IPEN11F

GENEVA S. DEL ALFREDO 04/06/19

FS-301 SIR JUMEL ESTRAÑERO

Political Economy and Its Community Involvement in Nature Tourism:

Its Implications to the Mangrove Forests in a Municipality in Cavite

ABSTRACT

Mangrove forests are extremely important coastal resources, which are vital to our
socio-economic development. Much of the ecological service of mangroves lies in
protecting the coast from solar UV-B radiation, greenhouse effects, and fury of floods,
sea level rise, wave action and coastal erosion. Mangroves contribute significantly to the
global carbon cycle and produce large amounts of litter in the form of falling leaves,
branches and other debris. Besides, mangrove habitats contribute to complex food webs
and energy transfers. The purpose of this research is to determine the involvement and
the awareness of the participants in the Mangrove Forest Project that affects political
economy in a municipality in Cavite. Community involvement made this project possible
and successful. Descriptive method was used in the study and survey questionnaire were
distributed to the 181 participants who are randomly selected. The results showed that in
terms of level of awareness, the participants were moderately aware about the Mangrove
Forest Project. The participants also said that they were moderately involved in terms of
level of involvement. Based on the results, the residents somewhat agree that they are
facing challenges in the conservation of the mangrove forest. Likewise, the residents
agreed into the benefits of the mangrove forest to the community. Hence, it can be
concluded that there are factors affecting the involvement of the local residents in
Mangrove Forest Project. These are their level of their awareness in the project, level of
their involvement, the challenges faced by the local community and lastly the perceived
benefits of the mangrove forest project. It is recommended that the local government
determine other ways on how to disseminate information and establish policies for
development of the Mangrove Forest Project and consistent monitoring of the project.
The researcher also encouraged the local community to be more cooperative in
maintaining the mangrove forest because it will provide a good environmental condition.
Involving themselves in the project will be useful to them for better living and improvement
of political economy in the municipality of Cavite.

1
 I. INTRODUCTION

Every year, more and more international tourists steer away from the traditional
tour and go for the exotic – a nature adventure in a developing country. Reports of rapid
growth in nature-based tourism and recreation add significant weight to the economic
case for biodiversity conservation but seem to contradict widely voiced concerns that
people are becoming increasingly isolated from nature.
In the Philippines, mangrove forest has been considered as part of nature tourism.
However, there is a reported decline of the Philippine mangroves from half a million
hectares in 1918 to only 120 000 ha in 1994, which may be traced to local exploitation for
fuelwood and conversion to agriculture, salt beds, industry and settlements. But brackish
water pond culture, whose history is intertwined with that of mangroves, remains the
major cause of loss.
Mangrove forests are extremely important coastal resources, which are vital to our
socio and political economic development. A vast majority of human population lives in
coastal area, and most communities depend on local resources for their livelihood. The
mangroves are sources of highly valued commercial products and fishery resources and
as sites for developing a burgeoning eco-tourism (Kathiresan and Bingham, 2001)1. The
mangrove forests have been shown to sustain more than 70 direct human activities,
ranging from fuel-wood collection to fisheries (Dixon, 1989; Lucy, 2006) 2,3.
Economically, mangrove forests offer a number of benefits. The mangroves supply
forestry products (firewood, charcoal, timber, honey etc.) and fishery products (fish,
prawn, crab, mollusks, etc.). Due to high calorific values, mangrove twigs are used for
making charcoal and firewood. One ton of mangrove firewood is equivalent to 5 tons of
coal, and it burns producing high heat without generating smoke. Mangroves attract
honey bees and facilitate apiculture activities in some areas.
Nonetheless, recent environmental “narratives” suggest that local people are
effective stewards of forest resources. Local restoration and management of mangrove
forests are now widely advocated as a solution to achieve political economic, social
economic and environmental conservation goals.

1 Kathiresan K., and Bingham B.L., 2001, Biology of mangroves and mangrove ecosystems, Advances in Marine
Biology, 40: 81-251 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0065-2881(01)40003-4
2 Dixon J.A., l989, The value of mangrove ecosystems, Tropical Coastal Area Management Newsletter, 4: 5-8
3 Lucy E., ed., 2006, Counting mangrove ecosystems as economic components of Asia’s coastal infrastructure,

Proceedings of International Conference and Exhibition on Mangroves of Indian and Western Pacific Oceans
(ICEMAN 2006), Aug. 21-24, 2006, Kuala Lumpur, pp.1-14

2
 II. A. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

This study figured out how the community was an involved in the preservation,
development and improvement of the nature tourism focused in the Mangrove Forest
Project. Government started to improve mangrove forest since 2014 up to present
together with the Local Government Unit (LGU), Non-Government Unit and private
sectors.

The research was guided by five inter-related research questions:

1. What is the demographic profile of the participants in terms of?

1.1 Age;
1.2 Occupation;
1.3 Educational Attainment;
1.4 Residency; and
1.5 Years of residency?
2. What is the perceived level of awareness of the residents on the nature tourism
and Mangrove Forest Project?
3. What is the perceived level of involvement of local community to the Mangrove
Forest Project?
4. What are the perceived challenges being faced by the host community in
conducting the mangrove forest project?
5. What are the perceived benefits of Mangrove Forest Project for the local
community?

Scope and Limitations

This study focused on the awareness and involvement of the community in the
Mangrove Forest project. The study to be conducted focused on the awareness and
contribution of the respondents to the Mangrove Forest Project or the study.
Data were gathered by means of interviews and surveys using researcher made
questionnaires.
This study will not include the other form of tourism and will only focus on the
awareness and community involvement in the said project for the improvement of nature
tourism industry of the town. Moreover, the study also emphasized on the understanding
of the respondents regarding the preservation and improvement of natural attraction in
their town.

3
Conceptual Framework
The major concept of the study is focused on involvement of the community
regarding to the case of having mangrove forest project.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. Demographic profile Survey Involvement of the

of the participants in community regarding to
terms of; Data Gathering the case of having
1.1 Age; mangrove forest project
1.2 Occupation; Data Analysis in the municipality.
1.3 Educational
Attainment; Possible and applicable
1.4 Residency; and recommendations for
1.5 Years of the students, academic
residency institutions, local
2. Perceived Level of community, government
awareness of the and future researchers.
residents on the
nature tourism and
Mangrove Forest
Project.
3. Perceived Level of
involvement of local
community to the
mangrove forest
project.
4. Perceived
Challenges being
faced by the host
community in
conducting the
mangrove forest
project.
5. Perceived benefits of
Mangrove Forest
Project for the local
community.

Figure 1. Conceptual Framework based on IPO format

4
 The researcher used the Input-Process-Output (IPO) format to show how the study
was done. This was the guide on how they conducted the study shown in Figure 1.

The researcher looked for the answer or the input through information and ideas
to be used, what is the demographic profile of the participants in terms of age, occupation,
status of education, residence and length of residence. The perceived level of awareness
of the residents on the nature tourism and Mangrove Forest Project. The perceived level
of involvement of local community. The perceived challenges that can be faced by the
host community in conducting the mangrove forest project, and lastly the perceived
benefits of Mangrove Forest Project for the local community.
These questions were answered in the process of survey by using questionnaires,
data gathering and data analysis.
The researcher aimed to have an output in the involvement of the community
regarding to the case of having mangrove forest project and the possible and applicable
recommendations for the students, academic institutions, local community, government
and future researchers.

Significance of the Study

This study would be a great contribution to the information related to the study and
it would be beneficial to the following:

Students. This study will help students to have a knowledge and understanding
regarding the importance of planting mangroves for the natural resources as tourist
attractions. The student will be aware that the Mangrove Forest Project exists, and it will
help them to know the importance of community involvement. In additional, the student
will have knowledge on how this Mangrove Reforestation will affects the Political
economy.
Academic Institutions. Through this study, the academic institutions will improve
their instruction when it comes to teaching the students about the Mangrove Forest
Project. It will encourage the students to be more involved when they are more
knowledgeable about this project.
Local Community. This study will encourage the local community to participate
and contribute in any way for the development and preservation of their natural
attractions. Also, to give awareness about the benefits of planting mangroves to their
livelihood.
Government. The researcher believed that through this study it will help the
government to identify current status or weaknesses of the project and help them to
provide or create a plan to overcome these weaknesses and transform it into strengths.
And, to promote more projects to expand the livelihood of fishing.
Future Researchers. This study will serve as a reference on their future and
possible continuity of the study or to use the study as interpretative material for future
research on the related topic.

5
 B. METHODOLOGY

Research Design
The researcher used the descriptive method in the study. It involves the collection
of accurate evidence and information to give a comprehensive approach to the subject
and focuses on facts and current conditions that have significance to the study. This
concept to the problem solving seeks to answer questions and state real facts relating to
existing conditions. This technique determined the prevailing conditions in the case
chosen from the study.

Locale of the Study

This study was conducted in March 2019 to the municipality of Cavite. The one-
month assessment determined the great impact and contribution of a community in the
mangrove forest project and the effectiveness of the program.

Participants of the Study

181 residents in a municipality in Cavite both females and males with the age range
of 15 and 50 years old and above were considered as participants of the study.
The researcher used the Random sampling technique to determine the number of
participants to be surveyed as they became the respondents to provide insights to the
study. The 181 participants were from the 45,846 population of the Municipality according
to 2015 census. The respondents were taken from the 16 barangays to give each of them
the opportunity to provide knowledge to the study, therefore there were 11 participants
for the 11 barangays and 12 participants from the five (5) barangays that were surveyed
by the researcher.

Table 1
Summary of the participants based on Residency
Location Frequency
Barangay A 11
Barangay B 12
Barangay C 11
Barangay D 11
Barangay E 11
Barangay F 12
Barangay G 12
Barangay H 11
Barangay I 11
Barangay J 11
Barangay K 12
Barangay L 11
Barangay M 11
Barangay N 12
Barangay O 11
Barangay P 11

TOTAL 181

6
Instrumentation

The survey questionnaire is composed of five parts:

The first part contains questions about the background of the respondents which
include their age, occupation, educational attainment, residency and years of residency.
The second part includes the level of awareness of the residents on nature tourism
and mangrove forest project. Below is the list of references that the researchers used in
order to come up with questions relative to ascertain the level of awareness of locals to
the project:
The third part includes the level of involvement of local community to the Mangrove
Forest Project.

In order to identify the challenges that can be faced by the host community in
conducting the project. The following articles were considered:

 ‘Governments ill-equipped to protect mangroves, need to involve

communities: global study’
 ‘Assessment of the local communities’ knowledge on mangrove ecology’
 ‘Mangroves Action Project- Issues’
The last part includes the perceived benefits of the project to the local community.

Data Gathering Procedure

The data for this research were collected using survey questionnaires. The
questionnaire was divided into five parts and were distributed to the local community of
the Municipality in Cavite. Researcher used random sampling technique for this study.

Table 2. Residents Level of Awareness

SCALE/ INDICATOR MEAN SCORE INTERPRETATION

5= Extremely Aware 4.20 -5.00 Very High Level of AWARENESS

4= Moderately Aware 3.40 -4.19 High Level of AWARENESS

3= Aware 2.60-3.39 Moderate Level of AWARENESS

2= Slightly Aware 1.80-2.59 Low Level of AWARENESS

1= Not Aware 1.00-1.79 Very Low Level of AWARENESS

7
Table 3. Residents Level of Involvement

SCALE/INDICATOR MEAN SCORE INTERPRETATION

5=Extremely Involved 4.20 -5.00 Very High Level of INVOLVEMENT

4=Moderately Involved 3.40 -4.19 High Level of INVOLVEMENT

3= Involved 2.60-3.39 Moderate Level of INVOLVEMENT

2= Slightly Involved 1.80-2.59 Low Level of INVOLVEMENT

1= Not Involved 1.00-1.79 Very Low Level of INVOLVEMENT

Table 4. Residents of Perceived Challenges and Benefits

SCALE/INDICATOR MEAN SCORE INTERPRETATION

5= Strongly Agree 4.20 -5.00 Very High Level of AGREEMENT

4= Agree 3.40 -4.19 High Level of AGREEMENT

3= Somewhat Agree 2.60-3.39 Moderate Level of AGREEMENT

2= Disagree 1.80-2.59 Low Level of AGREEMENT

1= Strongly Disagree 1.00-1.79 Very Low Level of AGREEMENT

The data were treated in relation to what were asked in the specific objectives.
These data tabulated, analyzed and interpreted. Statistical tools used were frequency
distribution, percentage and weighted mean.
Frequency distribution was used to present the response on the participants and
the percentage was only used for the total results of the participants.

Percentage: %= f (100)
n

To interpret the results of the data, regarding the level of awareness, the level of
involvement and level of agreement. The weighted mean of each category was obtained
for better representation of data. The weighted mean of each category was computed to
determine the average scores given by the participants. The formula for weighted mean
is:
Weighted Mean: ∑wx/∑w
Where: ∑wx is the sum of all data values

8
 III. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Nature Tourism
Nature tourism means experiencing natural places, typically through outdoor
activities that are sustainable in terms of their impact on the environment. It is a tourism
based on the natural attractions of an area (Atapattu, 2013)4. The local residents
encourage the tourist to experience different activities and be involved in the natural
experiences. Examples include bird watching, photography, stargazing, camping, hiking,
hunting, fishing, and visiting parks. These experiential tourists are interested in a diversity
of natural and cultural resources. They want what is real, and they want to be immersed
in a rich, natural, cultural and historical experience. Natural attractions include deserts,
polar region, rainforests, alpine areas, woodlands, grasslands, mountains, beaches,
swamps, caves, oceans, cliffs, and rivers. People visit natural attractions for several
reasons, these are: to appreciate the greatness of nature, to get away from the stress of
city life, to escape from the crowd, to travel different places, to participate in outdoor
activities in natural surroundings, to study about the environment and to engage in
conserving the environment. Some of these natural attractions are near to cities and
transport systems while others require huge effort to get there – which can be part of their
appeal. Nature tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry. Nature
based tourism gives incentives to the local communities and landowners to preserve the
wildlife habitat which the industry relies on. No matter how popular the attraction it
requires supervision to avoid deterioration of natural ecosystem that are caused by
humans. It needs to be managed so that humans do not degrade the natural ecosystems
that are an intrinsic element of the attraction and that have taken millions of years to
evolve.

Mangrove Forest
Mangrove Forest are a group of trees and shrubs that live in the coastal intertidal
zone. Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator
because they cannot withstand freezing temperatures. Mangrove is an integral part of a
healthy coastal ecosystem in many parts of the world. Mangrove forests stabilize the
coastline, reducing erosion from storm surges, currents, waves, and tides. The intricate
root system of mangroves also makes these forests attractive to fish and other organisms
seeking food and shelter from predators.

Much of the ecological service of mangroves lies in protecting the coast from solar
UV-B radiation, greenhouse effects, and fury of floods, sea level rise, wave action and
coastal erosion. Mangrove swamps act as traps for the sediments and sink for the
nutrients. The root systems of the plants keep the substrate firm, and thus contribute to a
lasting stability of the coast. The ecosystem provides a source of food, breeding grounds
and nurseries for many food fishes and shellfishes, and they do very often encourage and
attract other kinds of wildlife. They further help in offering protection to other associated
flora and fauna of the ecosystems including the islands. The mangrove ecosystems are
highly productive and comparable to good agricultural land. Benefits of mangroves are
25-fold higher than that of paddy cultivation.

4 Atapattu (2013), Nature Tourism Where We Stand Retrieved January 29, 2018
9
 Mangroves possess mechanisms to deal with intense sunlight rays and solar UV-
B radiation. For example, Avicennia species grow in areas endowed with high sunlight,
hot and dry conditions and the species are well adapted to arid zones. Rhizophoracean
species show greater solar UV-B tolerance than do other mangrove species. The
mangrove foliage produces flavonoids that serve as UV-screen compounds. This ability
of mangroves makes the environment free from the deleterious effects of UV-B radiation
(Moorthy and Kathiresan, l997 a, b) 5,6.

Mangrove Forest Project

In 2014 the Agriculture Department of a Municipality in Cavite started the
mangrove project in San Rafael IV. The reason behind this project was they want to block
the wave energy from the storm surge using the mangrove forest. They are also aware
that the mangrove project is committed globally to reverse degradation and loss of
mangrove forest and it is also related to ecosystem. Before the implementation of the
Mangrove Forest Project, permit and other requirements were processed. The Agriculture
Department applied for a permit to the Department of Environment and Natural
Resources (DENR). The Community Based Forest Management Agreement (CBFMA) is
a permit allowing the people to participate in environmental activities and to enter the area
like the mangrove forest. The CBFMA is a production sharing agreement between the
Department of Environment Natural Resources (DENR) and the participating people’s
organization (POs) for a period of 25 years renewable for another 25 years and shall
provide security and incentives to develop, utilize and manage specific portions of forest
lands. They have an existing flowchart for the processing and approval of CBFMA, which
contains the DENR Administrative Order No. 96-29. The City Environment and Natural
Resources Office (CENRO) assisted the Peoples’ Organization in completing the
requirements such as the list of officers and addresses, PO resolution and certificate of
precondition from National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP). For the CENRO
section, a delineation map will be prepared within 5 days from filling of application. The
CENRO shall review all applications within 10 days upon receipt thereof. CENRO will
approve applications covering 500 hectares and below. For more than 500 hectares, the
applications will be endorsing to PENRO. The Provincial Environment and Natural
Resources Offices (PENRO) section, will review all application by the CENRO within 5
days upon receipt thereof. If in order, PENRO may approve application covering more
than 500 hectares to 5,000 hectares. PENRO shall endorse application covering more
than 5000 hectares to the fourth section which is the Resource Drainer (RD). RD reviews
all applications endorsed by the PENRO within 5 days. All the applications that are in
order covering more than 5000 hectares – 20,000 hectares are approved by RD. RD shall
endorse all applications covering more than 20,000 hectares to the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary through Forest Management
Bureau (FMB). The fifth section, is the Forest Management Bureau (FMB), reviews all
application endorsed by the RD within 5 days. If the order will be forwarded to the
Secretary within 5 days for approval. The CMFBA requirements are endorsed to the
PENRO with complete documents. All requirements/documents are attached and the
sketched or map referred to Federal Resources Decision Document (FRDD) completed
folder of application.
5 Moorthy P., and Kathiresan K., 1997a, Photosynthetic pigments in tropical mangroves: Impacts of
seasonal flux on UV-B radiation and other environmental attributes, Botanica Marina, 40:341-349
http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/botm.1997.40.1-6.341
6 Moorthy P., and Kathiresan K., 1997b, Influence of UV-B radiation on photosynthetic and biochemical
10
characteristics of a mangrove Rhizophora apiculata Blume, Photosynthetica, 34(3): 465-471
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1006828505050
 Initially, the project was not pushed through by the Agriculture Department due to
lack of community participation, lack of attention and concern to the project. Mr. Ed
Chavez the Head of Forestry Department of Noveleta, Cavite saw a potential in the
mangrove which is why he continued to develop the project. He knew that it would help
the tourism industry and livelihood of the people. Within the same year, Mr. Chavez
together with the Petroleum Authority of Thailand Philippines (PTT) relaunched the
project called BakaJUAN Project. The PTT sponsored the BakaJUAn project because
they saw the outcome of the super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. They noticed that only the
mangrove remained after the storm and saved the lives of people living in the coastal
areas in the nearby City of Tacloban.
The number of propagules planted during 2014 in Brgy. San Rafael IV sponsored
by the PTT resulted to 50,000 mangroves. The local government unit of Noveleta planned
to reach a goal to plant 1,000,000 mangroves from year 2014 up to 2017. As of December
2017 a total of 991,805 mangroves were planted, which is short from their 1 million goal.
However, February 2018 the one million goal of the local government was reached. The
Noveleta Mangrove Forest covers approximately 64.2 hectares of saline sediment swamp
and mudflats located at the mouth of the majestic Ilang-ilang River. The forest is home to
various coastal flora and fauna. Various mangrove species and other plant or tree species
can be found only in Noveleta coastal areas. Miyapi or Api-api (Avicennia alba), Kulasi
(Lumnitzera racemoza), Bakawang lalaki (Rhizospora apiculata), Bakawang babae
(Rhizospora mucronata), bakawang bato (Rhizosphora stylosa), Banalo (Thespesia
populnea), Dampol (Glochidion littorale), Batikabra (Ipomoea pescaprae), Talisay
(Terminalia catappa), Aroma (Acacia farnesiana), Pagatpat (Sonneratia alba), Tangal
(Ceriops tagal), Buta-buta (Excoecaria agallocha), Ipil-ipil (Intsia bijuga), and Nipa (Nypa
fruticans) are the types of mangroves in Noveleta, Cavite. Also, various coastal species
of fauna can be identified in the area: crabs, salt-water fish species, brackish water fish
species, saltwater and brackish water shrimp species and migratory and indigenous birds.
This project was not only sponsored by the PTT but it was also supported by the
private sectors and other organizations like Maynilad, Philippine Coast Guard-Cavite,
Cavite State University-Naic, De La Salle University-Dasmarinas, Adamson, San
Sebastian College, BFAR (Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources) and Vice Gov.
Jolo Revilla. The sponsorship of the project was done through buying nurseries and
renting the boats of the residents on that barangay.

Community Involvement
Being involved in the community means building relationships. Community
involvement is an active involvement of people living together in some form of social
organization and cohesion in the planning, promotes livelihood in fishing, operation and
control of primary programs, using local, national and other resources. Community
participation promotes shared responsibility by service providers, community members,
and youth. They can work together to advocate for better programs, services, and
policies. Getting the community involved in a program design and implementation helps
ensure that strategies are appropriate for and acceptable to the community. Each
community's members have a rich source of knowledge about their community and of
energy and commitment to that locality. That is why when the public professionals and
the government envision a program to a community, genuine participation by community

11
members, including youth, is the key. Community members control the project while
professional partners build the community's capacity to make informed decisions and to
take collective action.

Local Community
The mangrove forest project does not only depend on the sponsors and local
government, but also with the participation of the locals. The local community has a big
part and great impact in mangrove project. They can be involved through the tree planting
and replanting of the mangroves that happens every year. They can also attend the
seminars and training conducted by the local government and other organizations. The
locals may also cooperate in coastal clean-up or clean up drive activities. The locals
envision that this project will be beneficial to them. They will realize that this project will
attract a tourist that can increase their livelihood. They will also notice that there are
different exotic migratory and indigenous bird that appears in the mangrove forest.

The study intends to shape a better understanding and awareness about the great
impact and contribution of a community in the Mangrove Forest Project to political
economy and also the effectiveness of this program. There are several cases that show
how a community can help in giving solution to a problem, the best example was during
the end of 2013. One of the strongest typhoons in the world, typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda
took many lives and left numerous families homeless. Yolanda destroyed and damaged
almost everything in its path particularly the province of Eastern Samar. The municipality
of Eastern Samar and its community worked together to return everything to normal. In
the course of the study, the researcher can comprehend how the community responded,
contributed, and was involved in a project implemented by their local government to use
as a solution to the problem. The study may serve as a guide for other local government
unit mostly in the nearby district. This helped them in giving possible actions and solutions
to the problems they have especially in nature tourism.

12
 IV. PRESENTATION, INTERPRETATION, AND ANALYSIS

This chapter presents, analyze and interpret the result from the gathered data as
response to the statement of the problem of this study.
These figures are presented according to the sequence of the questions raised in
the statement of the problem and in the form and tables and textual description.

Demographic Profile of the Participants

Table 5. Summary of Participants Based on Age

Age Frequency Percentage

15-25 48 27%
26-32 45 25%
33-40 30 17%
41-50 32 18%
50 and above 26 14%

TOTAL 181 100%

Table 5 presents the frequency and percentage distribution of the respondents

based on their age. Age 15-25 ranked first which has a highest frequency of 48
respondents, with 27%. On the other hand, age 26-32 ranked second with 25%. And age
41-50 ranked third with 18%. While age 50 and above ranked fourth with 17%.

The lowest is ages 33-40 which have a frequency of 52 respondents with 14%.
This shows that the majority of the respondents are young people who fall into the majority
age of 18 to 25 years. Actively engaging youth in the community development projects
can implicitly acknowledged youth as viable and efficient members of the community and
has the potential to result in deeper rooted and more sustainable community change. In
relation with the result, the young people of the Municipality should be more immersed in
the Mangrove Forest Project or other community endeavors to make more changes as
well as to become an active and feasible member of the community. The youth are the
backbone of a society and hence they determine the future of any given society (Iann,
2016) 7. There is a need for those ages 50 and above to actively take part in the project.
However, those belonging to this age are not that active due to their weakening health. If
more people participate in the development of their area, more skills, experience and
knowledge will be gained and will be easily transferred to the new generation (Phologane,
2014) 8.

7 Iann (2016), The Role of Youth In The Future Society Retrieved April 28, 2018 from:
www.kenyaplex.com/resources/13270-the-role-of-youth-in-the-future-society.aspx
8 Phologane, (2014), Evaluating Community Participation in Rural Development Projects: The Case of

Mokgalwaneng Village Retrieved March 22, 2018 13

Table 6. Summary of Participants Based on Occupation

Occupation Frequency Percentage

Farmer 11 6%
Fisherman 17 8%
Factory Worker 20 11%
Construction Worker 25 14%
Self-employed 18 10%
Government Officials 11 6%
Teacher 13 7%
Students 42 23%
Others: 27 15%
-Janitor 3
-House Wife 7
-Call Center 3
-Driver 8
-Vendor 6

TOTAL 181 100%

Table 6 presents the frequency and percentage of the respondents based on their
occupation. The students ranked first which has a highest frequency of 88 respondents
with 23%. Others ranked second with 15% while the Construction Worker ranked third
with 14%. The Factory Worker ranked fourth with 11% and the Self-employed ranked fifth
with 10%. The Fisherman ranked sixth with 8% and Teacher in the seventh position with
7%.
On the other hand, farmers which has a frequency of 24 respondents and
Government Officials which has a frequency of 22 respondents ranked last with 6%. In
this area, the students got higher percentage because most of the students were available
during the collection of data in the Municipality and relating to table 5 most of the
participants ages from 15-25 who are in the youth stage. They are also involved and
knowledgeable when it comes to the mangrove project. The schools also encouraged the
students to join the mangrove tree planting activity that is why they are well informed and
immersed on it. As a result, schools provide activities for the students with ample
opportunities to participate. Whether in the form of participation in discussion or
construction, designs should enable interaction, and group work. When considering the
technologies to support, remember that students no longer just consume information, they
construct it—in multiple media formats.
Others who ranked second with 15% are those respondents who are a janitor,
housewife, call center agents, drivers and vendors. On the other hand, the government
officials got the lowest percentage because majority of the officials are on the duty during
the gathering of data. However, it does not mean that they are not aware and involve in
the project, most of them are required to participate in the actual mangrove tree planting.

14
Table 7. Summary of Participants Based on Educational Attainment

Level Frequency Percentage

Elementary 32 18%
Secondary 80 44%
College 58 32%
Others: 11 6%

TOTAL 181 100%

Table 7 present the frequency and percentage of the respondents based on their
educational attainment. Majority of the respondents has achieved secondary level of
education with 44%. Then College level ranked second with 32% while the Elementary
level ranked third with 18%. Others ranked last which has a frequency of 11 respondents
with 6%. The reason why the secondary level got the highest percentage it’s because
relating to the table 6 most of the participants are students and most of them ages from
15-25 which the highest percentage in table 5 is. Based on the Cavite Quickstat, high
school or secondary level has the highest population with 1, 080,085, followed by the
elementary level with 710, 447. Third is the college level with 678,059 and those not
stated with 5,999 populations (psa.gov.ph, 2016) 9. For the others who got the lowest
percentage shows that there are 21 respondents who did not attained to reach the
elementary, secondary and college level.

Table 8. Summary of Participants Based on Years of Residency

Duration Frequency Percentage

Less than 1 year 18 10%

1 – 5 years 25 14%
6 – 10 years 23 13%
10 years and above 115 64%

TOTAL 181 100%

Table 8 present the frequency and percentage of the respondents based on their
year of residency. 10 years and above has the highest frequency with 115 respondents
with 64%. The 1-5 years ranked second with 14% while those range from 6 to 10 years
ranked third with 13%. Less than 1 year ranked last which has a frequency of 18
respondents with 10%. One of the oldest municipalities of Cavite which there are more
respondents who are living in the town for 10 years and above. Cavite is one of the main
points of entry to Manila by 26 kilometers and accessible by land transport modes;
different people from different places tend to stay to this town for accessibility
(cavite.gov.ph) 10. That is the reason why there are people who lived in this town for less
than a year.

9 Psa.gov.ph, (2016), Cavite Quickstat April 25, 2018 from: psa.gov.ph/content/cavitequick-stat/January-2016

10 Cavite.gov.ph (2018), Retrieved April 04, 2018 from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noveleta
15
Table 9. Perceived Level of Awareness of the Respondents on the Nature Tourism and
Mangrove Forest Project
Weighted
Level of Awareness Indicator Interpretation
Mean
1. The head of forestry 3.70 Moderately High Level of Awareness
department proposed the Aware
mangrove forest project.

2. The government initiated 3.73 Moderately High Level of Awareness

the mangrove forest project Aware
in the Municipality in the year
2014.

3. The government started 3.72 Moderately High Level of Awareness

the implementation of the Aware
mangrove forest project in
Barangay P.
4. The local government of 3.72 Moderately High Level of Awareness
Municipality supported the Aware
project through requiring the
government employees and
others to join in the planting
and replanting activity.

5. The government conduct 3.75 Moderately High Level of Awareness

skills training and seminars Aware
for the community to learn
more about mangrove forest.
6. The birdwatching activity 3.78 Moderately High Level of Awareness
of nature tourism attracts Aware
more tourist that helps the
tourism industry of
Municipality.
7. The mangrove trees are 3.82 Moderately High Level of Awareness
the shelters of the marine Aware
species along the coastal
area.
3.74 Moderately High Level of Awareness
GRAND WEIGHTED MEAN
Aware

It can be gleaned in Table 9 that the respondents were moderately aware of the
following: that the mangrove trees are the shelters of the marine species along the coastal
area with the weighted mean 3.82 as the highest; that the bird watching activity of nature
tourism attracts more tourist that helps the tourism industry of the Municipality with the
weighted mean of 3.78; that the government conduct skills training and seminars for the
community to learn more about mangrove forest with the weighted mean of 3.75; that the
government initiated the mangrove forest project in Municipality in the year 2014 with the
weighted mean of 3.73; that the government started the implementation of the mangrove
forest project in Barangay P with the weighted mean of 3.72; that the local government of

16
Municipality supported the project through requiring the government employees and
others to join in the planting and replanting activity with the weighted mean of 3.72; and
that the head of forestry department proposed the mangrove forest project with the
weighted mean of 3.70. Using weighted mean to find out the level of awareness of the
respondents on nature tourism and Mangrove Forest Project, it was found out that the
quantitative rating of 3.74 (Moderately Aware), showed reasonable level of awareness of
the respondents of Municipality.

Majority of the respondents are students and they were moderately aware that
mangrove trees are the shelters of marine species along the coastal area. This statement
got the highest weighted mean. The reason why the students know this common
knowledge or simple information about mangroves is because it was taught and learned
from the school. In similar with a study of Martin Keely (2013) about the mangrove action
plan, he provided a reference resource for the teachers and students to learn about
mangrove function and to explore more about mangrove forest. It was translated into
English, Spanish, Mandarin and Portuguese and used as part of their official school
curriculum (Mangrove Action Project, 2013) 11.

11 Mangrove Action Project (2017), Conserving and restoring mangroves through CBEMR, education,
advocacy, training and networking Retrieved April 24, 2018 from https://mangroveactionproject.org/
17
Table 10. Perceived Level of Involvement of the Respondents on the Nature Tourism and
Mangrove Forest Project.
Weighted
Level of Involvement Indicator Interpretation
Mean
1. Participated in the tree 3.51 Moderately High Level of Involvement
planting activity of Involved
mangrove forest project.
2. Joined in the replanting 3.56 Moderately High Level of Involvement
activity of the mangrove Involved
forest project.
3. Attended a seminar about 3.59 Moderately High Level of Involvement
the conservation and Involved
development of mangrove
forest project.
4. Cooperated in the 3.63 Moderately High Level of Involvement
decision making together Involved
with other local residence
about the mangrove
restoration and preservation.
5. Volunteered in the 3.73 Moderately High Level of Involvement
clean-up drive to maintain Involved
the cleanliness of the
mangrove forest.
6. Participated in the 3.58 Moderately High Level of Involvement
construction of tower in Involved
mangrove forest area for
birdwatching site
7. Cooperated in 3.59 Moderately High Level of Involvement
disseminating the information Involved
of mangrove forest project
through word of mouth
3.60 Moderately High Level of Involvement
GRAND WEIGHTED MEAN
Involved

It can be gleaned in Table 10 that the respondents are moderately involved of the
following: volunteered in the clean-up drive to maintain the cleanliness of the mangrove
forest with the weighted mean of 3.73 as the highest; cooperated in the decision making
together with other local residence about the mangrove restoration and preservation with
the weighted mean of 3.63; cooperated in disseminating the information of mangrove
forest project through word of mouth with the weighted mean of 3.59; attended a seminar
about the conservation and development of Mangrove Forest Project with the weighted
mean of 3.59; participated in the construction of tower in mangrove forest area for
birdwatching site with weighted mean of 3.58; joined in the replanting activity of the
mangrove forest project with weighted mean of 3.56 and participated in the tree planting
activity of mangrove forest project with the weighted mean of 3.51. Using weighted mean
to find out the level of involvement of the respondents on nature tourism and Mangrove
Forest Project, it was found out that the quantitative rating of 3.60 (Moderately Involved),

18
shown reasonable level of involvement from the respondents of Municipality.
Majority of the respondents are students and they are moderately involved in
volunteering in the clean-up drive to maintain the cleanliness of the Mangrove Forest
Project. This statement got the highest mean with 3.73 because the students prefer the
easiest and most suitable activities that they are going to be part with. There is a step by
step process when planting mangroves, and for a student it takes a lot of effort to
participate in this kind of activity. While through clean-up drive it is an easy activity to join
in and it is not a difficult task especially for a student. Similar with the study about
Community Participation in Mangrove Forest Management in the Philippines, prior to the
MENRO, local community participation within the barangay is largely through coastal
clean-up drives only.
People did not care too much about the mangroves and only utilize it for producing
charcoals or vinegar. The statement about the tree planting activity of mangroves got the
lowest weighted mean because for the respondents it will be inconvenient for them to join
in this kind of activity, for them clean-up drive is better and less hassle to join to.

Table 11. Perceived Challenges of the Respondents on the Nature Tourism and
Mangrove Forest Project.
Challenges Weighted Indicator Interpretation
Mean
1. Lack of financial support of 3.10 Somewhat Moderate Level of
the municipality after launching Agree Agreement
the mangrove project.
2. Insufficient knowledge in 3.26 Somewhat Moderate Level of Agreement
maintaining Mangrove forest. Agree
3. Lack of participation of the 3.23 Somewhat Moderate Level of Agreement
local community to mangrove Agree
forest project.
4. Lack of law enforcement and 3.29 Somewhat Moderate Level of Agreement
monitoring to protect from illegal Agree
encroachment.
5. Illegal cutting of mangrove to 3.34 Somewhat Moderate Level of Agreement
produce charcoal. Agree

6. Poachers illegally cutting 3.40 Somewhat Moderate Level of

mangroves to hunt woodworm. Agree Agreement
7. Limited Community 3.31 Somewhat Moderate Level of Agreement
empowerment to mangrove forest Agree
project.
GRAND WEIGHTED MEAN 3.60 Somewhat Moderate Level of
Agree Agreement

It can be gleaned in Table 11 that the respondents are somewhat agree to the
following challenges: presence of poachers illegally cutting mangroves to hunt woodworm
with the weighted mean of 3.40 as the highest; the illegal cutting of mangrove to produce
charcoal with the weighted mean of 3.34; that there’s a limited community empowerment
to mangrove forest project with the weighted mean of 3.31; that there’s a lack of law

19
enforcement and monitoring to protect from illegal encroachment with weighted mean of
3.29; that there is insufficient knowledge in maintaining mangrove forest with the weighted
mean of 3.26; there is a lack of participation of the local community to mangrove forest
project with the weighted mean of 3.23 and that there is a lack of financial support of the
municipality after launching the mangrove project with the weighted mean of 3.10. Using
weighted mean to find out the challenges being faced by the host community in
conducting the mangrove forest project, the respondents slightly agreed that the
perceived challenges were faced by the host community of the project. The grand
weighted mean of 3.28 with somewhat agree, shown the overall agreement of the
respondents.
The first statement about the lack of financial support of the municipality after
launching the project is somewhat agreed by the respondents and it also got the lowest
weighted mean. The reason for this was the local government focused more on
supporting financially those projects or problems of the community which requires
immediate action. In 2014, Hao Tra12 stated that the only reason for a government service
is precisely to provide financial support for an operation that is otherwise unsustainable,
or else there would be no point in the government’s involvement at all.
The next statement is about the insufficient knowledge in maintaining mangrove
forest. This statement is somewhat agreed by the respondents because most them lack
insight about conserving and preserving the forest. The local community should have
enough knowledge in preserving the mangrove forest so that whatever the government
started for this project would not be wasted. The local government should also give
attention to this by giving and adding more information to the local residents because this
is important for the continuity of the project and for the conservation of the mangroves.
Similar with the study of Feka & Ajonina, (2013) 13 about mangrove forest ecosystem,
they indicated that locals have an insufficient knowledge regarding value of mangrove
that placed the forest into critical condition resulting into degradation and deforestation.
That is why the people should have enough knowledge to make the mangrove forest
project a successful one.
The statement which is about lack of participation of the local community to
mangrove forest project is somewhat agree by the respondents. Participation of the locals
is the most important thing in this project. Participation provides private individuals an
opportunity to influence public decisions and to be a component of the democratic
decision-making process (Shakaia, 2016) 14. The local government should have monthly
visit in the mangrove forest, by assigning every barangay to conduct clean-up drives and
replanting of the mangroves.
Next one lack of law enforcement and monitoring to protect from illegal
encroachment. Without proper law enforcement, the rule of the law would mean. The
municipal government should have a stiff order to avoid trespasser in the mangrove forest
site so that illegal cutting of mangroves will be stop.
The statement about illegal cutting of mangrove to produce charcoal is a really
big challenge in Municipality. The town adopted the wood-charcoal-ban provision that is
why it is prohibited. Cutting mangrove trees is banned by DENR Administrative Order
No. 15-90.

12 Hao Tra (2014), Local participation and livelihood strategies Retrieved March 29, 2018
from:http://www.cifor.org/forestsasia/mangrove-restoration-local-participation-livelihood-strategies
13
Feka & Ajonina (2013), Insufficient Knowledge of Locals Regarding of Mangrove Retrive
April18, 2018from:www.reasearchgate.net/publication/264436407_FeknandAljonina 20
14 Shakaia, (2016), Importance of citizen’s participation Retrieved March 31, 2018 from:ww-

w.ladder-project.eu/?p=16008
 One of the main problems of the mangrove forest project are the poachers illegally
cutting mangroves to hunt woodworm; this statement got the highest weighted mean. Law
enforcement and proper monitoring would be the same solution to avoid these
circumstances.
For the last statement, there is limited community empowerment to mangrove
forest project, people are also somewhat agreeing. Community empowerment
encompasses involvement, participation and commitment to the society (WHO, 2013) 15.
This empowerment should not be bounded; the community would be a great contributor
of information and has a function when it comes to implementation of a local project.

15 WHO, 2013 Health Promotion Glossary Retrieved April 11, 2018 from:
who.int/healthpromotion/about/HPR%20Glossary%201998.pdf
21
Table 12. Perceived Benefits of the Respondents on the Nature Tourism and Mangrove
Forest Project.

Perceived Benefits Weighted Indicator Interpretation

Mean
1. Mangrove Forest Project 3.72 Agree High Level of Agreement
helps stabilized the
coastline in Municipality and
prevents erosion from
waves and storms.
2. The mangrove serves 3.65 Agree High Level of Agreement
as sink for heavy metal
that reduces toxicity of a
given coastal area.
3. The mangrove serves as 3.82 Agree High Level of Agreement
an important carbon sink to
reduce carbon dioxide in the
air.
4. The mangrove forest 3.88 Agree High Level of Agreement
project trainings and
seminars enhance the skills
of the locals.
5. The project gives 3.88 Agree High Level of Agreement
employment opportunities in
the area.
6. The mangrove forest 3.91 Agree High Level of Agreement
project improved fish
production of the town.
7. The mangrove forest 3.69 Agree High Level of Agreement
project helps the
municipality in Cavite to be
known or recognize by other
municipality.
GRAND WEIGHTED MEAN 3.79 Agree High Level of Agreement

It can be gleaned in Table 12 that the respondents agree of the following: that the
mangrove forest project improved fish production of the town with the weighted mean of
3.91 as the highest; that the project gives employment opportunities in the area with the
weighted mean of 3.88; that the mangrove forest project trainings and seminars enhance
the skills of the locals with the weighted mean of 3.88; that the mangrove serves as an
important carbon sink to reduce carbon dioxide in the air with the weighted mean of 3.82;
that Mangrove Forest Project helps stabilizes the coastline in Municipality and prevents
erosion from waves and storms with the weighted mean of 3.72; that the mangrove forest
project helps Municipality to be known or recognize by other municipality with weighted
mean of 3.69 and that the mangrove serves as sink for heavy metal that reduces toxicity

22
of a given coastal area with the weighted mean of 3.65. Using weighted mean to find out
the benefits of the Mangrove Forest Project for the host community, the respondents
agreed that the perceived benefits were gained by the community. The respondents
agreed that the Mangrove Forest Project improved fish production of the town with the
weighted mean of 3.91 as the highest. The Municipality as part of the District 1 of Cavite
has increased their number of fishermen from 2013 to 2016. This mean that there is a
good source of fish in Municipality because of the increasing number of fishermen. During
the year 2013 where the mangrove forest project was not yet implemented there is only
240 fishermen in the town but year 2015 when mangrove forest is already implemented
it increased into 540 number of fishermen (cavite.gov.ph, 2018).The statement about
mangrove that serves as sink for heavy metal that reduces toxicity of a given coastal area
with the weighted mean of 3.65 is the lowest. The respondents are not yet well informed
about this that is why the government should conduct more seminars to improve the
knowledge of the people about the mangrove forest project and also the mangrove itself.

23
 V. SUMMARY, CONCLUSION, AND RECOMMENDATION

Summary
This study was conducted to know the involvement of the community of
Municipality in the Mangrove Forest Project. The researcher focused on the local
community of the town. Descriptive method was used by the researcher to collect
information through survey that used as a material to make this study possible.
The researcher statement of the problem became the pattern of the questionnaire
that were distributed to the local community. The division of distribution of the
questionnaire in the local community was based on the process of dividing the 181 totals
of respondents into 16 Barangays of Municipality. Therefore, there were 11 participants
for the 11 barangays and 12 participants from the five (5) barangays that were surveyed
by the researcher. The results of the local community respondents according to their age
showed that most of the respondents’ age range from 15-25 years old at 27%. While in
the section of occupation a lot of respondents are students with 23% of the respondents.
When it comes to educational attainment the respondents belong to or has graduated
from the secondary level has 44%, with a 10 years and above length of residency.
According to Mr. Ed Chavez the Head of Forestry Department of Municipality the
barangay that is responsible in Mangrove Forest Project is San Rafael IV because they
are the nearest barangay in the site is moderately aware.
The local community is moderately aware about the mangrove forest project with
the grand weighted mean of 3.74. Meaning they have enough knowledge on the history
and activities that is happening in their town regarding to the Mangrove Forest Project.
To improve the knowledge of the locals in this project in Municipality an
enhancement in awareness campaign should be made.
The involvement of the local community in the Mangrove Forest Project was
moderate with 3.60 grand weighted mean. This means that the involvements of the
respondents are closely responsible in supporting the protection and preservation of the
mangroves in the Municipality
The respondents somewhat agree on the different challenges with a weighted
mean 3.28. The different challenges from the highest weighted mean down to the lowest
weighted mean were ranked as follows; poachers illegally cutting mangroves to hunt
woodworms, illegal cutting of mangrove to produce charcoal, limited community
empowerment to mangrove forest project, lack of law enforcement and monitoring to
protect from illegal encroachment, insufficient knowledge in maintaining mangrove forest,
lack of participation of the local community to mangrove forest project, lack of financial of
the municipality after launching the mangrove forest project. Based on the results,
respondents have experienced challenges. In order to stop this illegal activity, the
government must create a law concerning the protection of mangroves.
The respondents agreed to the perceived benefits of Mangrove Forest Project.
This shows that the residents recognized the following advantages that occurs to them
while engaging in the mangrove forest project.
Lastly, in order to make this project more successful and widely spread in the
country, the municipal government and local community should always work together as
partners in preserving and developing the mangrove forest project.

24
Conclusions
The discussion above has evaluated the awareness and involvement of the local
community, also the challenges and perceived benefits of the Mangrove Forest Project in
different barangays of Municipality being implemented by the local government. With the
result given through survey, the researcher therefore conclude that the local residents of
Municipality were moderately aware about the mangrove forest project. Moreover, in
connection to their awareness is their moderately involvement in the conservation and
preservation of the mangrove forest. In relation with the awareness and involvement of
the project are those challenges which is somewhat agree by the locals. While the
perceived benefits of the mangrove project were all agreed by the local community. Their
occupation is also another factor in level of their involvement. For the residents who are
a student are more likely to engaged in the said project for they are informed and aware
that this program will benefit their town and the local people.
The discussion noticed that majority of the respondents are students that is why
they are more aware about the mangrove forest project because it is taught to them in
the schools. According to the respondents they are not aware who implemented the
project, so that the researchers recommended to them that they need to have an
interaction between the participants and the head. The students together with the local
community are involved in the clean-up drives and other activities, to help the government
and the sponsors to maintain the mangrove forest. The researcher concludes that lacking
of fund in proposing a project is a big factor, financial support of the government will keep
the good condition of the mangrove forest. Some of the respondents has insufficient
knowledge in maintaining the mangrove that is why the researcher thought that it would
be a good action on the part of the government to conduct seminars and activities relating
to the mangrove forest for them. The residents’ lack of knowledge can be remedied by
educating them on how to participate in the project. The government’s lack of law
enforcement might cause the residents to think that it is fine not to join and participate in
the project. Without proper law enforcement, the poachers or the one who is illegally
cutting trees for hunting woodworm and the one who is producing charcoal is a big no to
them, because it can cause destruction in the forest. The town adopted the wood-
charcoal-ban provision that is why it is prohibited.
The researcher found out that some of the local residents are not fully involved in
the activities related to the mangrove project. Therefore, the researcher concludes that if
the local government will give assistance and also motivate the residents to participate
then locals will engage themselves to the project. The local residents are willing to get
involved and at the same time be aware as long as the programs and activities are
continuous and well implemented to the community. There is also a factor towards the
perceived benefits of the mangroves and the project that makes the locals to actively join,
the more benefits that they can get to this program, the more that the local community will
involve themselves in the mangrove forest project. The researcher also concludes that
being aware in the mangrove reforestation project can preserve mangrove trees for the
sake of fishes living there. Fishing as the sources of their livelihood, without fishes their
livelihood be affected.

25
Recommendations

The following recommendations are made considering the findings of the study
and conclusion arrived of:

The researcher suggest that the students should make a move by forming a youth
organization that will be the voice of the student body and this organization should share
ideas interest and concern about the project to the local government. As a student who
are more aware about the project, they should also be more involve in the tree planting
activity. The researcher also recommends that academic institutions in Municipality
should include the mangrove forest project to their subjects like science, social studies
and community service by teaching and giving the students more information and
knowledge about the project.
The researcher encourages the local community to be more cooperative in
maintaining the mangrove forest. The local community should have monthly visit in the
mangrove forest to conduct clean-up drives and replanting of the mangrove and they
should also join in the seminars and training that will be conducted by the local
government. In critical areas of the mangrove forest there should be a guard to watch for
the illegal poachers or wood worm hunter to avoid destruction of the mangrove. The
researchers recommend that they should contribute information to the local government
and be more knowledgeable and involve in the project.
The researcher recommends to the government to identify their goals on how they
will maintain the mangrove forest for the sake of political economy. Then government
needs to possess additional funds or financial support to cultivate the project. Establish
policies for the procurement of mangrove and nature sound products and services for use
within governments. The researcher also recommends having appropriate monitoring
system in the mangrove forest to monitor the progress and evaluate strategies to improve
the environmental performance and to have a strong and persuasive law enforcement to
avoid the illegal cutting of mangrove to produce charcoal to avoid poachers. There should
also be recognition to the person behind the project which is Mr. Ed Chavez who is the
head of the Forestry Department or the MENRO. The researcher encourages the other
nearby municipalities to join the preservation and conservation of the mangrove forest by
inviting them to visit the mangrove forest and be part of the activities of the project like
planting, clean-up drives and seminars. Also, to minimize the generation of waste in
coastal areas and to finish the construction of the tower so that it would be convenient to
the tourist to access the birdwatching site. The researcher also suggests that if Mr. Dino
Chua the municipality mayor will propose the project of floating market in Municipality,
they should have proper monitoring and enhance the skills and knowledge of the local
community in protecting the mangrove forest.
The researcher recommends to the future researchers that they should continue
the study because this topic is interesting and timely nowadays. The researcher may use
the result of this thesis as a guide or reference for their further- research and can use this
to deeply dig through their study. Moreover, a comparative study about the community
involvement on nature tourism can be done in order to update the data and results for
additional information.

26
 VI. REFERENCES

Atapattu (2013), Nature Tourism Where We Stand Retrieved January 29, 2018 from: ww-
w.slideshare.net/SudeshAtapattu/nature-tourism

Brooks (2016),The Human Element of Mangrove Project Retrieved February 19,2018

from
medium.com/@USAIDEnviro/thehumanelementofmangrovemanagement3b1794
892e61

Cavite.gov.ph (2018), Retrieved April 04, 2018 from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Noveleta

Conservation International (2014), Improve sustainability of mangrove forests and coastal

mangrove areas in Liberia through protection, planning and livelihood creation as
a building block towards Liberia’s marine and coastal protected areas Retrieved
February 28,2018 from:https://www.conservation.org/gef/projects/Pages/Liberia-
Mangroves.aspx

Cyprien Lomas (2018), Student Practices and Their Impact on Learning Spaces,
Retrieved
From:www.educause.edu/researchandpublications/books/learningspaces/chapte
r5-student-practices-and-their-impact-learning-spaces

Das Gupta, Shaw Participatory Mangrove Management in a Changing Climate, Retrieved

March08,2018from:https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=QZAJDgAAQBAJ&pg
=PA&lpg=PA197&dq=challenges+of+local+community+in+mangrove&source=bl
&ots=SD6RWInQw&sig=qpoqFFna79pfgA7t3IUdRQNI84&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ah
UKEwjIrmnrLZAhXIa7wKHbQxCg8Q6AEIWTAG#v=onepage&q&f=true

David (2016), Mangrove Restoration Project in India: a new initiative. Retrieved April 09,
2018 from: http://www.worldlandtrust.org/news/2016/05/mangrove-restoration-
india

Dixon J.A., l989, The value of mangrove ecosystems, Tropical Coastal Area Management
Newsletter, 4: 5-8

Dizony (2013),Habitat for Humanity Philippines Reaches Out to Noveleta, Cavite Retrived
April21,2018,from:http://www.recyclebinofamiddlechild.com/2013/09/habitatforhu
manityphilippines.html

Feka & Ajonina (2013), Insufficient Knowledge of Locals Regarding of Mangrove Retrive
April18,
2018from:www.reasearchgate.net/publication/264436407_FeknandAljonina

Hao Tra (2014), Local participation and livelihood strategies Retrieved March 29, 2018

27
 from:http://www.cifor.org/forestsasia/mangrove-restoration-local-participation-
livelihood-strategies/

Iann (2016), The Role of Youth In The Future Society Retrieved April 28, 2018 from: ww-
w.kenyaplex.com/resources/13270-the-role-of-youth-in-the-future-society.aspx

Kathiresan K., and Bingham B.L., 2001, Biology of mangroves and mangrove
ecosystems, Advances in Marine Biology, 40: 81-251 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S0065-
2881(01)40003-4

Long, Primavera, Gin, Trivedi (2016), Damage and recovery assessment of the
Philippines'
mangroves following Super Typhoon Haiyan Retrieved April 15, 2018
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X16304842

Lucy E., ed., 2006, Counting mangrove ecosystems as economic components of Asia’s
coastal infrastructure, Proceedings of International Conference and Exhibition on
Mangroves of Indian and Western Pacific Oceans (ICEMAN 2006), Aug. 21-24,
2006, Kuala Lumpur, pp.1-14

Manila Times (2015), PTT plants mangrove propagules in Cavite Retrieved March 17,
2018from:www.manilatimes.net/ptt-plants-mangrove-propagules-incavite/172711

Mangrove Action Project (2017), Conserving and restoring mangroves through CBEMR,
education, advocacy, training and networking Retrieved April 24, 2018 from
https://mangroveactionproject.org/

Mangroves for the future (2016), Participation in protecting and conserving mangrove
forest resources to improve local livelihoods and adapt to climate change, Tuol
Korki Community Protected Area Retrieved April 10, 2018 from:
https://www.mangrovesforthefuture.org/grants/smallgrantfacilities/cambodia/parti
cipatiprotecting-and-conserving-mangrove-forest-resources-to-improve-
locallivelihoodsanadapt-to-climate-change-tuol-korki-community-protected-area/

Matikas Santos (2014), How a forest of mangroves saved a village from ‘Yolanda’
Retrived
February 16, 2018 from http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/649122/how-a-forest-of-
mangroves-saved-a-village-from-yolanda

Mensah (2016), Effects of Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Perceived Benefits of

Tourism on Community Participation in Tourism in the Mesomagor Area of the
Kakum National Park, Ghana Retrieved April 12, 2018 from
https://www.athensjournals.gr/tourism/2016-3-3-3-Mensah.pdf

NAREI (2013), The Guyana Mangrove Restoration Project. Retrieved February 22, 2018
from:www.mangrovesgy.org/

28
Politiko (2018), Noveleta Mayor Dino Reyes Chua hails stunning transformation of once
dirty long beach Retrieved March 06, 2018
from:http://www.southluzon.politics.com.ph/2018/02/20/takenoteboracaynoveleta
mayor-dino-reyes-chua-hails-stunning-transformation-dirty-long-beach/

Phologane, (2014), Evaluating Community Participation in Rural Development Projects:

The Case of Mokgalwaneng Village Retrieved March 22, 2018
from:http://uir.unisa.ac.za/bitstream/handle/10500/18824/dissertation_phologane
_ls.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

Psa.gov.ph, (2016), Cavite Quickstat April 25, 2018 from:

psa.gov.ph/content/cavitequick-
stat/January-2016

Rolando V (2013), An environmental project in Noveleta, Cavite Retrieved April 12, 2018
from:http://ati.da.gov.ph/calabarzon/news/2013/environmentalprojectnoveletacavi
tek/

Shakaia, (2016), Importance of citizen’s participation Retrieved March 31, 2018 from:ww-
w.ladder-project.eu/?p=16008

SMMV Daupan (2016), Community Participation in Mangrove Forest Management in the

Philippines: Management Strategies, Influences to Participation, and
SocioEconomic and Environmental Impacts. Retrieved March 6, 2018 from
https://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/handle/2027.42/118060/Daupan_NREm
asterstesis.pdf?sequence=4&isAllowed=y

Social Pinpoint (2017), Reasons why participation is important benefits of community

RetrievedApril10,
2018from:https://www.socialpinpoint.com/blog/6reasonstoparticipatecommunitye
ngagement/

Super User (2014), BENEFITS/USES OF MANGROVES Retrieved March 30, 2018 from
http://www.mangrovesgy.org/home/index.php/20140427163908/benefitsusesofm
angroves

Ushongo, Conserving and restoring mangroves through CBEMR, education, advocacy,

training and networking RetrievedApril 14,2018 from: mangroveactionproject.org

What is Nature Tourism? Retrieved January 29, 2018 from: tpwd.texas.gov/landwater/la-

nd/programs/tourism/what/is

WHO, 2013 Health Promotion Glossary Retrieved April 11, 2018 from: who.int/healthpro-
motion/about/HPR%20Glossary%201998.pdf

29
 POLITICAL ECONOMY AND ITS COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT IN
NATURE TOURISM: ITS IMPLICATIONS TO THE MANGROVE
FORESTS IN A MUNICIPALITY IN CAVITE

Part I. Demographic Profile

Instructions: Read the following questions carefully and provide the following information
needed.

Name (optional) : __________________________________

Age : __________________________________
Occupation : __________________________________
Educational Attainment : __________________________________
Residency : __________________________________
Years of Residency : __________________________________

Part II. Level of Awareness on Nature Tourism and Mangrove Forest Project

Instructions: Put a check ( √ ) in the column that represents how you feel about the
statement.
Extremel Modera Aware Slightly Not
y Aware tely Aware Aware
Aware
5 4 3 2 1
1. The head of forestry department
proposed the mangrove forest project.
2. The government initiated the
mangrove forest project in the year
2014.
3. The government started the
implementation of the mangrove forest
project in Barangay.
4. The local government of the
municipality supported the project
through requiring the government
employees and others to join in the
planting and replanting activity.
5. The government conduct skills
training and seminars for the community
to learn more about mangrove forest.
6. The birdwatching activity of nature
tourism attracts more tourist that helps
the tourism industry of the municipality.
7. The mangrove trees are the shelters
of the marine species along the coastal
area.

30
Part III. Level of Involvement on Nature Tourism and Mangrove Forest Project

Instructions: Put a check ( √ ) in the column that represents how you feel about the
statement.
Extremely Moderately Involved Slightly Not
Involved Involved Involved Involved

5 4 3 2 1
1. Participated in the tree
planting activity of mangrove
forest project.
2. Joined in the replanting
activity of the mangrove
forest project.
3. Attended a seminar about
the conservation and
development of mangrove
forest project.
4. Cooperated in the
decision making together with
other local residence about
the mangrove restoration and
preservation.
5. Volunteered in the clean-
up drive to maintain the
cleanliness of the mangrove
forest.
6. Participated in the
construction of tower in
mangrove forest area for
birdwatching site
7. Cooperated in
disseminating the information
of mangrove forest project
through word of mouth

31
Part IV. Challenges Encountered on the Nature Tourism and Mangrove Forest
Project

Instructions: Put a check ( √ ) in the column that represents how you feel about the
statement.
Strongly Agree Somewh Disagree Strongly
Agree at Agree Disagree

5 4 3 2 1

1. Lack of financial support of the

municipality after launching the
mangrove project.
2. Insufficient knowledge in
maintaining Mangrove forest.
3. Lack of participation of the local
community to mangrove forest
project.
4. Lack of law enforcement and
monitoring to protect from illegal
encroachment.
5. Illegal cutting of mangrove to
produce charcoal.
6. Poachers illegally cutting
mangroves to hunt woodworm.
7. Limited Community empowerment
to mangrove forest project.

32
Part V. Benefits on the Nature Tourism and Mangrove Forest Project

Instructions: Put a check ( √ ) in the column that represents how you feel about the
statement.
Strongly Agree Somewh Disagree Strongly
Agree at Agree Disagree

5 4 3 2 1

1. Mangrove Forest Project helps

stabilized the coastline and prevents
erosion from waves and storms.
2. The mangrove serves as sink for
heavy metal that reduces toxicity of a
given coastal area.
3. The mangrove serves as an
important carbon sink to reduce
carbon dioxide in the air.
4. The mangrove forest project
trainings and seminars enhance the
skills of the locals.
5. The project gives employment
opportunities in the area.
6. The mangrove forest project
improved fish production of the town.
7. The mangrove forest project helps
Philippines to be known or recognize
by other nations.

33