VIRTUAL: Livable Cities – New York

Abstract

View film

In the last two decades, tourism has been significant in the economic growth of developing nations like the Philippines. In 2018, it recorded its peak of 7,168,467 million tourist arrivals, or Php 2.2 trillion Tourism Direct Gross Value Added. This also benefited the locals with 5.71 million of employment opportunities. Located within the coral triangle, the Philippine archipelago has also been blessed with biodiversity. These include five out of seven species of sea turtles or pawikan. However, they are threatened by plastic materials & pollution, poaching and poor public awareness. These challenges contribute to growing decline of endangered species. National efforts to ensure their protection and preservation have already spanned four decades.
In support of its local government’s environmental advocacy, a community-led environmental initiative was created during the pandemic period. Known as the Pag-Asa Pawikan Protection and Conservation Center, the group is composed of community leaders, small-scale resort owners, and concerned individuals. Guided by an eco-tourism approach, the center is slowly gaining support from its provincial government, private organizations, and professional groups. Through good coordination and collaboration, the center has already established a sea turtle hatchery, trained sea patrollers, and well-supported community events, which includes the release of hatchlings. The paper aims to share the small success and ongoing challenges of this environmental group.