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

In 1994, its legal name was changed to Apo Island Protected Landscape and Seascape
(AIPLAS) by Proclamation No. 438 (see Appendix F), 35 as one of the initial components of
the NIPAS Act. The Protected Area Management Board (PAMB) of AIPLAS is composed of
the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), the municipal mayor’s
office, members of the university, the barangay office, and representatives from NGOs and
other groups. After some time, the MMC was abolished, and some of its members were
absorbed by the PAMB.
4.1.4 Resource use conflicts
Up until the late 1970s, dynamite and muro-ami fishing used to be rampant in the area. After
the area was declared protected in the early 1980s, dynamite fishing stopped. Affected reefs
have regenerated since then. Muro-ami continued occasionally but eventually stopped as
well. Although there was initial resistance from the fishing community, continuous
information and education campaign (IEC) efforts by Silliman University and the local
government convinced the fisherfolk to abandon destructive methods of fishing. Hence, in the
beginning, the cost of protection was borne not by the affected community but by outside
groups that initiated protection efforts in the area.
Current threats have more to do with the increasing tourist traffic during the diving season,
which starts in November or December and ends in May or June. In fact, the very first
resolution of the PAMB was to regulate scuba diving by limiting the number of divers at any
point in time and by prescribing entrance fees to visitors (see Appendix G). 36
4.1.5 Revenue generated
To date, Apo Island is the highest income-generating protected area in the country, as far as
revenues from user fees are concerned. Table 4.2 contains the schedule of fees currently
being implemented in the area. Within four months of the user fee being fully implemented
(i.e. December 1999 to March 2000), the PAMB was able to raise half a million pesos
(around $10,000) from the fees alone. 37 This amount is budgeted for programmes planned for
2000, of which 41 per cent are for protection and maintenance, 44 per cent for administration
and management, and 15 per cent for livelihood projects. However, due to the tedious process
of accessing IPAF funds, the PAMB has yet to disburse revenues earned since the year 2000
(see earlier discussion on IPAF, Section 2).
During the same period, incomes likewise benefited from the promotion of the area as a
major scuba-diving destination. Boat income was estimated to be around PhP4 million, or
$80,000, 25 per cent of which went to Apo Island residents themselves. The biggest
beneficiary was the diving industry, which received income as much as PhP5.7 million, or
$114,000 during the same period. Revenues from lodging at the only two resorts on the island
increased to PhP643,000, or roughly $13,000. These resorts are owned by foreigners, but are
being managed and maintained by locals. Finally, sale of souvenir items was given a boost,
with island residents benefiting from selling t-shirts, native mats, and other souvenir items to
tourists. On the whole, it is estimated that 20 per cent of the total increase in income is
enjoyed by the residents themselves. 38
35 Available at http://www.iied.org/eep/.
36 Available at http://www.iied.org/eep/.
37 Cadiz, P.L. and H.P. Calumpong (2001), Analysis of Revenues from Ecotourism in Apo Island, Negros Oriental.
38 Ibid.
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