mt. makiling: top 10 reasons to develop ecotourism business in mount makiling

Mount Mount MakilingMakilingMount Mount MakilingMakilingTOP 10 REASONS TO DEVELOP ECOTOURISM TOP 10 REASONS TO DEVELOP ECOTOURISM

BUSINESS IN MOUNT MAKILINGBUSINESS IN MOUNT MAKILING

Presented byPresented by

ROBERTO P. CERENOROBERTO P. CERENODeputy DirectorDeputy DirectorMakiling Center for Mountain EcosystemsMakiling Center for Mountain EcosystemsUniversity of the Philippines Los BaUniversity of the Philippines Los Baññosos

Responsible travel to natural areas that encourages environmental education, appreciation & conservation.

BTW, What is ecotourism?

Vacations where the traveler would experience nature, adventure or culture in the countryside.

BTW, What is ecotourism?

Visitor enjoyment

Environmental education

Heritage conservation

Economic benefits

QUALITY OF THE MAIN QUALITY OF THE MAIN ATTRACTION ATTRACTION

• A priority Biodiversity Conservation Area

•Home to more than2,000 species offlowering plants,

291 species of ferns, 211 species of mosses,

45 species of mammals,181 species of birds,

65 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians,

& thousand insects, & other arthropods.

• Mount Makiling is an Important Bird Area

Photos by Dr Edwino S. Fernando, MCME

CENTERS OF CENTERS OF PLANT DIVERSITYPLANT DIVERSITY

Areas rich in plant species, Areas rich in plant species, large number of endemic species, large number of endemic species,

diverse range of habitats.diverse range of habitats.Source: DENR-UNEP 1997

• Mount Makiling is one of the Philippines’18 centers of plant diversity

Mount Makiling is one of the32 Key Ecotourism Sitesin the Philippines

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Per EO 111 National Ecotourism Strategy

Mount Makiling is a water tower

78 streams, creeks, springs; underground for deep wells;

More than 42 hotsprings; 8 water intakes;

providing the water requirements of more than 1 million people & industries

Mount Makiling is CALBARZON’s

carbon sink

absorbing carbon dioxide and other

pollutants from surrounding urban

and industrial enclaves

Mount Makiling hotsprings sources

Source: S. Lopez 2007

Mount Makiling DIVERSITY OF ECOTOURISM DIVERSITY OF ECOTOURISM ACTIVITIESACTIVITIES

Trekking or backpacking

Camping or tenting

Mountain biking

Birding

Photo safari

Nature education

Annual events

Mountain adventure race

Lenten Season Visitor ManagementLenten Season Visitor Management

Mount Makiling

Mt MakilingPhoto courtesy of R.S. Punongbayan, PHIVOCS

• located 14°08´N, 121° 11´E• 65 km southeast of Metro Manila • highest peak at 1090 m asl

ACCESSIBILITY TO THE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE MAJOR TOURIST GATEWAYMAJOR TOURIST GATEWAY

Proclamation 106 (1910) established the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve, to support the first Forestry School in the Philippines.

Republic Act 3523 (1963) ceded, transferred and conveyed the Mount Makiling Forest Reserve to University of the Philippines for use as a training laboratory; mandated the College of Forestry to conduct a nationwide program on forest conservation education, information, and outdoor recreation; established the Makiling Botanic Gardens

AVAILABILITY OF AREA AVAILABILITY OF AREA AND LEGAL MANDATE AND LEGAL MANDATE

Republic Act 6967 (1989) vested exclusive jurisdiction, administration and complete control of Mount Makiling Forest Reserve to U.P. Los Baños,to be used as training laboratory for advancement of scientific and technical knowledge on natural resources conservation and watershed protection.

Mount Makiling Conservation and DevelopmentMaster Plan, EO 349 (June 1996)Principal Management ObjectivesPrincipal Management Objectives

Education & Scientific Research

Watershed Protection

Ecotourism & outdoor recreation

Biodiversity conservation

Geothermal power generation

Chapter 11 - Ecotourism Program

Goals:Promote appreciation & increase knowledge, awareness & understanding about forests, plants & animals & their diversity, importance & conservation.Provide quality outdoor recreation opportunities & tourism facilities& services to the visiting public.

Mount Makiling Conservation and DevelopmentMaster Plan, EO 349 (June 1996)

Funds from: • UPLB MCME’s Internal Operating

Budget/ Revolving Fund (income from entrance fees);

• Donations and sponsorships

Strategies

Develop & maintain areas/ facilities: (Makiling Botanic Gardens, Makiling Rainforest Park, Mariang Makiling Trail, Tayabak & Malabóocampsites, 3 Peaks, Flatrocks & Molawin Creek)

Organize ecotourism-related projects & activities

Laguna de Bay

PROXIMITY TO LARGE PROXIMITY TO LARGE ECONOMIC BASEECONOMIC BASE

NLAGUNA de BAY

LOS BAÑOS

CALAMBA

BAY

CALAUAN

STO. TOMAS

SAN PABLO

ALAMINOS

121 ° 11” E

CALAMBA LOS BAÑOS

STO. TOMAS

BAY

Laguna Province

Batangas Province

Available and good quality accommodation, support services and infrastructure

SECURITY OF THE SECURITY OF THE LOCATIONLOCATION

Assured tourist safety & security

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SOCIAL AND POLITICAL SUPPORTSUPPORT

Buffer Zone1,652 ha

Administrative Division:

2 Provinces 1 City

3 Municipalities21 Barangays

Forest Reserve4,244 ha

MARKET DEMANDMARKET DEMAND

M. Manila - 45%S. Tagalog - 21%Other regions - 34%

High school - 42%Elementary - 24%College - 17%Others - 17%

Current Visitor Pattern: Makiling Botanic Gardens

Current appeal to domestic & international market

PROJECTED COMMUNITY PROJECTED COMMUNITY BENEFITSBENEFITS

Adjacent tourist destinations & productsWithin Los Baños

Magnetic Hill

Tadlac LakeIRRI

Hotspringsresorts

Buko pie

Adjacent tourist destinations & productsWithin Laguna

Villa Escudero

Pangil river

Majayjay falls

San Pablo lakes

Pakil /Turumba

And more…

OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER OPPORTUNITY TO FURTHER UPLBUPLB’’S MISSIONS MISSION

Ecotourism can support instruction, research & extension programs

Marketing & promotions11th Taipei International Birdwatching Festival Guandu Nature Park, 6-9 November 2009

Distributed Mount Makiling flyers at Philippine booth

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

Nature Education & Ecotourism Center @ MBG

A donation of

Under construction (Nov 2009- March 2010):

LOCATION MAPNOT T O SCALE

I NTERNATIONAL CONVENTI ON CENTER

VI SITOR RECEPTION CENTER

PA

RK

ING

AR

EA

B IRDS AND BUTTERFLIES G ARDENS

the SITE

MAKILING BOTANIC GARDENS

( P R O P O S E D M A R I A M A K I L I N G

ECOTOURISM VILLAGE)

POOK NIMARIA MAKILING

PAR

KING

AR E

ABSP SWIMMING POOL

MT. MAKILINGFOREST RESERVE

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

MARIANG MAKILING ECOTOURISM VILLAGE

MARIANG MAKILING ECOTOURISM VILLAGE

Redevelopment of Makiling Botanic Gardens & Makiling Rainforest Park

Proposed Components:

Ecolodge / Pook Ni Mariang Makiling

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

Visitor Center, Car Park & Access Road

MARIANG MAKILING ECOTOURISM VILLAGE

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

Los Baños Bird Park

Forest Canopy Ride & Tree Top Adventure

Convention Center

Wellness Center

Major Projects & Activities for Major Projects & Activities for Ecotourism Development Ecotourism Development

MARIANG MAKILING ECOTOURISM VILLAGE

Options for development /investment:

1. Long term lease /contract by developer

2. Joint venture with UPLB

3. Build, operate, maintain

Conceptual plans technical proposal financial proposal

Finally, we will keep only that we love,

we will love only what we understand,

and we will understand just the things that are taught to us.

Baba Dioum

Thank youfor your attention.

For more information, e-mail: rpcereno@uplb.edu.ph