Rationale

Ecotourism a significant tool for economic and

sustainable development of the country
Environmentally sustainable
Economically viable
Socially equitable
Promote and safeguard ecotourism sites in the
Philippines
Enhance livelihood opportunities to local young
entrepreneurs

Statement from
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Sapagkat tayong mga Pilipino ay pala-ngiti, at mahilig bumati, at magsabi ng Mabuhay sa
ating mga bisita, gumawa na tayo ng Grassroots Entreprenuers for Eco tourism, o GREET
program.
Marami tayong mga kabataan na gusto maging explorers, guides, trailblazers. Through this
fund, we will realize their dream of coming up with brochures and websites that will generate
interest in undiscovered treasures that dot our beautiful land.
God has gifted us with spectacular nature sites that we dont have to build multistory
buildings to draw in tourists. And there is a big tourism market that sojourns to areas unspoiled by
commercial development.
And Donsol na kakabisita ko ay sample lang. Marami pang mga Donsol, mga Boracay at mga
Siargao, mga El Nido, sa Pilipinas. Sa ganitong magagandang lugar, isang payong lamang, isang
bangka, isang kubo maganda na. Yan ang ating competitive advantage. Other countries may have
infrastructure muscle, but good and rich as they are they cant craft synthetic sunset or artificial
marble sand.
Thus, I am asking Eco Tourism warriors to step forward so that together we can realize your
dream and together we can conquer the world.

Program Description
CONCEPT

GREET is a mass-based special pioneering

project of Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her
genuine
concern
to
extend
livelihood
opportunities to young entrepreneurs. Aimed at
developing and promoting ecotourism sites in the
Philippines, it is under the stewardship of Tourism
Secretary Joseph Ace Duranos Tourism with a
Heart Turismo Para Sa Pilipino campaign.

Program Description
NATURE
Blocks of Php 50,000 to Php 100,000 worth
of grants depending on extent of proposed
viability of project
DURATION

December 2006 December 2007

Submission of Proposals: February to August

30, 2007
Evaluation: ongoing
Awarding: December 2007
FUND SOURCES
DOT TLA

Target Goals
Employment generation
Livelihood creation
Balanced ecology & environmental protection
Promotion and marketing of ecotourism sites
as potential tourist destinations
Tourism development

Primary Objective
To develop the GREET Program as an effective
socio-economic mechanism responsive in
forging balanced ecotourism environment and
preserving cultural heritage thereby resulting to
favorable improvement in community and
national economy.

Secondary Objectives
1.

2.
3.
4.

5.

Encourage small & medium entrepreneurships in key ecotourism sites that explore local ingenuity and creativity using
local materials and employ local talents;
Develop pioneering industries that would spur economic
growth and sustain the maintenance of eco-tourism sites;
Provide seed/start-up capital to aspiring young entrepreneurs;
Create favorable business environment and positive attitude
by educating the community to be responsive entrepreneurs
who will safeguard the management of eco-tourism sites;
Promote the development of products that will satisfy visitors
needs while positioning the Philippines as a globally
competitive ecotourism destination.

Background

What is Ecotourism?
Ecological Tourism or Ecotourism according to
the World Tourism Organization (WTO) can be
defined as: all forms of tourism in which the
tourists main motivation is the observation and
appreciation of nature, that contribute to the
conservation of, and that generate minimal impacts
on the natural environment and cultural heritage.

Ecotourism in the
Philippines
The Philippines
Regarded as one of the top 25 biodiversity hotspots in the world
in view of high percentage of endemic plants and animals
Has the 2nd largest reef in the world, Apo Reef, next to Australias
Great Barrier Reef
The Philippines is the center of the center of marine fish
biodiversity and the home of the most diverse marine ecosystem
in the world, a recent study by American biologists Kent
Carpenter and Victor Springer revealed.
98% of the countrys reef are threatened; 70% of the mangroves
have been lost to fish ponds.
As an example of peak diversity and endemism, there is ample
justification to prioritize the Philippines for conservation.

The National Ecotourism

Steering Committee
(NESC)
Executive Order No. 11 created the National Ecotourism
Steering Committee (NESC) and called for the formulation of
the National Ecotourism Strategy and implementation programs
and activities of the National Ecotourism Development Council
(NEDC).
Implement development strategies based on the following pillars:
Sustainable management of natural & cultural resources
Environmental education and conservation awareness
Empowerment of local communities
Development of products that will position the Philippines as
globally competitive ecotourism destination
The NESC is composed of DOT, DENR, DTI, Dept of Finance,
DepEd, NEDA and representatives of private sector and NGOs.
Current Chairman is DOT Secretart Joseph Durano.

Philippines Ecotourism Tour

Packages
3D/2N WHALESHARK INTERACTION TOUR
Rate: As low as P4,820 or US$ 96 per person
Inclusions:
Aircon transportation for transfers; Breakfast; 2
Days Whaleshark Interaction Tour; 1 Night
Resort accommodation in Donsol (twin-sharing
aircon); 1 Night Inn accommodation in Legazpi
City on Day 2.( twin-sharing aircon); 3 Days Tour
guide Services (DOT Registered)

Philippines Ecotourism
Tour Packages
Eco-Cultural Tour of Lake Sebu
Overnight Tour Rate (Group) : P1,800.00 or US$36/ person
Inclusions:
Food, Local Transportation, Accommodation and Tour Guide
Sights: Lake Sebu, Punta Isla Resort, Tboli Museum, Sta. Cruz
Mission School, School for Indigenous Knowledge and
Traditions (SIKAT), Lonon Falls, Lantaw Marbel

Other countries Ecotourism Tour

Packages

Maldives
MaldivesScuba
ScubaTours
Tours
9D/
9D/8N
8NLiveaboard
Liveaboard

Costa
CostaRica
Rica
8D/7N
8D/7N
$3295
$3295per
perperson
person
Single
SingleSupplement
Supplement$500
$500

1850
1850per
perperson
person++taxes
taxes
MexicoWhaleshark
WhalesharkTour
Tour
Mexico
FullDay:
Day:US$220/person.
US$220/person.
Full

Program
Mechanics

MECHANICS
APPLICATION

SUBMISSION

Fill out application

Submit Application Form and

forms available from the

DOT Regional Offices,
Municipal offices or
download from website (
www.wowpinoy.net/greet
).

Business Proposal to DOT

Regional
Office for Initial Screening
(technical
requirements).

Prepare Business Plan

for proposed project.

DOT Regional Offices to

submit
applications to GREET
Secretariat.
GREET Secretariat to turn
over
applications to Evaluation &

MECHANICS
EVALUATION
Evaluation Team will
screen all applications for
merits according to criteria.
- Final Evaluation will be
done by GREET Evaluation
Committee with approval
by Secretary Joseph
Durano.

AWARDING
Selected business
proposals will be
awarded the amount or
its equivalent in
equipment approved by
GREET Evaluation
Committee.
GREET Grant Awarding
(official ceremonies) with
Pres. GMA as Guest of
Honor.

WHO CAN APPLY

INDIVIDUALS

Filipino, aged 18 yrs old & above

Bonafide residents of eco-tourism sites
At least high school graduate
Must be of good moral character
Preferably a member of community organizations based in
town or region where eco-tourism site is located

ORGANIZATIONS
- Community organizations and business
associations based and operating where eco-tourism site
is located and duly accredited by local government;
- Demonstrated successful of programs for community
and have developed network of key stakeholders and
partners; and
-

Must manifest functionality

HOW TO APPLY

How to Apply
Secure application forms available at Municipal
Offices,
Dept of Tourism Regional Offices or
download from the website (www.wowpinoy.net/greet)
Option to attend GREET orientation program
Submit business proposals to GREET Secretariat
(c/o PCVC Travel Trade Sales) via snail mail or
e-mail to greet@dotpcvc.gov.ph

Deadline of Submission: Extended until August 30, 2007

Application Form

Criteria for Evaluation

Point Rating System*
Originality, uniqueness, creativity

20 pts

Viability of implementation & projections

20 pts

Economic Impact & job creation

20 pts

Promotion of natural & cultural preservation

20 pts

Growth potentials

20 pts
TOTAL

*Selection will be based on highest points garnered.

100 pts

Eligible Activities

Tourism Products
Operation of new services
(tour guiding, interaction guding, ground handling, etc.)
Operation of new activities
(whitewater rafting, hiking, canopy walk, surfing, diving, watersports, etc.)

Tourism Establishments
-

Accommodation Facilities (homestay program, camping, etc)

Food & Beverage Facilities
Souvenir shops selling local produced products
Gears & Equipment Shops

Tourism Related Services

Handicraft Training
- Rescue and Medical services
- Published Materials: Guidebooks, Maps, Websites

Grant Terms & Conditions

Successful Applicants will be required to enter a legal

agreement with DOT which will include:
Milestones, deliverables and performance measures
Project Budget
Project Management
Mode and schedule of grant releases
Accountability Framework
Communication Strategies
Contract default and termination clauses with
associated remedies
Monitoring and reporting

Grant Terms & Conditions

Project will be required to acknowledge the GREET program.
Prominent inclusion of GREET logo on all promotional
materials and store/establishment banners;
GREET Program Committee reserves the right:
- to reproduce, use, publish and distribute any intellectual
property that has arisen out of the project to help promote the
program; and
- to recover funds based on non-performance of contractual
agreement;
Resources and expenditures will be reviewed on regular basis;
Progress Reports by the grantee will be required every 6
months.

Grants Facility
All grant recipients would be given capacity
building, environment stewardship and
sustainable development seminars to aid in
managing their ecotourism business
Releasing of Grants
50% upon approval
Balance to be remitted on schedule
determined by Regional Office

MONITORING
The DOT Regional Offices will monitor the
businesses, evaluate the level of implementation
and identify the gaps in the implementation. A status
report will be submitted to the GREET Executive
Committee bi-annually.

GREET
WORK
PROGRAM

GREET TASK FORCE

C H A IR M A N
S e c . J o s e p h D u ra n o

C O - C H A IR M A N
U s e c . E d u a rd o J a rq u e , J r.

V IC E - C H A IR M E N
U s e c . O s c a r P a la b y a b
E D D a n ie l C o r p u z

S E C R E T A R IA T
S u s a n d e l M u n d o

A D M IN IS T R A T IV E

T E C H N IC A L

C e n t r a l In f o & C o o r d in a t io n

L E G A L
D ir E v e ly n C a jig a l

E V A L U A T IO N & J U D G IN G
D ir . V ic t o r i a J a s m in
D ir . A la n C a n iz a l
D ir . E liz a b e t h N e lle

P u b lic ity

F IN A N C E
D ir G r a c e Y o ro

S C R E E N IN G & M O N IT O R IN G
R e g io n a l D ire c to rs

S p e c ia l E v e n ts

A w a r d in g

S u p p o r t S e r v ic e s

Criteria in Prioritization of Ecotourism

Sites
Rich in natural & cultural attractions
Authentic & unique features
Special interest activities &
educational experience for the
visitors
Accessible
Relatively comfortable facilities e.g.
lodging accommodation, places to
eat, water supply, etc.

Major Eco-tourism Sites

North Luzon
South
Luzon

Major Eco-tourism Sites

Visayas

Mindanao

Effective Communication
Approach
Logo and slogan/tagline logo
Flyers/Brochures/Posters/Banners
Road Show Presentation to 4 key Ecotourism sites
Radio / Media launch
Publicity Releases
Website / web links
Email blasts / online forums & groups

Efficient Marketing &

Promotion Activities
Public relations and publicity
Media invitational program
Special interest tour operators familiarization trips
Special and/or multi-sports events such as surfing
competition, expedition, white water rafting race,
canoeing race, and competitions to reinforce the image.
Special interest tour packages to be developed by tour
operators. Initiate a $1 donation as conservation fee
per tourist to contribute in sustaining the program in
bringing back the benefits to the community.

Roadshow: Schedule
Leyte Samar
Butuan Cagayan de
Oro Davao Lake
Sebu

April 19 20
April 30 May 5

Banaue Tuguegarao
Iloilo / Bacolod
Bohol Dumaguete
South Luzon (Tagaytay)

May 21 25
May 28 30
June 4 7
June 14

PRELIMINARY
GRANT RECIPIENTS
(SOUTH LUZON LAUNCH)

Mr. Lamberto Avisado, Jr.: River

River)

Cruiser & Canteen (Ugong

The River Cruiser and canteen is a floating structure, boat style of a

catamaran with walls and roofs made of nipa and bamboo structures. It
will cater to tourists to the River Cruise and Fireflies watching tours at the
Quipin River and Ogod River.

Donsol Boat Associatio:

Improvement

Butanding Boat Services

Physical improvement of service boats used for providing better service

to Donsol tourists. Will include boat repainting and improvements on
boat ladders, seats, and top flooring as well as provision of life rings and
life jackets.

Mr. Allan Amanse & Ms. Theresa Bernacer:

and Souvenir Shop

Butanding T-Shirt

Souvenir Shop will sell T-shirts designed with environmental messages

highlighting Whaleshark conservation, souvenir items and fashion
accessories with designs or woodcarvings of Whalesharks.

Incentives & Recognition

Outstanding Grant Recipients will be
given incentives and recognition
during the GREET Program
Entrepreneurship Awards or the
DOT Kalakbay Awards.

Grassroots Entrepreneurs for

EcoTourism
Alay ng Pangulo Turismo Para sa Filipino!