REGIONAL ECONOMIC SITUATIONER Western ... - NEDA-RDC VI

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Table 6 Tourist Arrivals and Receipts, Region VI Third Quarter 2004, Second and Third Quarters 2005 3rd 2nd 3rd Percent Percent INDICATOR Quarter Quarter Quarter Change Change 2004 2005 2005 Over Q2 '05 Over Q3 '04 Total Tourist Arrivals 173,695 297,752 197,085 -33.8 13.5 Domestic 101,003 249,281 141,519 -43.2 40.1 Foreign 66,871 39,591 48,624 22.8 -27.3 OFW 5,821 8,880 6,942 -21.8 19.3 Receipts (Billion Pesos) 2.4 5.5 3.1 -42.5 29.3 Source: Department of Tourism, Region 6 II. DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK 1. Development Issues The discussion of potential and/or unique industries that may influence regional economic development has been revived in this issue of the QRES. This was made possible partly through the assistance of the GTZ for dovetailing of monitoring and evaluation efforts toward the regional development plan implementation and partly through the NEDA initiatives at the regional and national levels to improve the quarterly assessment of economic performance. Seven (7) commodities/industries are featured this quarter. From personal interviews with key informants and secondary data, a brief background is presented followed by the identification of development issues relative to the industry and the regional economy. A. Abalone The researchers of Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) based in Tigbauan, Iloilo have successfully spawned abalone (Haliotis Asinina) in captivity in 1994. This species is called by Australian scientists as the “fastest growing abalone in the world” and was proved here in the Philippines, in contrast to other countries like Australia, Japan, Mexico and New Zealand where similar species had been cultured. Local market demand for abalone has tremendously increased since 1994. Most buyers are from Negros Occidental and high-end Chinese restaurants in Manila where abalone sells at P2,000 to P2,500 per plate. Like other fish stocks, however, abalone suffers from heavy fishing pressure and SEAFDEC needs to refine its existing breeding and hatchery techniques to produce sufficient seeds for re-stocking and to help restore the natural abalone population in the region. SEAFDEC has very limited resources to directly disseminate the technology to small fisherfolk. Hence, it banks on the cooperation of BFAR and interested private groups and local government units for partnering. Currently, several municipalities in the region have started abalone production with the help of some business groups or non-government organizations. 6
B. Angel Wings Shellfish (Diwal) This delectable and high value shellfish, locally called Diwal due to its tongue-like projection and scientifically known as Pholas orientalis, has a long and dramatic history in the region, especially in Roxas City - the Seafood Capital of Western Visayas, where it abounds. The 1970s are considered the years of abundance of angel wings specifically growing in the inter-tidal zone (Barra) near the mouth of Palina and Panay rivers. Production was year-round at average selling price of 5 centavos per piece. In 1980-1986, harvesting became seasonal, May-August only, at average selling price of 25 centavos per piece. In 1987, angel wings started to disappear at a time when prawn became a sunrise industry. After a 5-year hiatus, a 1-ha angel wings population was found in an area (Punta Cogon) very far from its original growing site. Seasonal harvesting of limited quantity ensued until 1998. A study for policy and management purposes was conducted by UP Visayas with the support of the provincial government, PCAMRD and BFAR in 1996. Transplantation was done to complete the one year intensive research. In 1999, the city and provincial governments imposed the ban for collection of angel wings and Kapis – another valuable shellfish in Roxas City. In 2003, angel wings re-appeared in Barra. Production and collection of angel wings under the city’s Coastal Resource Management (CRM) Program highlighted the lifting of the ban in 2004. In July 2005, Roxas City successfully conducted the first Diwal Harvest Seafood Festival. In 2004, around 15 MT was harvested. In 2005, it reached almost 64 MT and sold at an average of P150/kg. According to Ms. Belinda Garrido, the CRMP Coordinator, God replenished Roxas City waters with abundant growth of diwal, so they are duty and faith bound to protect it. The following causes were cited for the disappearance of angel wings: 1) pollution from chemical discharges of prawn ponds; 2) trawling in traditional growing areas; 3) over-harvesting of undersized angel wings; 4) strong waves and current covered growing areas with sand leading to death of species; 5) diseases and predators; 6) use of cyanide and dynamite in municipal fishing; 7) siltation due to upland erosion and proliferation of structures in riverine areas. The re-appearance of angel wings are attributed to these factors: 1) use of chemicals abated when most fishpond owners went back to traditional bangus culture when the prawn industry got to losing end; and 2) LGU efforts to rehabilitate the resource through transplantation, moratorium on shellfish gathering in 1999-2003, and establishment of shellfish reservation zone with the passing of a new CRM ordinance and guidelines on angel wings management. In order to sustain the increase in annual harvest of angel wings, the city government resolves to: 1) encourage divers to become responsible stewards through continuous advocacy and education campaign; 2) strengthen and widen the multi-sectoral participation in the CRM program; 3) address siltation problem in Barra area through a comprehensive approach involving the upland communities; 4) ensure that enough volume of breeders are left in growing areas after harvest season; and 5) strict implementation of applicable fishery and environmental laws and rules. C. Furniture Production of furniture in the region this year was estimated to be about 25% less than last year. The number of buyers also decreased by about 35% based on bookings and negotiated sales during local furniture shows. This is the general status of the regional furniture industry according to Ms. Marianne Tajanlangit, Executive Director of the Iloilo Furniture Manufacturing Association. 7
Page 1 and 2: I. ECONOMIC PERFORMANCE 1. Prices R
Page 3 and 4: The Department of Labor and Employm
Page 5: C. Fishery Commercial fishing, allo
Page 9 and 10: machine costing around P150 million
Page 11: The gamefowl industry should be all

REGIONAL ECONOMIC SITUATIONER Western ... - NEDA-RDC VI

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