Developing pro-poor markets for environmental services in the ...

Results of the travel cost model, Mt Pulag National Park
Independent variable Estimated coefficient T-ratio
Total expenses per person (CI) ** -3.74E-04 -1.937
Annual household income (SI1) ** -2.91E-07 -1.913
Employment Status (Si2) 0.0413 0.25
No. of years of education (Si3) 0.0356 1.217
Age (Si4) **** 0.0222 2.968
Civil status (Si5) *** -0.2903 -2.256
Gender (Si6) **** 0.4799 3.281
Importance of camping in visiting MPNP (HI) **** 0.6504 2.816
Index of rating of facilities in MPNP (RI) 0.0038 1.115
Level of significance:
**** - significant at 99% confidence level
*** - significant at 95% confidence level
** - significant at 90% confidence level
* - significant at 85% confidence level
Estimated equation: Vi = V (Ci, Si, Hi, Ri) + εi
Recommendations
The study recommends that entrance fees be increased to PhP125, with PhP25 going to the LGU and
PhP100 to the PAMB. MPNP visitors are relatively well-off and have both the ability and willingness to
pay higher entrance fees. Moreover, entrance fees are a small part of their total budget when visiting
MPNP. Thus, increasing entrance fees will not adversely affect decisions to visit the park.
The suggested improvements in park management and services may merit serious consideration by the
PAMB as visitors are willing to pay for these services.
Other relevant results
• Socio-economic and demographic profile
• Most respondents were male, single and young, with average age of 28 years.
• Average gross own income was PhP15,125 per month, while average gross household income
reaches PhP36,315 per month .
• One-fourth were still enrolled in school, most of whom were in college.
• For those who had graduated, most had college degrees mostly in engineering and accounting while
10% had postgraduate degrees.
• For those employed, many were employees, followed by licensed professionals.
• Most respondents (62%) currently reside in Metro Manila, while 12% were from Benguet.
• 88% of respondents belonged to one or more organisations mostly to sports-related groups and
environmental groups.
Travel profile
• 82.2% of respondents first heard about MPNP from their friends and/or relatives.
• Respondents were second-time visitors on the average, who had intentions of going back at least
twice within the next two years.
• Average stay of visitor at the park is three days, with one day for travel time.
• Most came from their residence (79.8%), travelling an average of 376km using bus and hired vehicles
after a one-day layover at Baguio City.
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