilometer long Bojo River
(Ramos, 2013). The tour guide, a member of the BAETAS, then explains the local and scientific
origins of mangroves and wildlife present, as well as a narration of natural and cultural heritage of
the local community (Lacamiento, 2013). This is followed by mat-weaving demonstrations, cultural
performances and organic lunches provided by the community (ibid). The BAETAS also added
several tour packages that are available depending on the season such as bird watching, snorkeling
and the 400 meter boardwalk (Losorata, 2013). A supplementary part of the tour is a trip to the
Farmhouse, an organic farm with livestock and crops that demonstrate the capabilities of sustainable
farming for families (Ramos, 2013) (Basilan, 2013).
Tour packages are priced at Php 300 for walk- in visitors and Php 600 per head for full
package tours - river cruise, meals, bird watching (Lacamiento, 2013). Since 2009, the Bojo River
Tour has catered to an estimate of 30,000 tourist (Basilan, 2013), fifteen percent (15%) of which are
foreign visitors (Lacamiento, 2013). Members of the BAETAS relay that a standard influx of tourists
stand at 10 persons on weekdays, earning them an estimate of Php 150 per day (ibid). While the tour
caters to 20 to 60 tourist increase daily during peak season and holidays, earning an estimate of Php
400 a day (ibid.). Overall, the BAETAS are said to have earned a gross income of Php 11 million
with a respective percentage that's given back to the municipality of Aloguinsan (10 percent)
(Aloguinsan's ecotourism jewel, 2013).

25. 22
Several news clippings have commented on the change that has occurred in the community
in relation to their environment. The BAETAS have claimed responsibility of preserving and
protecting the natural resources and ecosystem (Lacamiento, 2013). Mayor Cynthia Moreno explains
that combining natural preservation efforts with livelihood development ensures that the community
contributes to the preservation efforts, lest they lose sufficient income (Basilan, 2013). The vice
president of BAETAS also relays how their renewed knowledge and ecological pride drawn from the
development of the tourism venture encourages the community to protect the ecosystem and, in
turn, their livelihoods as well (Lacamiento, 2013). The BAETAS organized various programs that are
concrete ways to continue preserving the ecosystem such as monthly river clean ups and regular tree
planting (ibid.). Since then, the Bojo River Ecotour has been awarded the "Inang Kalikasan
Champions award", received by Vice Mayor Cynthia Moreno, for their successful community-based
tourism venture.

26. 23
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
In this research, the researchers aim to find out the experiences of the members and what
the contribution of being a member of the BAETAS were on the knowledge, skills, attitudes and
habits of the BAETAS in the organization and management of the ecotourism venture. This
conceptual framework seeks to explain the interrelationship of the concepts being sought in this
research.
Community Based Sustainable Tourism (the pot), explicitly implies the involvement of
communities in the organization and management of the tourism industry. Projects with these
characteristics are pursued through the Community Development process, and in turn becomes the
vehicle for achieving the objectives of: 1) Community Organizing, 2) Community Education, and 3)
Community Based Resource Management.

27. 24
CBST projects create environments for various types of experiences for the members of the
organization (the soil). “Experience” is a highly personal concept influenced by bias and culture, and
the articulation and analysis of such is almost always subject to observer bias (E. Bruner, 1986). In
this case, the basic unit of analysis is established through the introspection and understanding of the
subject and not the observer (ibid.). That being so, the researchers will employ methods that will
allow the research participants to communicate openly their experiences in the process of organizing
and managing of the project. All these will be studied in the context of the organization’s
relationship with both the natural resource and human resource.
These said experiences are translated through the development of knowledge and skills sets
(the roots) which, once established, develops meaning to the members - attitude, and becomes part
of their daily routines - habit (the stem). Knowledge, Skills, Attitudes and Habits (KSAH) is a model
designed to assist in monitoring or assessing performance and practice levels of organizations
(Czarnecki, 2013). For the purpose of this research, the KSA model will be used in order to
understand the contributions of the member’s experiences They will be defined throughout the
research as follows: Knowledge- “what you know and is sum total of learning - theoretical and
practical - that an individual acquires over a period of time”; Skills – “capabilities and competencies
that are gained through experience and learnt through practice”; Attitudes – “describes your outlook
and perspective on how you think”; Habits - the actions performed repeatedly and continuously as a
result of the progress of the KSA (Czarnecki, 2013).

28. 25
From there, these changes in KSAH with regards to our environment, paves the way for
knowledgeable, skillful and regular practice of Community Based Natural Resource Management
(the flower).
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Researcher’s Bias
As students of Community Development, in our attempt to champion our brand of
development, we’ve learned to look at what’s wrong with society and to uncover its root cause/s.
But it has also taught us that we shouldn’t always look at what needs fixing, that it is equally
important to examine the triumph of people, however small, and to validate their efforts to make a
better life for themselves.
Methodological Orientation
The study on the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association is a practice-based, qualitative,
descriptive CD research. The research seeks to achieve a greater understanding of the process that
is happening in the community and the local tourism venture and the outcomes that have occurred
as a result of the process (Candy, 2006). The data necessary for the research will be gathered through
documented observation and first-hand insights from community members directly involved in the
Ecotour. (Clarke, 2005)

29. 26
This study will be conducted using a Case Study Research Method. Being a tropical country,
numerous tourism destinations exist all over the country. However, this method allows the
researchers to focus on gathering a holistic, in-depth understanding of the community and tourism
dynamics that is unique to the Bojo, Aloguinsan case. Furthermore, this case study is intrinsic in
nature, it neither aims to generalize concepts or theories nor make claims towards anything other
than its own specific situation. That being the case, through the stories and insights of its
participants, this research will portray the unique case of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association in managing the Bojo River Ecotour. (Stake, 1995)
Research Setting
Map of Aloguinsan
(Source: Google Maps)
Preliminary review of available literature on this location seemed to suggest that it was
suitable for the group’s idea for the study and they decided to substantiate this notion with a visit to
the area. This initial visit confirmed that indeed the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association
(BAETAS) practiced community-based sustainable tourism. This observation coupled with the lack

30. 27
of available research material about them sparked an interest in the researchers to conduct a case
study.
Aloguinsan is a municipality located 58 km southwest of Cebu City in Central Visayas. It’s
classified as a 4th
class municipality composed of 15 barangays, one of which is Barangay Bojo
(philippine-islands.ph, 2010-2014). Barangay Bojo, home to the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association (BAETAS), is 2 km away from the municipal hall in Aloguinsan.
Map of Bojo River
(Source: Google Maps)

31. 28
Selection of Research Participants
The participants of this study will be the members of the Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism
Association because they are the direct contributors, participants and beneficiaries of the tourism
venture.
Using case study research methodology, the focus of the study will be the experiences of the
BAETAS in the context of ecotourism in Brgy. Bojo and the changes in their lives as managers of
natural resources that this relationship has brought about.
In order to get in-depth information for the purpose of the study the group will use
homogeneous sampling; a case of purposive sampling that involves “selecting a small homogeneous
group of subjects or units for examination and analysis” (Cohen & Crabtree, 2006). This type of
sampling “focuses, reduces variation, simplifies analysis, and facilitates group interviewing” (Siegle,
n.d.). Due to limited time on-site, this type of sampling is necessary to get as much valid information
as possible in the most efficient way. The group will also employ the following safeguards to protect
the participants’ rights: 1) the researchers will clearly explain the purpose and procedure of the study
and, 2) a draft of the study will be available later for the participants to validate.
Data Collection Strategies
Data will be collected from January 2015 through March 2015. This study will follow a
qualitative approach. The strategy of inquiry will employ conversation-based techniques such as
Group Interviews, Semi-structured Key Informant Interviews (KII) through storytelling and Focus

32. 29
Group Discussion (FGD) since what the group aims to learn about are the BAETAS members’
experiences and the changes that have occurred pertaining to their KSAH (as a result of the tourism
development).
A Key Informant Interview is a qualitative in-depth interview with people who know what is
going on in the community. The purpose of a key informant interview is to collect information from
a wide range of people—including community leaders, professionals, or residents—who have first-
hand knowledge about the community. These interviews will be semi-structured in form, which
means that the interview will follow a loosely structured guide composed of open-ended questions
that allow interviewees to expound on the necessary topics of discussion. (Patton, 2002). This type
of interview method encourages storytelling type of discussion which basically leaves ample room
for participants to share their insights and experiences freely. The researchers will be interviewing 3
people: Mayor Cynthia Moreno, Current Mayor of Aloguinsan; Sir Boboi Costas, the Ecotourism
consultant for the Bojo River Project and Ms. Monette Flores, an enterprise development specialist
and ecotourism consultant.
A Focus Group Discussion is a formal, controlled interaction of individuals with a pre-
arranged time and place where participants are selected to meet sampling criteria to talk about a
broad range of ideas on an open-ended topic (Ellsberg & Heise, 2005). The participants of the FGD
will be dependent on the availabilities of the BAETAS members in order to abide by the limitation
of respecting their regular operations.

33. 30
The group will begin with group interviews and key informant interviews over the span of 3
days, followed by the FGD. The group interviews will be conducted before the FGD in order to
supplement the interviews and provide further insight on the members’ KSAH.
With the permission of participants involved, data will be collected using audio recording in
order to ensure no discrepancies in documentation and transcription.
Data Analysis Procedure
Because data analysis involves a continual reflection about the data (Creswell, 2009), the
research team will begin analysing the data as soon as data gathering starts. To do this, the team will
be meeting at the end of each data gathering day to discuss the day’s findings.
As a first step of organizing the raw data, the researchers will transcribe the audio recordings
before proceeding to group them into like themes. After this, a preliminary analysis or general
familiarising will be done by reading through all the data. Following a discussion about the themes
that come out of this, the researchers will then proceed to a more structured chunking of the data.
This organised group of data will then be presented to the BAETAS for verification. In case errors
in organizing and interpretation, or any other kind are brought to the attention of the researchers,
revisions will be made. The last step is the analysing of the verified data in its entirety.

34. 31
Verification
In ensuring internal validity, the following strategies will be employed:
1. Triangulation of data - Data of the BAETAS experience will be collected from multiple
sources to include Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, document analysis
and observations;
2. Clarification of research bias - At the outset of this study researcher bias will be articulated in
writing in the methodology under the heading “Researcher’s Bias”;
3. Enlisting the help of a translator and a dialect coach.
Reporting of Findings
Since this is a qualitative case study, the results will be presented in descriptive, narrative form.
At the same time, the researchers will rework the videos collected during data gathering to reflect the
results of the study and present it as another method of sharing the findings.

35. 32
PRESENTATION OF DATA
The Bojo Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) is an organization formed in
conjunction with the development of ecotourism in Brgy. Bojo, Aloguinsan, Cebu. Below is the data
the researchers gathered during interviews with BAETAS members Kuya Rudney, Ate Jamaila,
Tatay Primitivo, Kuya Gerry, Tatay Timoteo, Nanay Linda, Ate Villa, Tatay Paulino and Kuya Noel.
In the late 2000’s the river running through Bojo was used as a means of transportation
within Aloguinsan. It was on one of these boat trips that now elected Mayor Cynthia Moreno got
the idea of developing the area to save it from degradation. On her way to a nearby barangay to
campaign, noticing the beauty of the place, she thought, “sooner or later magiging estero ‘to kagaya ng
nangyari diyan sa Cebu - sa Cebu City. Ano ba ang estero? That’s tagalog for ... squatter?” Not finding this
thought comforting, she “imagined na dapat itong mapreserve, ang area. Dapat hindi ito ma-vandalize because
maganda ang area talaga.”
Conception
Looking to act on her realization, she [Mayor Cynthia Moreno] explored environmental
protection - something that according to her is not an area local government units usually concern
themselves with. (“Most of the local chief executives, gusto nila projects na infrastructure, ‘yung mga makikita.
Pero ito, this is intangible…and it will make you unpopular.”) What people said they needed was “…pera
ngayon, bigas ngayon.” The locals’ priority was to look for enough food to feed their families because
this was a daily struggle. It wasn’t easy for her to get the ball rolling - she met plenty of resistance
even within the LGU. Her peers argued that, “You can only think of environment protection kung okay ka na
sa status mo in life - you can afford to buy this, you can eat three times, three square meals a day…for a municipality
na fifth class tapos think ka ng environment protection? Forget it.” At that time, they were concentrating on

36. 33
system, health, education and livelihood. “We’re just a fifth class municipality then. So we have other
priorities.”
But she felt strongly about saving the Bojo River. For her, “one of the basic services that a
local government must and should deliver to the community is environment protection.” There was
a great challenge for her to look for an environmental protection idea that not only yielded
significant results but was also cost-efficient. And because she saw the potential for it in their area,
she looked into tourism. (“So, we really looked for something na effective - na talagang mapo-protect yung
talagang environment at makikinabang pa ang local government; makikinabang pa ang mga tao, ang community;
makikinabang pa ang buong bayan.”- Mayor Cynthia Moreno)
With efficiency in mind, she sought the advice of specialists in the field of environment
protection and development. She talked to environmental engineers, environmental architects and
also found a Cebu-based, ecotourism specialist in the person of Boboi Costas. In 2008, Mayor
Cynthia invited Mr. Costas to do an ocular inspection of Bojo. He too saw what the potential Mayor
Cynthia saw in the place. Agreeing to the project, he went in with the idea of “ecotourism or
development that will sort of… strike a balance between conservation and livelihood.”
Aware that, although the local government could take on the responsibility of protecting the
Bojo River, it would be less effective than when the locals themselves took charge and protected the
area themselves - in terms of both cost-efficiency and sustainability. The mayor said that if the LGU
solely took on the role of protecting the river, imposing rules like banning the cutting of mangroves
- which was one of the locals' major sources of livelihood - it would ultimately wedge a gap between
the LGU and the people. On the other hand, if they handed control of the tourism idea to the
community, they envisioned that this would not only effectively keep the river from being destroyed
but will serve as a means for the people to earn much needed alternative income.

37. 34
Preparation
The project, officially starting in March of 2009, began with community organizing,
community mobilization, and capacity building before moving to implementation and monitoring.
During these first stages of the ecotourism development, the community worked closely with Sir
Costas. Being a local of Cebu, he had been familiar with Aloguinsan since 1992. The challenge,
according to Sir Costas was to change the way the locals saw the river, “…for them the river was
just there. It was just a river, no? A resource - an ordinary resource for them”.
The project began in the last month of February 2009 with an invitation to attend a seminar
which attracted 400 people from Aloguinsan, most of which were from Bojo. These were
educational training seminars with sociologists, biologists, marine biologists and other members of
the academe. The goal was to re-introduce the locals to their environment for them to see it in a new
light. The seminars focused on the environment, concentrating on the local ecosystem. The
attendees talked about bird and plant species endemic in Bojo, to name a few.
Ate Jamaila, a member of the BAETAS, avidly recounts the experience: “Kasi ang daming
natutunan ‘eh, ano ngayon, lecture ngayon, tapos ‘pag hapon exam, tapos moving exam pa.”
It was challenging for the participants to go through the 4-month (March-June 2009)
training. Not only were the lessons difficult to keep up with, but also because they already had a lot
on their plate like tending their corn farms, going out to fish for several hours on end (sometimes
even an entire day), taking care of their animals and most importantly, taking care of their families. It
wasn’t like they could afford to take on the responsibility of attending the trainings every day and
stop fishing or farming, for example. Seeing as it would be counter-intuitive, the participants weren’t
given monetary compensation during those four months. They were provided with meals during

38. 35
trainings instead.
Participating in these seminars involved numerous sacrifices from the locals and it made it
difficult for a lot of participants to continue. For the women, the predominant struggle was
balancing motherhood and household duties with the seminars. Ate Jamaila recounted how the 3
a.m. bird-watching lessons were the hardest because her youngest child at the time was still
breastfeeding (“Di ko maiwan yung baby ko kasi 3 a.m. pa at naka-dede pa siya sakin.”).
Nanay Linda and Nanay Villa shared a common experience of waking up extra early to cook
for the family before heading to the training center, only to come home too tired to deal with the
household chores that were left (“Maaga pa lang maghanda ng pagkain. Tapos after ng breakfast pupunta na
kami sa training center… then ‘pag tapos naman sa training pag-uwi namin sa bahay. Maraming nakasaad sa
aming gawain sa gabi na para sa aming mga anak na nandyan sa bahay.” – Nanay Linda). They had to rely
on in-laws and relatives to keep watch over their kids while they were in training.
On the other hand, the men struggled with balancing farming, fishing or driving a habal-
habal with attending the trainings. Most of the men resorted to fishing or farming early in the
morning before they had to go to the Bojo Covered Court for training at 8 a.m., and then tending
their animals when they get home late in the afternoon. Kuya Noel shared how his mornings were
spent fishing for his family’s food before going to the seminars, “Sa umaga, namasahe ako ng habal
habal. Di, minsan naman punta ng dagat nangingisda para may, may pagkain naman ang aking pamilya, tapos…8
a.m. na dito na ako.”
But more than that, they also had to deal with discouragement from their neighbors and
families. Sir Rudney’s cousin, then Barangay Captain of Brgy. Bojo, and many others would
discourage him by saying, “inuuto lang kayo niyan…” and trying to convince them that they were just

39. 36
being conned by the LGU. Ate Jamaila shared how, in the times when the physical demands began
to take its toll, she turned to family for help and support:
Oo, mismong ako na rin, sabi ko hindi na. Kasi mahirap, maliit pa yung anak ko. Para makasanay din
siya sa pagsakripisyo. Tapos asawa ko rin. Kasi napakainit ng panahon noon, init tsaka ulan. May payong
ako araw-araw, minsan naglagnat, naubo, ganun… mga simpleng rason. Tapos sabi ko, ‘Ay hindi na’.
Minsan nga iniwan ko ‘yung ano ko [anak] na nakatulog. Tapos binalikan ko ng ilang oras tapos iyak na
iyak na. Ayun, sacrifice din. Sabi ko ayaw ko na, stop na. Parang mga gitna na ako eh, 2 months na. Sabi
ng mama ko, padayon lang, continue lang, tapos tutulungan daw niya ako. Siya nalang magbantay. Iba
naman yung ano eh, kasi yung ina mo, grandmother yung magbabantay kay sa tayo. Tapos mahirap kasi
nagdede eh. Uuwi – uuwi talaga ako paglunch time. Bumili na lang ako ng gatas. Sabi ng mama ko,
continue lang, dako na, malaki na daw yung na-invest ko, ‘yung sacrifices ko madami na raw.
– Ate Jamaila
This was a sentiment shared by several other participants: the notion of “sayang”, was a
source of motivation that kept them going throughout the trainings and seminars. Kuya Rudney and
Nanay Linda likewise shared their experiences in facing these challenges:
Kung mag-give up ako, sayang yung inumpisahan ko. Dami ko nang nalalaman. Kasi sa kanila, wala
talaga silang alam kasi hindi sila sumasama sa seminars. Useless yung dami kong napuntahang mga
seminar, ang dami ko nang natutunan. – Kuya Rudney

40. 37
Maraming training, maraming gawain. Then wala kaming sahod, may pagkain lang, oo. Then pag uwi na
kami pagod na pagod. Then dun sa akin baka ‘di na magpunta bukas. Ano yun ba, sayang… sayang kasi
dito lang sa Bojo iyan. Then Taga- Bojo rin ako. Dito na ako, why do we absent? – Nanay Linda
Tatlong buwan palang yung anak ko, oo. Tapos yung asawa ko nag-aalaga sa anak ko tapos hindi naman
ako nag-ano sa aming pamumuhay kasi nandoon ako sa trainings. So nahirapan din ako. Sa tingin ko
naman may... may ano naman eh. Medyo na may panahon na kami na sinayang dun sa trainings tapos
mag-give up kami wala naman kaming, uh, makukuha. Tapos tinuloy ko nalang. – Kuya Gerry
By the end of the training period in June 2009, only 52 participants remained.
Organizational Profile
On June 14, 2009, they launched the Bojo
Aloguinsan Ecotourism Association (BAETAS) and
kicked off the river tour. As of 2015, the organization
has 37 active members including 7 new recruits, whose
training was entirely facilitated and monitored by the
members themselves (no longer by Sir Costas). They
operate through a committee system which follows the
illustration provided by Sir Rudney, current
Chairperson of BAETAS. They elect 7 officers by
means of secret balloting and divide the remaining
members to the committees which are: Housekeeping, Paddlers, Finance, Marketing, Guideship,
H
Chairperson
Treasurer
Audit and Inventory
PRO
Committee Coordinat
or
Vice-Chairperson
Secretary
P F M G E A
BAETAS organizational structure
according to Kuya Rudney (Chairperson)

41. 38
Environmental Protection and Audit & Inventory.
But the members’ tasks are not necessarily limited to the committees they belong to on
paper. As a means of making sure that each committee is represented and that the daily tasks of each
committee are consequently accomplished, the members take turns depending on availability,
resulting in each member being well-acquainted with how the entire operation runs (“Parang
nangyayari in actual ma’am is hindi na [dumedepende sa kumite na kinabibilangan sa BAETAS ang trabaho],
kasi round yung trabaho namin.” – Ate Jamaila).
Their operating hours is from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., give or take an hour or two depending on the
tides. Their day-to-day responsibilities include morning clean-ups (like picking up trash and tidying
the center), repair work (like patching up or painting boat hulls), setting up the center (like putting
up decorations), guiding the tourists onto and out of the boats, paddling for tourists, all the while
enlightening the visitors with stories about Bojo, the environment and the plants and creatures living
in the area. At the end of each day, they store their equipment in the center for safekeeping and lock
up.
Kuya Rudney explained that they usually follow an organized line of communication
beginning at their office (located in the Aloguinsan Farm House) where the tours are booked (by
him or shoever is on duty) and scheduled, coordinated with the committee heads and then to the
members, with the committee heads in charge of delegating specific tasks to the members.
Their line of communication and coordination does not end within their organization. They
also coordinate with other established People’s Organizations in Aloguinsan, such as CHAT
(Community Heritage for Aloguinsan Tourism) – the organization in charge of the Aloguinsan Farm
House; ARRA (Aloguinsan Reef Rangers Association) – the organization in charge of the snorkeling

42. 39
features of the tour and the protection of the reefs, KEA (Kantabogon Ecotourism Association) –
in charge of another ecotourism site in Kantabogon, should tourists choose to prevail this tour
package. All five organizations (including BAETAS and one more organization they failed to
mention), work hand – in – hand to make sure that the tourism sector of Aloguinsan is lively and
efficient.
The People behind the River Tour
Becoming a member of BAETAS was no small feat for these people. Despite these trials,
the members that remained were rewarded for their efforts and perseverance. During the interviews,
several of the participant shared their stories of how the training seminars and their experiences as
members of the organization changed their lives.
When asked about the training seminars, all the participants mentioned that they had learned
too many things to pick just one. Most, if not all, of these learnings had to do with their surrounding
environment – the detrital cycle, mangroves, birds, etc.
Oo mangingisda din KASI kami dun sa river ma’am. Kami rin yung nagka-cut ng
mangroves noon. Ako mismo, may 11 in the family, tapos may lola’t lolo… napakarami
sa bahay. Mangingisda lang papa ko, minsan walang huli. Wala talaga, dalawang araw,
tatlong araw ‘di umuuwi, walang huli, ayaw umuwi. Bahala na kami mag hanap ng
pagkain namin. Marami, maliliit pa, elementary at high school ‘yung mga kapatid ko.
Mahirap sa bahay. Kailangan naming buhayin yung alaga naming kalabaw, kambing at
baka. Sabi ng mama ko ‘alagaan niyo ‘yang kalabaw kasi yan yung nag- aararo sa bukid para
makapagtanim tayo. Ibig sabihin yun ‘di na yun din lang ang nagbubuhay sa inyo.’ So kailangan pala

43. 40
naming alagaan. Kailangan namin maghanap ng pagkain para sa kanila. So ginawa namin, ako, kumuha
ng sako, paguwi namin sa hapon galing sa eskwela, kinukuha yung mga dahon ng mangroves; pinapakain
sa kalabaw. Kasi isa-isang carabao kami, yung mga malalaki na. Tapos kinukuha namin, ginagawa
naming panggatong yung mga branches. Kami talaga yung kumukuha dyan. Kaya malakas kami lumangoy
kasi dyan kami lumalanguy-langoy at kumukuha ng mga leaves ng bakawan. Sabi na ay, nandito na ang
project, naka-educate siya kasi, kami rin pala ang nagsisira ng hanapbuhay na mangisda. Kasi isa rin pala
ang leaves ng mga mangroves, na pag sa cycle. Yung pag na-rotten sila, may lumalabas na nutrients
nakakain pala ng mga isda. So yun, na-realize namin na kung hindi pa nag-ano ang local government ang
project na ganito, siguro patuloy lang kaming… siguro wala nang mangroves dito. Kasi naubos na kasi
kapag walang baon, kumukuha kami ng mga branches, ginagawang panggatong at binebenta sa tindahan.
Yun... tapos yung mga birds nest! Ang saya namin nakakakita kami ng birds nest. Kukunin namin yan.
Dalhin sa bahay, [nilalaga mga itlog] mga itlog niluluto at kakain. Yung mga bird na maliliit na sa amin
pa. Ang saya-saya namin kapag kinukuha namin yun. Tandang-tanda ko pa, kinukuha namin, dalhin sa
bahay lahat ng birds nest sa mangroves… yun ginagawa namin, niluluto. Kasi hindi naman tinuturo sa’min
ng mga magulang namin na bawal yan. Tapos narinig nalang namin sa eskwela na bawal, may national
law na ‘di pwede yan kunin. Pero wala kaming magawa kasi kailangan namin magkabaon para sa
susunod na araw eh. - Ate Jamaila
Once the organization was established and their operations had begun, they began settling in
on their daily routines. Their daily routines include everything from set up to locking up and even
guiding tours, which involved the application of things they’d learned in trainings, depending on
who’s assigned for duty. Evidently each one is well practiced in all the tasks required in their days
work. Not only did they learn about the environment, but they gained new skills as well involved in
operational duties.

44. 41
Ako ah... kapag mayroon na… pag mayroon kami na booking kapag meron kaming guest
na, prepare ng pagkain dito, tulong kami lahat dito pag prepare ng mga ano, decorate,
dito… halo halo, po. Tulong lang kaming lahat kung ano, paglilinis dyan, dito. Pag-
arrange ng flower, yun tinulungan lang namin. Mga life vest namin ready na ‘to, para kung
mayroon kaming guest dito nalang magsusuot. Yun…parang masaya. Masaya po sa amin
kasi yun ang na… yun ang nasabi namin kasi yun ang na-train... tinraining namin kaya
yun ang nasabi sa kanila. Ah noon at ngayon, nung una... kapag makakita kami ng service, matakot
kami kasi yun ang kumukuha sa mga bata. But ngayon hindi na kasi kapag mayroong guest, ‘pag may
sasakyan naman dito naman, kami naman nagsusundo ng mga guest at dito kami nag-entertain na.
Marunong kami mag-entertain sa kanila. Oo noon! Akala naming mangidnap ng mga bata nung una.
Nung una pa, but ngayon ‘di na. Guest na. Masaya na po kag dito meron naman kami pinagkitaan. Dito
na sila sa river... [laughs] at yun, noong una, di kami masyado mag-entertain ng mga tao... kasi yung mga...
magarang lang ng tao… but ngayon, ready na kami magentertain. – Nanay Villa
After 6 years of operations, many of the participants share how being a part of the
organization with all the experiences have found their way to their lives beyond the operations in the
form of new hobbies, family rules, etc.
Ang naiba dun sa akin, sa akin lang... kasi ‘yung mga basura, ‘yung mga plastic na galing
sa mga junk foods is itu-throw natin sa garbage. Ngayon kung pwede kukunin ko sa guest
at bawal naman... kanang... akin nang kinukuha ang mga plastic at ginagamit ko na yan.
[Points at curtain] ako ang gumagawa nyan. Gayon meron na akong nag-order ng
100m…matatagalan pa… So ang mga plastic galing sa plastic ng mga gatas, Bear Brand,

45. 42
sa coffee, sa junk foods, kwan... kanang kinuha na…bibili ako ng mga plastic sa mga bata. Bili ko 5
pesos, 10 pesos para matipon ko lahat. – Nanay Linda
Yung mga anak namin, yung anak namin na lalaki, sinasabihan namin silang
protektahan natin and ating kalikupan. Hindi kami lang. Sa sunod na araw, wala na
kami dito, sila na ang magsusunod sa amin, yung mga apo naming… oo, inalagaan ang
kalikupan [kalikasan] – Tatay Primitivo
Sa pag protect sa…example sa ibon, sasabihan namin ang among mga anak na hindi,
hindi na, hindi na mag-ano, maghuli ng ibon o ang basura e i-safety na.
—Tatay Paulino
Because of all these things, several participants shared valuable sentiments about how these
experiences affected the way they saw various aspects of their lives, whether they were new things in
their lives or old things that they began to see in a different light.

46. 43
Towards the organization,
Nung sa wala pa ako dito member sa BAETAS, ang hirap ng buhay kasi ‘pag
nandoon ka sa dagat minsan walang huli. Kapag namasada naman, minsan umuulan so
wala akong kita. So ngayon na nandito na ako sa BAETAS…gumiginhawa na kasi
meron na akong alternative income. O meron iba nang income. Kapag wala namang guest
dito, namasada... minsan pumunta sa dagat. Pero maginhawa na ang aking buhay. Dito
naman sa association namin… kaming lahat…parang magkapatid… parang isa, isang
pamilya! Ah yung iba, magshe-share ng mga problem… ehh, nagsalita na sakin, nagshe-share na sakin…
meron mga joke joke para ang mga problema matanggal... [laughs] para makalimot ayun kami ng mga
problema namin. - Kuya Noel
About the tourists and the community,
Ang hirap sa umpisa. Kasi, tumatanggap ka ng bisita, lahat ng klaseng tao pumupunta
sa Bojo river, ‘di mo alam kung…kasi iba’t- ibang klaseng tao, may masama may
ano… so naranasan na namin din yung may mga bisitang agrabyado. May mga bisita
gusto nila sila lang. May bisita kami ang ingay-ingay. Dapat ang ecotourism talagang
tahimik ka, dapat more respeto kayo sa yung environment. Nag-rerespeto kayo sa
kalikasan. So respetuhin mo. Dapat naman po. Marami kaming bisita na sila lang,
may buhay din sila. Yung sila lang, walang paki. Madami na namin pinagdaanan. Kung hindi namin
kaya, ilang beses na namin tinawagan yung police. Yan, oo… Kung kayo ay nakaintindi ng ecotourism, at
tsaka nature lover at talagang ma-appreciate niyo yun. Kasi kami dati, nandyan nandyan na yan eh! Di
kami maka-appreciate, bakit kaya? Ano meron dito? Parang ganun. So nagulat, umpisa na makita sa

47. 44
TV. Makita na ng picture, ‘wow ang ganda pala!’ so talagang na-excite na kami. Doon na rin namin
nalaman na… para bang nagising ako, ‘ah ganito pala, pwede pala, ang ganda pala pag inaalagaan’. Dati
kasi, ‘di talaga namin ma-imagine kung ganun pa ang mangyayari ngayon kasi talagang kalbo- kalbo.
Talagang hindi namin alam kung mapatuloy pa ito o hindi, o ano. Buti na lang nandyan ang LGU, isa sa
mga tumulong sa community… Kasi dati po mangingisda ang karamihan, tsaka farming, mga nagfa-farm.
‘Yung iba walang kuryente, walang cellphone, walang silang plantsa, ‘di nakapagayos ng kanilang bahay.
So yun po, yun talagang sa ngayon po, nakikita namin na umaangat po. Talaga… – Kuya Rudney
About the environment,
…mas maganda naman tignan ang kalikasan pag wala yung…mga hayop tulad ng mga
ibon, nandito pa sila sa umaga, ‘pag hindi pa ‘yon sumisikat ang araw. Nandoon sila sa
mga mangroves nag-aawit, kumukuha ng pagkain nila. Mas maganda ngayon nandito pa
sila kay sa wala na.– Kuya Gerry
These are just a few of the standout stories that the researchers gathered over the period of 6
days wherein the interviews were conducted. Below is a chart on various learnings (knowledge and
skill) habits and attitudinal changes that were mentioned by the interview participants:

48. 45
KNOWLEDGE
Environment  Local and scientific names of mangroves and birds
 Relationship of birds, mangroves, and leaves in the detrital cycle
 Do’s and don’ts of environmental protection
Organizational/
Operational
Management
 Knowledge on Tourism and Ecotourism
 How to entertain guests and tourists
 On organizing and managing the eco-tour
 Marketing their eco-tour (technology and other media)
Resource
Management
 Use of resources present in Aloguinsan can be used to sustain the
ecotourism venture
 Not to abuse the resources present in Aloguinsan
 Proper management of resources can lead to income and
livelihoods
SKILL
Environment  Memorizing and relaying knowledge on mangroves, birds, detrital
cycle
Organizational/
Operational
Management
 Cooking skills are enhanced (for the tourists)
 Mat-weaving (taught as part of eco-tour)
 Curtain-making from recycled materials (taught as part of eco-tour)
 Social skills (interaction with tourists, co-members)
 Public Speaking skills (for the leaders who represent the
organization)

49. 46
Resource
Management
 Recycling (making new projects out of plastic wrappers)
 Backyard Gardening
ATTITUDE
Environment  Value of loving and taking care of the environment
 Thankful for the environment that takes care of them
 Newfound appreciation for the beauty of the environment,
especially the Bojo River
Organizational/
Operational
Management
 Concern and respect for welfare and enjoyment of tourists
 Ready and willing to entertain guests
 Treats co-members as family (brothers and sisters)
 Frustration towards insensitive tourists
Resource
Management
 Value of taking care of the environment and limiting use of
resources for the future generations
 Value of taking care of the environment and managing resources
so that it will come back to them in the form of additional income
 Understanding the value of letting the sea rest (“Pagpapahinga ng
laot”)
Community  Pride of Place (no longer ashamed to identify themselves from
Aloguinsan)
 Proud of their partnership with LGU

50. 47
HABIT
Environment  Do not hunt birds and other animals anymore
 Do not get leaves from mangroves to feed animals anymore (plants
for food)
 Do not cut trees anymore
 Teaching their kids not to hunt
Organizational/
Operational
Management
 Monthly river cleanups
 Daily check-up of facilities and equipment (boats, life vests, etc.)
 Buying recyclable materials (like plastic wrappers) to be used for
projects
 Recycling materials to be used for projects
 Monitoring and evaluation of tourism venture (through logbooks)
 Fishing and Farming now as secondary source of livelihoods (going
to the Bojo River first before fishing or tending to their farms)
Resource
Management
 Backyard gardening at the household (for additional resources for
the eco-tour)
 Teaching their children to segregate garbage
Community  Policing/ Call out other members of the community who poach,
hunt and cut trees
Outcome
One of the first activities of the BAETAS after they were established was organizing a
Familiarization Tour to introduce their tourism venture to the people. According to Sir Rudney,

51. 48
after the tour, organizations such as SMART, PLDT, Aboitiz Foundation, the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the Department of Tourism (DOT), among many
others, started contributing. The most prominent of which was the contribution of SMART in
planting 10,000 propagules in 2010 and another 10,000 in 2011; and the 20,000 endemic fruit trees
planted by the Aboitiz Foundation.
It was evident that the fact that assistance only came after they have successfully organized
themselves, is a source of pride for the BAETAS. Ate Jamaila expressed her gratitude for the help
extended to them by these organizations but was adamant that their success as an organization is an
accomplishment of Aloguinsan.
Sa LGU talaga. Proyekto talaga ng local government ng Aloguinsan, 100% funded and initiated by talaga.
Tapos na-organize na kami, na-legalize na kami, saka lang sila pumasok…Minsan nagsasalita sila,
magsalita ako halimbawa tapos may mga different agencies na kumakatawan ng gobyerno, tapos nagsalita
ako na ang project na ito ay 100% funded and initiated the local government ng Aloguinsan sa simula.
Nang ma-organize na kami saka lang sila pumasok yung ganun. Palagi naming nireremind sa kanila ‘yun
kasi parang inangkin na, pero hindi naman. Na ano din kami sa LGU, kahit mahirap sa LGU namin,
kasi maliit lang ang aming lungsod, maliit lang ang baryo, nagawa nila. Accomplishment talaga ng lungsod
ng Aloguinsan ‘to. –Ate Jamaila

52. 49
ANALYSIS
Beginnings are powerful.
How anything begins is important, as it can set the tone of an entire process. This is true in
Community Based Sustainable Tourism Development. In fact, it has been said about past tourism
ventures that “adverse environmental impacts often result from poor planning and coordination”
(USAID). It essentially says that it would be counterintuitive not to pay particular attention to
planning and coordination in tourism development since a very important aspect of the industry is
the health of the natural environment. It is what the industry depends on. "Although given little
importance, the Philippine environment is the bread and butter of the Philippine tourism
industry.” (Libosada, 1998). On top of that, it is an observable fact that the environment does not
necessarily bounce back quickly from any form of adverse impacts.
Just as important as proper planning, is the involvement of "'tourism outsiders like the
academe, research and science groups, or even environment and social consultants." (ibid.). Another
issue facing the development of ecotourism in the Philippines is the lack of skilled ecotourism
personnel. There is a “lack of planners who understand the characteristics of sound tourism
planning based on environmental concerns." (ibid.). The number of people with great knowledge on
environmental matters choose building a career in the scientific academe over a career in, say,
ecotourism guiding or ecotourism planning and management. (ibid.) It is then important to point
out that in the case of the BAETAS, key people were already involved in the early stages. There was
the participation of the LGU – as Mayor Cynthia Moreno was the one who initiated the tourism
venture – and then the collaboration with specialists in the field of environmental architecture and

53. 50
environmental engineering. The point here is not that they were involved at all but that they were
there in the beginning.
In a potential ecotourism destination, the local community must be willing to get involved in
the operation and maintenance of the destination or activities. The community organizer,
usually a non-government organization, helps in preparing the community for the onset of
visitors and tells them the pitfalls and limitations of tourism operations. From this end, the
community organizer can help the locals organize themselves into a cooperative or its
semblance in order to come up with a more detailed operational aspect of the ecotourism
package. (Libosada, 1998)
Besides being a product of sound planning, the BAETAS apparently also has good
coordination among its members. Kuya Rudney, the organization’s chairperson, shared with the
researchers how they have a specific way of coordinating their river tours. First, all booking is
received at their office at the Farm House. The researchers witnessed such event when, like
clockwork, they entertained a booking inquiry, checked the tide schedule of a particular day in the
calendar and then advised the guests accordingly. As chairperson, most of the time Kuya Rudney is
around to receive the calls himself. Once a booking is confirmed, he calls each committee head to
advise them. It is then up to these people to assign tasks to each of their committee members. Being
aware of their roles in the organization as well as their roles in the tour itself, things move rather
efficiently.
So halimbawa, ganito, halimbawa may tour kami bukas. Dito sa amin sa opsina, kami yung tumatanggap.
Kung halimbawa full tour, tatawagan ko kung sino ang guideship at ilan, tapos siya na yung bahala kung

54. 51
sino magguide. Tawagan ko yung housekeeping, siya na bahala kung sino magrrotate. Tatawagan ko yung
magluluto, tatawagan ko yung environmental protection kung sino ang magrroving dun. Tapos sila na ang
magspread. – Kuya Rudney
The researchers experienced first hand how much they try to stay coordinated. One way the
do this is by keeping their chairperson in the loop as much as possible. They had a very specific way
of responding to the researchers' interview scheduling requests. They directed all scheduling
concerns to their chairperson. They were open to accommodating the researchers as long as their
chairperson was informed.
A way to ensure that they stay coordinated, last Christmas, Kuya Rudney, in behalf of the
organization, gave cellphones to each BAETAS member (“Kasi gusto namin talaga kung may kailangan
kami talagang maka-text back agad. Wala nang dahilan. Kasi dati po kasi, hindi raw narating yung information
na may bisita bukas, parang ganoon…” – Kuya Rudney).
Sustainability Approach to Planning
Since, sound planning is essential to the success of CBST, the planning itself must be done a
certain way, meaning it should be guided by the principles of responsibility, commitment, leadership,
cooperation and education. (Dwyer & Edwards, as cited in Liburd ,2010)
Responsibility to Protect Natural and Cultural/Heritage Environments
Following the principle of responsibility to protect natural and cultural/heritage
environments,

55. 52
the tourism industry should share with local residents, governments and all people the
obligation to protect and maintain the heritage resources of our planet, which are required
both to sustain economies and to be passed on unimpaired to the future generations. (Dwyer
& Edwards, as cited in Liburd, 2010)
Evidence of this principle being used in Bojo can be seen in the Farm House, for example.
According to the mayor, that particular area was developed to serve as a demo farm where people
can go to learn all about organic farming. They can learn about composting, feeding livestock with
organically grown food, avoiding using pesticides and fungicides and building structures like
(en)catchment basins for rain which will not only reduce or prevent flooding in the area but will also
replenish the aquifer (groundwater). One more example is the sense of obligation the BAETAS feel
for next generations, especially when using natural resources. As Ate Jamaila put it, people should
not see nature as something that one inherits form their parents but something that their children
(or future generations) has lent them. (“Kasi lahat ng ito daw, hindi naman natin daw ito namana sa
nakatanda, kundi ang lahat ng ito, ay pinapahiram lang satin ng ating mga anak. yun kailangan natin pangalagaan
kasi hiniram mo lang eh, anak mo yan eh. So ganun…” –Ate Jamaila)
Commitment and Leadership
Furthermore, guided by the principles of commitment and leadership, “destinations require
strong, committed and effective leaders by business, government and community leaders at all levels.
The essence of this can be seen in ensuring that heritage values are fully sustained.” (Dwyer &
Edwards, as cited in Liburd, 2010). Sir Boboi described how in the beginning, his role was that of a
mentor to the people. He was the one in charge of organizing their training seminars and other
things related to the establishment of the BAETAS. More recently, however, that relationship has
evolved into more of a partnership.

56. 53
I would say na... it has become to a point na... parang nag ano siya eh. It used to be na, I was a mentor to
them, noh? But ngayon…I would say... from mentoring naging ano na siya ngayon...parang...I’m here na
parang... tapos na yung mentoring stage eh. Parang partner? -Sir Boboi
Still, he remains committed to the endeavor as well as to the people. Although he has
loosened his grip on the reigns, with BAETAS now exercising more control over the tourism
venture then when they started, he still visits them almost every other week to check up on them.
He looks at the guests’ feedback in the logbooks, inspects the facilities and, every now and then,
organizes a focus group discussion whenever they need to talk about internal issues. In addition to
that, he keeps going back to the area because for monitoring and evaluation, Sir Boboi prefers face-
to-face communication.
Because the ecotourism in Bojo was initiated by the LGU (municipal level), as chief
executive of Aloguinsan, there is a need for the leadership to be strong in that front as well. Mayor
Cynthia demonstrated this strength by continuing to push for ecotourism even with strong
resistance – inside and outside of the LGU.
Mahirap ang hanap- buhay dito so they don’t understand what I’m doing...I persisted...naniniwala ako na
this is one of the best, ano, vehicle na maiangat natin ang municipality na ito…Talagang lalabanan mo
lahat ng critics, resistance from all aspect - from COA, from department heads, from the community, from the
other officials, lahat. Lalabanan mo talaga. –Mayor Cynthia Moreno
Kuya Rudney, on the other hand, experienced being discouraged by his relatives even during
the trainings - before there was any evidence that their hard work would actually pay off. His cousin,
then Brgy. Captain of Bojo said they were just being duped and that he must stop attending the
seminars. Although there was resistance, this time from the leadership in the barangay level, Kuya

57. 54
Rudney persisted, showing qualities fit for a leader.
Ganun lang talaga ako. Kung anong inumpisahan ko itutuloy ko. Kasi kung nagpadala ako sa kanila,
useless lang. yun din eh, kung mag-give up ako, sayang yung inumpisahan ko. Dami ko nang nalalaman,
kasi sa kanila, wala talaga silang alam kasi hindi sila sumasama sa seminars. –Kuya Rudney
Now, as a chairperson, he exhibits good leadership qualities by taking control of the coordination of
members in their day-to-day affairs.
Ate Jamaila, BAETAS’ treasurer, shows commitment and leadership by standing by their
community even when outside of their town. According to their stories, when the organization was
established and the tourism started showing promise, different agencies swooped in and got
involved. Later, however, this led to some of those players, particularly the DOT, to appear as
though they were taking credit for the BAETAS’ successes.
Minsan nagsasalita sila, magsalita ako halimbawa tapos may mga different agencies na kumakatawan ng
gobyerno, tapos nagsalita ako na ang project na ito ay 100% funded and initiated by the local government ng
Aloguinsan sa simula, nang ma-organize na kami saka lang sila pumasok yung ganun. Palagi naming
nireremind sa kanila yun kasi parang inangkin na. Pero hindi naman. -Ate Jamaila
Cooperation
But it doesn’t end with the BAETAS having good coordination internally, because there are
other people outside of the organization involved in the tourism venture. And ‘coordination and
support between all stakeholders is crucial to the achievement of sustainable tourism’ (Dwyer &
Edwards, as cited in Liburd, 2010). Talking to the mayor, the municipal tourism officer, the
BATEAS members, even Sir Boboi Costas, the researchers observed that there seems to be a good

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working relationship among them. Right now, their tourism office, with the help of Sir Boboi, is
working on organizing local habal-habal drivers and carinderia owners in the area in an effort to
ensure efficiency.
Education
There is again a need to mention the trainings the community went through prior to the
formation of BAETAS because ’tourism plans should encompass appropriate training and capacity
building’ (UNEP, 2003). Those were four months of rigorous whole-day training sessions, from
Sunday to Saturday, that sometimes started as early as 3 a.m. (for bird watching) or 8 a.m. (for
regular training). They had days off, but there was no regularity in the scheduling of these breaks.
The trainings involved painstakingly learning about the different flora and fauna in the area.
Sa totoo lang moving exam, grabe. Di nga. Sa isang malaking lamesa, mga, malalaki, lahat ng klaseng
mangroves, at dahon, nakalatag sa mesa. Andaming pang pang araw araw na pangdistract sa
paningin. Number one! Tapos andaming pang arrow arrow dyan, number two! Tapos, ano, ang answer
pala sa number two, nandyan sa number one! Ganun talaga! –Kuya Rudney
Tapos yung tinatanong, anong uri ng mangroves ito. Pag hindi mo babasahin, A B C, tapos hindi mo
tinitignan, nakalagay dito letter B lang pala ang sasagutin” –Ate Jamaila
One of the remarkable things they got out of the training is understanding the mangrove
detrital cycle, which basically says that rotting leaves and other parts of mangroves that fall in the
water are not trash to be fished out (which they were used to doing before) but food for the
different organisms in the water like crabs, fishes and shrimps. Other than studying about the flora
and fauna of the area, they were also trained in ecotourism, housekeeping & accommodation,
handicrafts, and other livelihood programs (Losorata, 2013). Today, the organization still undergo

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refresher courses like leadership trainings or the Water Search and Rescue (WASAR) training they
attended last March. The aim of education and training programs is to ‘improve public
understanding and enhance business and profession skills (Dwyer & Edwards, 2010) because the
industry’s success depends on capable people.
Benefits of their rigorous training are evident. They have embraced their area because they
understand it more now. Interesting scientific facts about endemic and migratory birds in their area,
for example, roll off their tongues during casual conversations. When before they didn’t appreciate
their natural resources because, for them, it has always been there, this newfound appreciation of
their surroundings has changed their skills, attitudes and habits for the better. ‘This recognizes that
the development is a process that enhances the quality of life, a broader notion than economic
prosperity.” (Liburd, 2010)
Benefits
One indicator of success [of the project] that Mayor Cynthia mentioned was on Pride of
Place. According to her, an ecotourism venture would cause the members of the municipality to
take pride in where they come from. True enough, most of the interviewees (8 out of 9) stated that
they were now proud to call themselves Aloguinsanons because of the success of the Ecotour. The
participants mentioned that prior to the success of the BAETAS, not a lot of people knew where
Aloguinsan was. When asked where they lived, they would usually say that they come from the
neighboring cmunicipality; one that was more prominent than theirs (like Pinamungahan, Carcar, or
Barili). Additionally, they were not proud of what their identifier as a municipality were. As Ate Jam
said, “Nilalait nga ang taga-aloguinsan nun eh, kung sino yung may magulong buhok, taga aloguinsan yan. Pag
nakita nila sa city, taga Aloguinsan yung ganyan kasi makapangit ang kalsada maraming alikabok, kaya
pagdating sa city ang buhok nakatayo na.” Now, the municipality’s identifier became the Bojo River.

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When people ask where the Bojo River Ecotour is, people immediately point them to Aloguinsan.
Last November, the researchers had a similar experience. When they were looking for the bus to
Aloguinsan at the South Bus Station in Cebu City, the people’s first response was, “Sa Bojo River
kayo?” Consequently, the members of the BAETAS are proud of the work they’ve put into
managing the Ecotour and the natural resources; so says Nanay Villa, “Masaya sila magtingin sa aming
nature, hindi lang nila nakikita sa iba. Dito sila nakakakita ng ibang klaseng nature nga. Kasi meron nga kaming
sinasabi about mangroves.”
Another indicator of success that Mayor Cynthia stated is the economic benefits that the
ecotourism venture would bring. According to an interview with consultant Boboi Costas, the
allocation of profit is as follows: for every Php 650 tour package, Php 50 of that goes to the Brgy.
Council, 70 pesos will go to the municipal government. An interview with Tatay Primitivo and Tatay
Paul validated this, adding that another part of the profit is allocated to environmental protection.
Ang income sa kanang pag may guest, mayroon nang ano share ang LGU. – Tatay Paul
Mayroon po sa amin ma’am, ay aming community, mayroon yung, yung environmental namin mayroong
kwan…yung share. – Tatay Primitivo and Tatay Paul
As stated in previous news articles, the BAETAS’ overall gross income reached Php 11
Million, with a ten percent share to the Municipality. (Aloguinsan's Ecotourism Jewel, 2013).
In addition to this, the economic benefits of the ecotourism venture (especially to the
BAETAS), has led them to giving back to the community. Every year they fund programs in the
form of medical missions, feeding programs, and handing out school supplies (which was done