Hundred Islands National Park

This research was undertaken to assess the degree of implementation of Ecotourism Development Plans at Hundred Islands National Park, Alaminos City. The descriptive method using normative survey was the research design used. The questionnaire specifically designed by the researchers for this particular study was the basic medium used to elicit the needed information from the subjects. Thirty-resort and hotel managers and employees from, selected by random sampling were the respondents of the study. All the data gathered from the respondents were statistically treated by using frequency counts, percentage and average weighted mean. The chi – square fest was used to test the research hypothesis.

One hundred percent of the hospitality establishments surveyed are independently owned with 50% (1 resort) of the resorts classified as Triple A and another 50% (1) classified as single A. Fifty percent (2) of the hotels are classified as 1 Star. Four (66.7%) of the 6 establishments surveyed have rooms ranging from 10 – 20. Four establishments (66.7%)have employees below 10. Most of these hospitality establishments are small with limited room and limited number of employees.

The most essential ecotourism development plans being implemented by the city government of Alaminos and the Philippine Tourism Authority all the improvement of water and air quality with 30 responses (25.42%), safe management of waste and toxic materials with 20 responses (16.95%) and reforestation with 19 responses (16.11%). All these programs are for the abatement of the most serious problems at Hundred Islands, air and water pollution especially with increase tourist influx.

The different ecotourism development plans in forms of the following are moderately implemented: Improvement of water and air quality (OWA = 2.87); Safe management of waste and toxic materials (OWA = 3.16); Noise abatement programs (OWA = 3.16); Community involvement in these efforts (OWA = 3.1); recycling programs (OWA = 2.76); Energy and environment conservation (OWA = 3.13). The ecotourism development plans are not dependent on the classification of the hotels and resorts.

The researchers concluded that the resort essential ecotourism plan is improving water and air quality. All programs for ecotourism development are carried out within reasonable limits. It was recommended that the Department of Tourism and the City Government of Alaminos should intensity their ecotourism development campaign so as to maximize the implementation of their programs. It was recommended further that the community must cooperate with the government to conserve the natural resources and the environment.