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

• collecting the crown-of-thorns fish.
There were no negative effects with respect to population increases, and introduction of new
imports to the island. As to the effects on the fisherfolk, half of them seemed to think there
was an increase in fish catch, although two of the fishermen interviewed thought otherwise.
They largely attributed this to the presence of too many divers, which scared the fish away
from the fishing grounds. Nevertheless, they acknowledged that there was an increase in fish
yield due to protection efforts. The presence of the PA likewise had positive effects in
introducing conservation practices among the local residents in the area. There seemed to be
a very high level of environmental awareness, which is to be expected given the long history
of the island in protection and conservation efforts.
Despite all this positive impact of the PA on the lives of the local residents, there is still a low
level of overall satisfaction with its management. Crucial to this is the fact that the PA was
already being managed locally, and their efforts paved the way towards improvement of the
area and its resources. When management was community-based, there was a sense of
ownership of the PA. Income and revenue were lower, but most respondents preferred that
arrangement to the current one. When Apo Island was subsumed under the NIPAS system,
the original management body was dissolved, and the PAMB created in its place. The local
residents and local government then lost control over the management of their protected area.
In a way, it can be said that the institutional development on Apo Island regressed. The ideal
situation is for the residents themselves to take responsibility over ensuring protection and
conservation of their natural resources. National government should step in only if there is a
perceived lack of capability at the local level. But if there exists a credible and viable
institutional mechanism at the local level, the most that national government should do is to
assist, ensuring that the assistance is within the established management framework of the
community. Despite the sincerity and successes of the PAMB, respondents did not seem to
approve of the way they were handling the PA.
4.1.7 Conclusion
The case of Apo Island is unique in the sense that its institutional development for
environmental management is not characteristic of how other protected areas have evolved in
the country. Successful market development for environmental services, increased protection
of natural resources, high levels of environmental awareness, and increased incomes for the
people – all suggest that environmental protection can be compatible with economic
development, and the former can be successful if community development is addressed as
well. This case study has demonstrated this, albeit the rudimentary methods employed in data
gathering.
Unfortunately, the story does not end there. ‘Ownership’ of decisions on management is as
important as economic implications. In areas where there have been local efforts in
environmental protection, such efforts should be respected. Interventions by national
government, despite increasing efficiency, will not be welfare maximising if social costs are
increased in the process. Two recommendations, therefore, are for the PAMB to increase its
efforts in being more transparent in its operations, and for its officials to work towards greater
acceptance by the community. The latter can be achieved by increasing local residents’
participation in the decision-making process and conducting their information and education
campaigns on a more inclusive scale.
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