BIPSU Culture & Ecotourism Group

Developing Higatangan Island as Ecotourism Through Community Participation:

Basis for Improvement

Background and Rationale

Ecotourism is nature-based tourism that incorporates environmental

interpretation and instruction with a focus on ecological sustainability. This definition
acknowledges that the word "environment" encompasses cultural elements and that the
term "ecologically sustainable" refers to resource conservation over the long term and
an appropriate return to the local community (The National Ecotourism Strategy, 1994
as cited by Kiper, 2013). It has many different objectives, including lowering
environmental issues, assisting democratic, decentralized communities, enhancing local
livelihoods, enhancing the management of natural resources, and lowering poverty in
underdeveloped and rural areas (Agardy, 1993; Xu et al, 2022; Blau et al, 2022;
Ziyeviddinovich, 2022). A potential to create a special ecotourism destination that
highlights its natural beauty and cultural legacy exists on Higatangan Island, one of the
most popular tourist attractions in the Province of Biliran. The island is the top choice for
both domestic and international tourists because of its moving sandbar, white sand
beaches, beautiful waters, and variety of marine life. According from the data from
Department of Tourism, the Municipality of Naval had an estimated 30, 000 tourists in
the year 2019 (DOT, 2019). Evident in the studies that community participation is crucial
in the development of sustainable ecotourism. The failure for the local communities to
participate leads to unsustainable practices and environmental degradation (Thapa et
al, 2022; Das & Chatterjee, 2022; Kaefer, 2022; Swarbroke, 2016). Thus, community
participation is essential and one of the main contents of ecotourism development (Yi-
sha & Cheablam, 2021). This study aims to find out the level of local community
participation of the residents in Higatangan Island and to develop the island as
ecotourism site.

Objectives

This study aims to assess the Higatangan Island as ecotourism site through
community participation.

Specifically, this study aims to:

1. Determine the socio-demographic profile of the respondents, in terms of:

1.1. Age,
1.2. Sex,
1.3. Highest Educational Attainment,
1.4. Length of Residency,
1.5. Occupation,
1.6. Monthly Income.
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2. Find out the perception of the respondents on the level of ecotourism

sustainability, in terms of:
2.1. Environmental-physical;
2.2. Demographic- social; and
2.3. Economic- Institutional.

3. Evaluate the level of local community participation of the respondents, in terms

of:
3.1. Demographic-social.

4. Ascertain the relationship between the socio-demographic profile and the

perception of the respondents on the level of ecotourism.

5. Ascertain the relationship between the perception of the respondents on the level
of ecotourism sustainability and the level of local community participation.

6. Explore the challenges and opportunities for sustainable ecotourism

development.

Industry Analysis

Higatangan is an island located in the northwest tip of Leyte. The island, which is
under the jurisdiction of the Municipality of Naval, could be reached through a 45-minute
to 1hour bangka ride from the poblacion. It is well-known for its 200-meter-long sandbar,
located in Barangay Mabini, that stretches out into the calm sea. The island also offers
a variety of other attractions such as a diverse array of coral reefs, various types of clam
shells, natural stone formations, refreshing sea breezes, and diverse species of fish like
tambakol and skipjack tuna and other seafoods. Additionally, the island is surrounded
by coconut trees and offers fresh coconut juice and salads as a treat for visitors. Its
towering lighthouse gives tourists and visitors a panoramic view of the entire island.
More importantly, the island inhabitants are known for their warm hospitality towards
visiting tourists.

Island Attractions:
a. Higatangan Shifting Sand Bar
b. Higatangan Rock Formations
c. Marcos Hills/Lighthouse
d. White sand beaches
e. Higatangan beach Resort
f. What to Bring
g. Food
h. Water

Island Activities:
a. Fishing
 BIPSU Culture & Ecotourism Group

b. Camping
c. Trekking
d. Scuba Diving
e. Snorkeling
f. Cliff Diving
g. Boating/Kayaking
h. Picnic
i. Photo op

Island Accommodations:
a. Higatangan Island Beach Resort
b. Hagdan Beach Resort
c. Emponet Beach Resort
d. Limpiado White Beach Resort

One of the main industries on Higatangan Island is tourism. The island’s natural
beauty and serene atmosphere makes it a perfect escape from the hustles and bustles
of an urban life. Thus, it has captivated the heart of tourists from all over the country and
even abroad. The island's coral reefs and diverse marine life also make it a popular
destination for snorkeling and diving. The last major tourism activity that the island has
hosted was the Higatangan Island Summer Fest which was annually held since 2016,
but was put to hiatus during the pandemic.

Another major industry on the island is fishing. The island's waters are rich in
diverse species of fish and seafood, that many local residents depended on to make
living by fishing. The island also has a small-scale fish processing industry.

Agriculture is also an important industry on the island. The island's fertile soil and
abundant rainfall make it ideal for growing a variety of crops, including coconuts, corn,
and root crops which are major sources of income for local [Link] materials from
its forests are used in small-scale manufacturing industry, which produces various
goods such as coconut oil, handicrafts, and other products.

Higatangan Island with its beauty and abundance offers many possibilities to the
locals. Here are a few examples of potential business opportunities for locals on
Higatangan Island in Biliran:

1. Tour and travel agency: With the increasing number of tourists visiting the island,
starting a tour and travel agency could be a good business opportunity. The
agency could provide services such as island hopping tours, snorkeling and
diving trips, and guided tours of the island's natural attractions.

2. Homestay or guesthouse: As the number of tourists visiting the island increases,

there is a growing need for accommodation. Starting a homestay or guesthouse
could be a good business opportunity for locals.
 BIPSU Culture & Ecotourism Group

3. Seafood restaurant: The island's waters are rich in fish and seafood, and starting
a seafood restaurant could be a good business opportunity for locals. The restaurant
could serve a variety of fish dishes, including local specialties such as tambakol and
skipjack tuna.

4. Coconut products: The island is known for its coconut trees and starting a
business that produces coconut products such as oil, copra, or even coconut wine,
could be a good business opportunity for locals.

5. Handicrafts: The island has a small-scale manufacturing industry that produces

handicrafts and other products. Starting a business that produces and sells locally-
made handicrafts, such as woven baskets or shell jewelry, could be a good business
opportunity for locals.

6. Diving and snorkeling equipment rental: With the island's coral reefs and diverse
marine life, many tourists come to the island to snorkel and dive. Starting a business
that rents out diving and snorkeling equipment could be a good business opportunity
for locals.

7. Eco-Tourism: The island's natural beauty and serene atmosphere make it a great
place for eco-tourism and adventure tourism. Starting a business that provides eco-
tourism activities such as bird watching, nature hiking, and camping, could be a
good business opportunity for locals

Overall, the island's economy is largely based on tourism, fishing and agriculture.
Although its remote location has offered some advantages, it cannot be denied that it
has also made it difficult for new industries to establish themselves on the island. Due to
its distance from the main land, the island's infrastructure remains insufficient. Engergy
and water supply sufficiency remains a challenge among the locals and the main
concern of the local government of Higatangan.

In recent years, the island's tourism industry has grown significantly, and this has
had a positive impact on the island's economy. The island's natural beauty and serene
atmosphere continue to attract visitors, and the island's potential for eco-tourism and
adventure tourism is also considerable. However, the island needs to improve its
infrastructure, in order to attract more visitors and businesses to the island, and to
support the growth of existing industries. There is also a need to make the tourism
industry in the island more resilient to unexpected disruptions like the pandemic.

Regional/ Provincial Context

Ecotourism helps in community development by providing an alternate source of

livelihood to the local community which is more sustainable. Its aim is to conserve
resources, especially biological diversity, and maintain sustainable use of resources,
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which can bring ecological experience to travelers, conserve the ecological environment
and gain economic benefit.

Biliran is an island province in the Eastern Visayas region that has rich natural
resources and vast opportunities for development through ecotourism. As a growing
community of diverse people, every place narrates its cultural uniqueness which is
manifested in its way of living and its environment. With the number of beautiful places
in the province, Higatangan Island is one viable resource for ecotourism. The stretch of
white-sand beaches and the shifting sand bar already had been an enticing beckon that
tourists cannot resist, hence, it has been a favorite spot of both foreign and local
tourists.

One of the major problems that are akin to tourism development is how to
preserve the natural ecology of the tourism zones. Boracay Island had to close to
undergo rehabilitation because of the extreme damage caused by tourism activities.
The incident is already a warning to all island resorts and beaches to strictly impose
policies and regulations to avoid the same situation to happen on their own tourist
destinations. The closure of Boracay cost the livelihood of the community and economic
loss to the region. Many workers were displaced and forced to live in a hand-to-mouth
existence until the rehabilitation is done. Looking at the Boracay incident as
precedence, research was ventured by the researchers to avoid the same predicament.

This research generates employment that ensures long-term stability because of

its limitless resources yet anything can change and deteriorate without the observance
of policies and regulations to protect the natural resource from use and abuse. Hence,
this research will determine the sustainability of ecotourism areas of the province in
terms of protection of biodiversity, particularly Higatangan Island which already gained
global popularity as it was featured in travel magazines and vlogs. It is undeniable that
with progress comes degradation, especially in an exploitable resource like tourist
locations. This undertaking will assist the local government of Biliran in the
implementation of the policies and regulations that will protect and conserve the
environment of identified tourism sites to ensure continual sustainability. The result of
the research will not only ensure the sustainable development of the province, but it will
create a ripple effect that will positively affect the tourism industry of the whole Eastern
Visayas region.

Stakeholders and their Situations

This study is beneficial to the following stakeholders:

Local Community. The local community is the major beneficiary of this study. It will
provide them sustainable job and income from ecotourism activities, such as it opens
more employment opportunities and increased economic activity. They can also help
promote the island as an ecotourism destination and ensure that the environment is
protected.
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Local Government. The LGU can provide the necessary infrastructure, such as roads,
bridges, and utilities, to make the island accessible to tourists. They can also create
regulations and policies to protect the environment and ensure that ecotourism activities
are sustainable. The more tourists onboard, the more economic impact that our local
government benefits.

Private Businesses. They can help create amenities and facilities on the island to
make it more attractive to tourists. They can also promote the island as an ecotourism
destination to potential visitors.

Non-Government Organizations. NGOs can provide the support to the local

community to ensure that the environment is protected and that the local population
benefits from ecotourism activities. They can also work with the local government to
create regulations and policies that promote sustainability.

Contribution to SDG

The development of Higatangan Island as Ecotourism can possibly contribute to the

United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the following:

 SDG 4. Quality Education: One of the components of ecotourism is the learning

of the local and foreign tourists on the natural beauty of the island and its cultural
heritage. In this development, it provides an accessible quality education to every
tourists who will visit the site.

 SDG 5. Gender Equality: Ecotourism development can support gender equality

and women's empowerment by generating economic possibilities for both sexes.

 SDG 8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Locals may benefit economically
and in terms of employment from the growth of ecotourism, notably in the
tourism, fishing, and conservation sectors. This may aid in lowering poverty and
fostering regional economic development.

 SDG 12. Responsible Consumption & Production: Utilizing environmentally

friendly goods and services, cutting waste, and supporting sustainable tourist
initiatives are just a few ways that ecotourism development can support
sustainable production and consumption habits.

 SDG 13. Climate Action: Ecotourism development on Higatangan Island can

support resistance to the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas
emissions, and mitigate their effects through supporting sustainable tourism
practices.

 SDG 14. Life Below Water: The ecotourism on Higatangan Island may
encourage the preservation and sustainable use of the island's marine resources,
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so assisting in the preservation of the coral reefs and rich marine life that are
present there.

 SDG 15. Life on Land: To maintain the island's distinctive flora and fauna and
prevent habitat degradation, ecotourism development on Higatangan Island can
encourage the protection and sustainable use of the island's terrestrial and
coastal ecosystems.

 SDG [Link] for Goals: Partnerships between the government, the

commercial sector, NGOs, and local communities, as well as these sectors and
stakeholders, are necessary for the development of ecotourism on Higatangan
Island to be successful.

Literature Cited

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Sobhani, P., Esmaeilzadeh, H., Sadeghi, S. M. M., Wolf, I. D., & Deljouei, A. (2022).
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Swarbrooke, J. (2016). Sustainable tourism management. Routledge.

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Yi-sha, M. & Cheablam, O. (2021). The Study of Local Community Participation of

Ecotourism Development in Daming Mountain Nature Reserve in Nanning, Guangxi,
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