Initiation and Establishment of Ecotourism Development: Pandin Lake of San Pablo City and Tayak Hill of Rizal, Laguna, Philippines

Initiation and Establishment of Ecotourism Development: 

Pandin Lake of San Pablo City and Tayak Hill of Rizal, Laguna, Philippines

This is an Author's Original Manuscript of an article published in the GeoJournal: Spatially Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities.

Cite as: Brillo, B.B. (2020). Initiation and Establishment of Ecotourism Development: Pandin Lake of San Pablo City and Tayak Hill of Rizal, Laguna, Philippines. GeoJournal: Spatially Integrated Social Sciences and Humanities.  DOI: 10.1007/s10708-020-10216-1

Bing Baltazar C. Brillo, Ph.D.

Professor

Institute for Governance and Rural Development

College of Public Affairs and Development

University of the Philippines Los Ban͂os

Email: bcbrillo@up.edu.ph

Abstract

The Philippines is blessed with an abundance of natural-cultural attractions with an excellent prospect for ecotourism development. Ecotourism has become a key national strategy in promoting local development. Despite this, the country continues to lag behind in ecotourism development as many of its tourism resources in the countryside remain untapped and undeveloped. This situation is exacerbated by the few scholarly discussions on how ecotourism development takes root in a local context. Against this backdrop, the study explores the specifics and dynamics of initiating and establishing ecotourism at the municipal level by looking into the experiences of two localities— Pandin Lake of San Pablo City and Tayak Hill of Rizal Municipality, both in Laguna province of the Philippines. Using a case study design, the article illustrates that in Pandin Lake, the ecotourism development is a locally driven and nongovernmental organisation-inspired initiative, and in Tayak Hill, it is a top-down driven endeavour where the efforts are mainly personal actions of the local executives. In Pandin Lake, the instigating conditions include: the awareness brought about by the save Sampaloc Lake movement; the constraint to aquaculture expansion; the scenic natural beauty of the small lake; and the lack of development-oriented actions by its administrative agencies. In Tayak Hill, the precipitating conditions comprise: the urgent need for instituting a promotional identity for the town and a catalyst for the local socioeconomic development; the advent of a new local government administration that is open to novel development strategies; and the discovery of Tayak Hill as a historical landmark. 

Keywords

Local Development, Ecotourism Development, Local Government, 

Pandin Lake, Tayak Hill, Philippines

1. Introduction

Tourism’s essentiality is evident in the contemporary Philippines’ economic growth and development. The tourism sector is a key contributor to the domestic economy posting around 12.7 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018, and a reliable source of revenues, foreign exchange earnings, investments, and employment registering steady growth in the last five years (Philippine Statistics Office 2019, Philippine Statistics Office 2018). In monetary terms, the total contribution of the tourism industry (i.e., Travel and Tourism: direct, indirect and induced contributions) to GDP is PHP3,347.6 billion and to employment is 7,796 million jobs in 2017 (WTTC 2018, see also WTTC 2019). In the tourism product portfolio of the country, ecotourism, particularly the sustainable tourism of cultural heritage and natural resources, has become the forefront of the development strategy of the Philippine government. Ecotourism accounts for more than 50 percent of international tourist arrivals and is expected to grow most quickly over the next decade (National Ecotourism Steering Committee & Ecotourism Technical Working Group 2014). The ecotourism’s prioritisation and enormous potential for growth are borne by the fact that it requires least cost, particularly in infrastructure investments, and that the country has an abundance of natural assets and cultural attractions which translate into high competitive/comparative advantages (Sicat 2019, Roxas 2015).

Today, ecotourism is globally acknowledged as a national development strategy that can significantly contribute to promoting sustainable development and inclusive growth (UNWTO 2013, UNEP-WTO 2005). This recognition has been underscored over the years, from the World Summit on Sustainable Development and the United Nations’ declaration of the International Year for Ecotourism in 2002 to the United Nations (UN) 65th General Assembly three resolutions on ecotourism in 2010 (i.e., the implementation of the Global Code of Ethics for Tourism, the promotion of ecotourism, and the importance of sustainable tourism for Small Island Developing States). In the Philippines, the concept of ecotourism was introduced in the late 1980s and evolved into a development agenda of the country in the 1990s. Ecotourism as a national development strategy was institutionalised by: (a) the Bohol Ecotourism Congress of 1999 which provided a broad but categorical definition of ecotourism that is sensitive to the Philippine context (i.e., “ecotourism as a form of sustainable tourism within a natural and cultural heritage area where community participation, protection and management of natural resources, culture and indigenous knowledge and practices, environmental education and ethics, as well as economic benefits, are fostered and pursued for the enrichment of host communities and satisfaction of visitors”); (b) Executive Order 111 of 1999 which established the guidelines for ecotourism development in the country, including the mandate for the formulation of the first National Ecotourism Strategy 2002–2012; and (c) Republic Act (RA) 9593 or Tourism Act of 2009 which elevated tourism to the level of engine for socio-economic development and instituted a cooperating framework for the Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the two main agencies identifying and developing ecotourism sites in the country. At present, ecotourism development is reinforced in the National Ecotourism Strategy 2013-2022 which provides the road map for the county’s quest to improve competitiveness in the ecotourism market, and in the National Tourism Development Plan 2016-2022 which sets a medium-term framework for enhancing the competitiveness of the Philippine tourism sector (Department of Tourism 2018, National Ecotourism Steering Committee & Ecotourism Technical Working Group 2014).

Despite the abundance of natural-cultural resources and the consistent growth of ecotourism in recent years, the Philippines continues to lag behind other ASEAN countries and ranks middle the Asia Pacific average on tourism’s absolute contribution to GDP (WEF 2019, WTTC 2018). A major contributing reason for this is the reality that there are still a lot of untapped potentials and challenges in the country’s ecotourism development (e.g., see Brillo 2017, Department of Tourism 2017, Brillo 2016a, Department of Tourism 2014, Roxas 2015, Bagadion & Del Fierro-Juan 2013, Department of Tourism 2012, Department of Tourism 2011, Alampay 2005). This is particularly true on the local level, especially in lower-class municipalities and rural localities where ecotourism development remains in an emerging stage, in which many of their natural and cultural assets are either unidentified, undesignated or undeveloped. Since the 2000s, significant attention has been made to ecotourism by academic literature, especially elaborating on its potentials to promote development in the Philippines (e.g., see Brillo, Quinones & Lapitan 2017, Manalo 2017, Gonzalez 2016, Brillo 2016a, Aguila & Ragot 2014, Okazaki 2008, Alcid 2007, Alampay & Libosada 2005, Alejandrino 2002, Devanadera 2002, Relampagos 2002, Andrada 2002, Guerrero 2000). Despite this, the literature has paid less attention to a critical aspect— how ecotourism gets established at the local level. In particular, scholarly discussions are scarce in giving light to the nitty-gritty of how ecotourism development is bought about and instigated in municipalities and localities. This information deficit translates to a lack of understanding of the basics—  the primary steps in developing ecotourism. 

The identified literature gap furnishes a compelling reason to conduct case studies to delineate the dynamics and essential ingredients of initiating ecotourism at the local level. That is a study that would generate the context-specifics on what are the particular factors that serve as catalysts in establishing ecotourism, and who are the key actors as well as the crucial decisions they have taken. The use of case studies is following relativism or constructivism perspectives which means to understand and explain (rather than aiming a “universal law”) the “context-specifics” of the ecotourism development in a local level (e.g., Crotty 2004, also see Summer & Tribe 2008). Against this backdrop, this study looks into the ecotourism development experiences of two localities— Pandin Lake in the Municipality of San Pablo City (Laguna Province), and Tayak Hill in the Municipality of Rizal (Laguna Province) (see Figure 1). The article assesses the ecotourism’s initiation and establishment by looking at its context and the critical decisions. The cases are exemplary of local development— the ecotourism in the two localities, which was nonexistent in the 1990s, was successfully established in the 2000s, bestowing a distinguishing “trademark” for each municipality. Although the ecotourism in the two localities has been mentioned in mainstream and social media, the scholarly works tackling their development have been largely absent. So far, only one published journal article was found in searching for ecotourism development in two localities in Google Scholar (i.e., Brillo 2016a for Pandin Lake). In exploring each area’s distinct experience, the study generates data that can serve as broad guides for other localities in harnessing their untapped or under-utilised ecotourism assets. On the whole, the research endeavour is anchored on the belief that inclusive growth and shared prosperity in the country can only be achieved through local development; which translates to foster socio-economic development in the countryside where the proportion of poor Filipinos are still consequential (Social Weather Stations 2019, Global Monitoring Report 2015, National Statistical Coordination Board 2013).

2. Framework of Analysis

The study utilises a case study design in understanding the inception of ecotourism in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill. The data are generated from key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observations, and documentary sources, and are delineated via historical-political context and key decisions’ structure. In assessing the ecotourism development, the analysis takes the position that there is no single way but a variety of development experiences and that each local development is a byproduct of its distinct surrounding circumstances and actors’ decisions (e.g., see Brillo 2014, Pedrana 2013, Brillo 2010, Reich 2002). Therefore, in illustrating and explaining each ecotourism development experience, a detailed study is necessary for outlining the specific context and the critical decisions taken. These two elements are constant in the local development equation, where their interface and convergence result in the ecotourism’s initiation and establishment. Context refers to the surrounding conditions or external backdrop which enables or precipitates ecotourism development. It usually generates incentives or opportunity that facilitates the launching of the ecotourism agenda. Actors refer to individuals or organisations who make or influence the decisions to undertake ecotourism development. They are usually stakeholders who have vested interest in local development. Decisions refer to resolutions that result in the adoption of ecotourism as a development strategy. These could either be a critical decision or a series of decisions leading to the instigation of ecotourism in the locality. Under the preceding structure, the results and discussion proceed as follows: (a) a look into the contemporary status and administration of Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill; (b) an evaluation of the ecotourism’s initiation and establishment in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill; and (c) the conclusion and implications. As a concept, ecotourism development is broadly defined in the study as a tourism-oriented undertaking intended to bring socio-economic improvements in a locality and sensitive to ensuring the conservation of the natural resources. As a limitation, the research is merely confined to the ecotourism’s initiation or establishment phase— an area least explored in the literature of ecotourism development.

3. Results and Discussion

3.1 Status and Administration of Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill

Pandin Lake is a small freshwater lake located in Barangay Santo Angel, San Pablo City. The small lake is one of the seven crater lakes of the municipality (i.e., Sampaloc Lake, Palakpakin Lake, Calibato Lake, Bunot Lake, Yambo Lake, Mohicap Lake and Pandin Lake) and is considered the twin of Yambo Lake (see Figure 2). The inland water body is oval-shaped with a surface area of 24.15 hectares and is part of the catchment area of Mount San Cristobal (Laguna Lake Development Authority 2014, Laguna Lake Development Authority 2005a). The seven craters are considered maars of the Laguna Volcanic Field which lies along with the Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal volcano complex (Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology 2008). Being volcanic in origin, the small lakes are widely believed to have been formed through a phreatic eruption when shallow lava from Mount San Cristobal flowed into groundwater causing an explosion that resulted in a crater-like depression (Laguna Lake Development Authority 2008). Pandin Lake has only one outlet (i.e., Prinsa Creek) and no inlets, replenishing from the surrounding natural springs and rainfall.

Aquaculture was introduced in the seven crater lakes in the late-1970s (Guerrero 1979, Radan 1977). Diverging from the trend in the seven crater lakes in the 1980s, aquaculture (i.e., tilapia cage farming) did not proliferate in Pandin Lake. Pandin Lake’s oligotrophic water (which is low in nutrients and phytoplankton resulting in slower tilapia growth) is the often cited reason for this deviation (Laguna Lake Development Authority 2005a). The vigilance of the local leaders in ensuring that the 10-percent-limit rule for aquastructures of the Philippine Fisheries Code (see Republic Act [RA] 8550 section 51) is observed in Pandin Lake is another constraint to aquaculture expansion. Consequently, only three percent of Pandin Lake was occupied by fish cages in 2005 (Laguna Lake Development Authority 2005a), only 14 fish farmers were registered in 2013 (Provincial Government of Laguna 2013), and only around 12 fish cages existed in 2017 (Google Maps 2020). The small-scale presence of fish farming in the small lake has allowed it to escape the over-expansion-related problems of aquaculture common to the seven crater lakes and enabled it to maintain a pristine natural state. This condition has given Pandin Lake the suitability and necessary ingredients for developing ecotourism.

Pandin Lake is under the administrative jurisdiction of the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) by virtue of RA 4850 (as amended by Presidential Decree 813 and Executive Order 927) or the Laguna Lake Development Authority Act of 1966. The statute gives authority to the Laguna Lake Development Authority over the seven crater lakes being situated within the watershed of the Laguna de Bay, the largest lake in the country. Pandin Lake is also under the territorial jurisdiction of the Municipal Government of San Pablo City via the RA 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991. The law confers mandate to the local government over the seven crater lakes being municipal water bodies. In principle, the two agencies co-manage the seven crater lakes; the Laguna Lake Development Authority formulates the comprehensive development framework and approves plans/projects, and the Municipal Government proposes/executes plans/projects and enforces regulations (being in charge of the Local Police and the Barangay Unit of Santo Angel). On the ground, Pandin Lake is looked after by the Pandin Lakewide-Fishery and Aquatic Resources Management Council (FARMC). The Philippine Fisheries Code mandates that a FARMC be formed by fisherfolk organisations/cooperatives and nongovernmental organisations in the locality to assist government agencies in the management, utilisation, and conservation of the water resources throughout the country. In the Laguna de Bay region, the supervision of FARMCs, which under the Philippine Fisheries Code is with the Department of Agriculture (DA), was devolved to the Laguna Lake Development Authority in recognition of its exclusive jurisdiction over the Laguna de Bay region.

Tayak Hill is a naturally raised area of land located in the remote Sitio Malaseña, Barangay Tala, Municipality of Rizal, Laguna. The hill is about six kilometres away from the town proper and is situated at the south of Mount San Cristobal and east of Mounts Banahaw and San Cristobal Protected Landscape (see Figure 3). Tayak Hill is around 560 meters above sea level with a distinct peak (from Mount San Cristobal) which the locals call ‘Tilos’ or ‘Parang’ (Batangrizal 2010). Tayak Hill’s summit offers a panoramic view of Rizal town proper, the Municipalities of Nagcarlan, Liliw, and San Pablo City, and the majestic Mount San Cristobal. The land resource is classified as timberland by the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources although portions of the surrounding lands are utilised for vegetable production (e.g., radish, pechay, cabbage, and tomato). The agriculture operation can be considered usufructuary since Tayak Hill is public domain. Presently, there are about 50 families living and/or farming within Tayak Hill and its immediate vicinity.

During the Japanese occupation of the Philippines in World War 2, Tayak Hill was utilised as a command post of a local guerrilla unit, known as Straughn/Mark’s Fil-American Irregular Troops (FAIT), and served as an improvised airstrip and drop zone for supplies coming from the United States Armed Forces (Dwiggins 2011, Dwiggins 2006). Known as Sitio Tayak at the time, the hill became the headquarters of FAIT guerrillas in 1944, being the area where they fled after the Battle of Santa Isabel in nearby San Pablo City. Tayak Hill became a dropping area for war materials and food supplies in 1945 after an improvised airstrip was constructed in a close-by plateau to serve as a landing field for the retrieval of the three American airmen rescued by the guerrillas in the Municipality of Victoria, Laguna (Dwiggins 2006, Hernandez 1982). These historical events are locally significant; a feature that would become intrinsic to Tayak Hill and serve as a platform for developing ecotourism in the place. Tayak Hill is currently the premier tourist destination of the Municipality. In the long term, the local government intends to develop Tayak Hill into a full-fledged ecotourism hub, comprising of nature, adventure, and wildlife park. 

In the past, Tayak Hill was not frequented by the townspeople since the way was undeveloped and up-sloping which could only be reached by foot or by horseback. In 2011, the Municipal Government launched the cementing of the Barangay road and the construction of the access route to Tayak Hill. The local government also erected a 30-foot concrete crucifix and a shrine of the Madonna del Ghisallo on the top of Tayak Hill. Together with the scenic view, these improvements and attractions made the hill a popular destination among local tourists and a preferred pilgrimage site among Christian devotees during the Lenten Season, which eventually became the peak season for visitors. Beyond this, Tayak Hill is also an area for Department of the Environment and Natural Resources-DA’s reforestation program under the Executive Order 26 of 2011 or the National Greening Program (NGP). The local government and Department of the Environment and Natural Resources-DA are implementing this in collaboration with the farmers of Tayak Hill (specifically, Santo Niño Agroforestry Farmers Association), nongovernmental organisations (such as Haribon Foundation), and the private sector (such as Cemex Holdings Philippines) (see The Manila Times 2015, Cemex Holdings Philippines 2014).

Tayak Hill is under the administrative authority of the Municipal Government of Rizal via the Local Government Code of the Philippines. The statute confers jurisdiction to the local government over the land resource situated within its geographical territory. In developing ecotourism, the Municipal Government has created a tourism council to oversee the preparation and implementation of the tourism plan and related activities (Overseas Fieldwork Report 2016). In practice, the political leaders (particularly the current town Mayor and the former Vice Mayor) have personally spearheaded the ecotourism development campaign in Tayak Hill. On the ground, Tayak Hill is under the supervision of the Barangay unit of Tala. In maintaining the area, the Barangay officials are assisted by the members of Santo Niño Agroforestry Farmers Association, and in securing the place, they are supported by the members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (or CAFGU) (Overseas Fieldwork Report  2016).

3.2 Ecotourism’s Initiative and Establishment in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill

Pandin Lake. The initiative to develop ecotourism in Pandin Lake evolved in the 2000s. The primary precipitating factor was the awareness generated by the movement to save Sampaloc Lake. At the time, civil-society-inspired rallies were taking place in San Pablo City demanding for the rehabilitation of Sampaloc Lake, the premier lake among the seven crater lakes. Since the late 1980s, the condition of Sampaloc Lake has deteriorated due to over expansion of fish cages and proliferation of illegal establishments along its banks which resulted in poor water quality, recurring fish kills, emission of foul smell, and eutrophication (Brillo 2016b, Laguna Lake Development Authority 2008, Laguna Lake Development Authority 2005b). This environmental drawback has repercussion to the rest of the seven crater lakes; in particular, the locals have become conscious of the ramifications of neglecting the small lakes as well as the need to take actions to save them. The awareness motivated some environmentally concerned individuals, such as members of Fundacion Kalikasan, to make efforts to help safeguard Pandin Lake which is still in its pristine condition.

Another factor working for ecotourism development is the inherent features of Pandin Lake. The small lake’s unfavourable water for fish farming (i.e., resulting in slow fish growth) has encouraged the locals to consider alternative livelihood opportunities. The limitation on aquaculture has culminated in less resistance among fish farmers, and the unspoilt beauty of Pandin Lake has bestowed a motivation for the locals to pursue a natural-resource-based tourism activity. Furthermore, the absence of development-related efforts from the administrative agencies in Pandin Lake has compelled the locals to take actions on their own. The lack of actions from the Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Municipal Government has, on the one hand, impeded the development of the small lake, and on the other hand, paved the way for an endogenous development undertaking.

In the early 2000s, members of a local environmentalist group— Fundacion Kalikasan, approached the residents of Pandin Lake and conveyed their interest to help in the conservation of the small lake. The residents, particularly the wives of fishermen, manifested that what they need are alternative livelihood opportunities to prevent the locals from overly exploiting the small lake. In response, the members of Fundacion Kalikasan launched livelihood training activities, such as gardening, cooking, and soap making, intended to capacitate and augment the meagre income of the locals. The training activities had limited success since some residents, especially men, did not support the endeavour. However, this undertaking indelibly established the link between Pandin Lake and the nongovernmental organisation. In particular, the engagements between the lake residents and Foundation Kalikasan have instilled among the locals a better appreciation of protecting the water resource and the potentials of developing ecotourism in the small lake.

In 2003, a group of mostly women residents of Pandin Lake purposefully sought the assistance of Fundacion Kalikasan in organising a raft-riding tour project in the small lake. The members of Fundacion Kalikasan helped the locals conceptualise the lake tour operation and counselled them on how to operate the rafting services. Fundacion Kalikasan also provided the initial capitalisation (i.e., loaning the P40,000 start-up funds) and publicised the lake tour (e.g., introducing Pandin Lake tour to Lakbay Kalikasan, an enterprise specialising in educational tours and field trips). Starting with rudimentary services, such as raft ride and native foods, the lake tour project gradually transformed into a full-fledged ecotourism enterprise, as local and foreign tourists steadily visited the small lake. In 2005, the Samahan ng Kababaihang Mangingisda at Bangkera sa Lawa ng Pandin (SKMBLP) was organised to directly manage the ecotourism enterprise. With the favourable outcome, Pandin Lake became a prime tourist destination in San Pablo City, rivalling the long-established Sampaloc Lake (see Figure 4). The Laguna Lake Development Authority and the Municipal Government took notice of Pandin Lake, particularly when its ecotourism success reached mainstream media and social media. In early 2014, the Laguna Lake Development Authority issued Board Resolution No. 464 which established the Framework for the Formulation of Development and Management Plans for the Seven Crater Lakes (Laguna Lake Development Authority 2014). Following this, the Laguna Lake Development Authority, in cooperation with the local government, prioritised the formulation of a Development and Management Plan for Pandin Lake (i.e., the first among the seven crater lakes). At the end of the year, the master plan of Pandin Lake was completed, and the Pandin Sustainable Ecotourism Development Cooperative was created as the implementing organisation.

Tayak Hill. The initiative to develop ecotourism in Tayak Hill evolved in 2010. The main contextual factor was the municipality’s pressing need to have an identity and a catalyst for economic improvement. Rizal is a fifth-class and agricultural town which has long been depicted as the poorest municipality in the Province of Laguna. With an annual income of only P54 million in 2014, the Municipality of Rizal is dependent on the internal revenue allotment given by the national government for its finances (see Municipality of Rizal 2014, Municipality of Rizal 2013). It has the lowest yearly income among the municipalities in Laguna and is currently ranked 1170th (at the bottom tier) among all the municipalities in the country (National Competitive Council 2016). Moreover, the town is little known (often mistaken for Rizal province) and has long been economically overshadowed by its more progressive neighbours— the Municipalities of Nagcarlan and San Pablo City. The municipality also suffers from the lack of promotional emblem (e.g., San Pablo City has the Seven Crater Lakes, and Nagcarlan has the Underground Cemetery) which is vital in giving the town a distinct identity and a tourism publicity.

The key driving force in the establishment of ecotourism in Tayak Hill was the onset of a new administration after the 2010 elections. The new administration is resolute in addressing the municipality’s enduring issues— the absence of identity and impetus for socio-economic development. In particular, the elected Mayor and Vice Mayor are open to novel ideas and ways to make headway in improving the lowly status of the municipality. This intention prompted the Municipal Government to look into ecotourism as a catalyst in precipitating local development. The pursuit of ecotourism led the local government to stumble upon a historical account giving significance to Tayak Hill. The writings— “Guerrilla Interview” (see Dwiggins 2011 and Dwiggins 2006) and “For Love of Freedom” (see Hernandez 1982) depicted the area of Tayak Hill as a local guerrilla command post and an improvised airstrip and supply drop zone in 1945 during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines (Batangrizal 2011a). This discovery made Tayak Hill a potential historical landmark that can furnish the identity needed by the town as well as offer a viable platform for developing ecotourism. With this, the local government (i.e., through the Office of the Vice-Mayor) moved for its recognition as a historical site, launched an awareness-information campaign among the locals, and undertook the preliminary steps for establishing ecotourism. In synchronisation, the Municipal Government reoriented the town’s development strategy by anchoring it to Tayak Hill’s ecotourism development.

In early 2011, the Municipal Government set off the groundwork for developing ecotourism in Tayak Hill. The project was publicised as Tayak Adventure and Nature Park and the Landing Point and covered an area of 24 hectares. The initial step taken was to solicit funds for the upgrade of the road in Barangay Tala leading to Tayak Hill. The local government was able to utilise the Farm-to-Market Roads program of DA under RA 8435 or the Agriculture and Fishery Modernization Act of 1997.  Another early step taken was the construction of a giant crucifix and a replica of Madonna del Ghisallo (Patroness of Cyclists) at the summit of Tayak Hill which was intended to attract people, particularly adventurers/cyclists and devotees (Batangrizal 2011b) (see Figure 5). The local government tapped its officials and scouted for sponsors to fund the project. The Municipal Government actively sought external assistance in putting up infrastructures and facilities in Tayak Hill. For instance: SunPower Philippines (a private company) donated solar lamp posts (to light up the way to the hill), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) gave solar panels for electricity (as the hill lacks power supply); the town’s well-to-do people (e.g., businessmen, professionals, natives working or residing abroad) contributed to help fund some infrastructure projects (e.g., steps going the peak); and the World Bank (WB) provided a loan as monetary support for the construction of essential facilities (e.g., material recovery facility and tourist centre). The local government also tapped in institutional support and linkages. For instance: the University of the Philippines Landscape Architecture Department drafted the initial master plan (Overseas Fieldwork Report  2016); Department of Tourism recognised Tayak Hill as a potential ecotourism destination; Department of the Environment and Natural Resources supported the reforestation program in the area; and the Provincial Government helped in the promotion and publicity.

In 2012, the ecotourism project in Tayak Hill was formally launched by the Municipal Government under the banner name— Tayak Adventure, Nature and Wildlife Park (TANAW), with the aim of making the Rizal municipality a popular tourist destination in the province of Laguna. In particular, the local government seeks to generate its own source of revenue, inscribe a district identity to the town, and create livelihood opportunities to the locals. The Municipal Government elevated Tayak Adventure, Nature and Wildlife Park to its flagship tourism project and broadened the envisioned scope of ecotourism development to incorporate a nature park, an adventure-sports activity hub, and agro-tourism. The local government has also integrated a religious element in Tayak Hill’s ecotourism development (i.e., by erecting the giant cross and a shrine of the Madonna on the peak). This unusual intermixing of a nature-adventure/sports-and-agriculture tourism and a pilgrimage site in Tayak Hill has worked well in arousing interests and in attracting people— tourists and Christian devotees (especially during the Holy Week season). In parallel, the Municipal Government, through the Municipal Tourism Office and BatangRizal Organisation, launched a vigorous campaign to promote Tayak Adventure, Nature and Wildlife Park, particularly in the mainstream and social media. Presently, while infrastructure improvements are visible and tourists have been coming to Tayak Hill, the tourism facilities and other projects are still to be completed.

4. Conclusion and Implications

Going back to the aim— how ecotourism development of Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill is bought about and instigated— the study outlines the specific context and the key decisions to understand the initiation and establishment of the ecotourism at the local level. In Pandin Lake, the instigating conditions include: the awareness brought about by the save Sampaloc Lake movement; the constraint to aquaculture expansion; the scenic natural beauty of the small lake; and the lack of development-oriented actions by its administrative agencies. In confluence, these circumstances offered the incentive to pursue ecotourism in Pandin Lake and impetus for its endogenous development endeavour. In Tayak Hill, the precipitating conditions comprise: the urgent need for instituting a promotional identity for the town and a catalyst for the local socioeconomic development; the advent of a new local government administration that is more willing to try novel development strategies; and the discovery of Tayak Hill as a historical landmark. Converging, these circumstances rendered the stimulus to advance ecotourism in Tayak Hill and propel the municipality’s development strategy. As to the key decisions, the critical juncture in Pandin Lake was the engagement between the lake residents and Fundacion Kalikasan where the locals sought assistance and the nongovernmental organisation readily agreed to help. The crucial point in Tayak Hill was the Municipal Government’s strategic decision to resolutely pursue an ecotourism development strategy. These pivotal moments eventually led to the instigation and establishment of ecotourism in each area. 

The ecotourism development in Pandin Lake illustrates a locally driven and nongovernmental organisation-inspired initiative. The proposition tendered is that deliberate actions of the locals with the firm support of a nongovernmental organisation, sans administrative agencies’ involvement, can still be effective in steering and bringing about local development. However, the intercession of the administrative agencies is deemed necessary to sustain and further develop the ecotourism enterprise in Pandin Lake, especially in implementing the Development and Management Plan. On the other hand, the ecotourism development in Tayak Hill shows a top-down driven endeavour where the efforts are mainly personal initiatives of the local executives (i.e., the Mayor or Vice Mayor). The proposition espoused is that a deliberate quest of the local government is an effective way in precipitating local development even without or minimal participation/involvement of the locals. However, the meaningful involvement of the locals and “institutionalisation” of the managing organisation are deemed necessary to strengthen and sustain the ecotourism in Tayak Hill, particularly beyond the terms of the current officials of the local government. Overall, despite taking a different route, the experience in establishing ecotourism Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill was not only successful but enjoyed strong support from their respective communities.

However, as in most local development initiatives in the country, the ecotourism development in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill is hindered by financial issues. In Pandin Lake, the pressing concern is the capital needed to carry out the Development and Management Plan and to construct the facilities to make them compliant with the standards of a full-fledged tourism destination. In Tayak Hill, the immediate concern is the funding required to fully complete the ecotourism projects and to remunerate the maturing debts incurred by the Municipal Government in developing the place. Moreover, to expand the spread effects of development, the ecotourism in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill can serve as a platform for developing other potential tourist attractions of each municipality. For instance, an attempt should be made to link-up Pandin Lake’s ecotourism with Yambo Lake (its twin lake) and Calibato Lake (a nearby lake), and Tayak Hill’s ecotourism with Nalagalas Falls (a close by waterfall) and Calibato Lake (Rizal town’s side) (see Brillo 2016c). This undertaking would not only complement the existing ecotourism in Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill but more importantly, help disperse development to other localities.

On the whole, the article delineates the nitty-gritty of developing ecotourism at a local level and context. The findings are relevant contemporarily since ecotourism had become a preferred alternative among many local governments in developing their natural resources and assets. Ecotourism development provides a viable prospect for local economic expansion and the creation of livelihood opportunities. Ecotourism also brings more attention and vigilance from stakeholders (i.e., the community, local government, national agencies, nongovernmental organisations, and mainstream/social media) and induces to the locals to organise, which can translate to better conservation of a natural resource as well as a potential for empowering the locals. These attributes are essential ingredients for fostering the sustainable development of a locality as well as incentives in safeguarding the natural resource and precipitating better local governance. On the broader scale, the findings are also consequential since the country is rich in natural/cultural resources and assets (that have superb potentials for ecotourism) of which many are still to be developed and utilised. The experiences of Pandin Lake and Tayak Hill can serve as encouragement and broad guides to other municipalities in their quest to harness ecotourism as a catalyst for local development. In closing, the article augments the literature by illustrating how ecotourism takes root in a local context and advances the ecotourism development agenda at the forefront of local development discourse.

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