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American Journal of   
Environment and Climate (AJEC)

The Conservation Story of  Biri-Larosa Protected Landscape/Seascape: Lessons 
Learned and Future Directions

Rene John Escal1*

Volume 4 Issue 2, Year 2025
ISSN: 2832-403X (Online) 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.54536/ajec.v4i2.4780
https://journals.e-palli.com/home/index.php/ajec

Article Information ABSTRACT

Received: March 17, 2025

Accepted: April 22, 2025

Published: May 21, 2025

Biri-LAROSA Protected Landscape and Seascape (BLPLS), a marine protected area 
in Northern Samar, suffers from biological degradation despite its legal protection for 
biodiversity. This study uses a qualitative descriptive design to analyze the conservation 
measures in BLPLS. It aims to identify lessons learned for an informed future direction of  
conservation strategies. The conservation programs implemented in BLPLS succeeded in 
rehabilitating and enhancing its major ecosystems primarily because of  strong legal bases. 
It gradually educates the people about their social responsibility as stewards of  nature. On 
the other hand, implementation struggles from inability to fully implement it. As a result, 
although illegal activities declined, it is still prevalent. Nevertheless, the implementation 
of  the conservation programs brought ecological, economic, social, and cultural benefits. 
The ecological benefits of  the conservation program are manifest and latent. It has also 
generated economic benefits, namely ecotourism offshoot and conservation programs 
derivatives. In terms of  social benefits, it provided a fountain of  learning, social change, 
diversion, and community attachment. Among the cultural benefits are the preservation of  
customs and historic preservation. The researcher recommended that interagency efforts be 
placed to impose more stringent and harmonized implementation of  conservation policies 
and institutional reform and capacitate implementers and communities. The creation of  
reward systems, context-based environmental education, institutionalization of  program 
impact assessment and evaluation studies, and data-based decision-making for program 
development plans can also help.

Keywords
Biological Degradation, 
Conservation Programs, Ecological 
Integrity, Ecological Services, 
Protected Area

1 University of  Eastern Philippines, Philippines
* Corresponding author’s e-mail: renejohnescal.rje@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION 
Dudley and Stolton (2008) defined protected area as a 
parcel of  land and/or sea proclaimed through an organic 
law for its protection and conservation because of  its 
valuable biological diversity, the richness of  its natural and 
cultural resources. This entails the interlink of  the three 
elements namely protection of  biodiversity, safeguarding 
natural and cultural resources, and assurance of  human 
survival. National Integrated Protected Areas System Act 
of  1992 (RA 7586) provides the main backbone of  the 
establishment of  a national system of  protected areas in 
the Philippines. This was then strengthened through the 
passage of  the Enhanced National Integrated Protected 
Areas Systems Act of  2018 (RA 11038). Unfortunately, 
according to DENR and Ateneo Schools of  Government 
(2014), though protected areas experience a lower rate 
of  habitat loss than those areas not protected, they still 
experience dramatic habitat losses within their borders. 
Threats continue to affect biophysical diverse protected 
areas and Key Biodiversity Areas.
Brokington and Schmidt-Soltau (2004) recognize the 
importance of  conservation programs in safeguarding 
protected area’s benefits, such as the provision of  
ecosystem services, employment opportunities, and the 
preservation of  culture. It is evident that protected areas 
also bring economic machineries (Mika et al., 2016). 
While protected areas harbor various functions, such as 
ecological, economic, and social functions, their cultural 

value has been noted yet largely ignored in practice. 
Infield (2001) suggested that conservation program in 
the context of  local culture provides a counterbalance to 
economic pressure to the protected area. In many cases, 
wildlife, nature, and landscape valuation contribute to the 
commercialization of  conservation and the downplay of  
cultural values. 
According to Benneth and Dearden (2014), the success 
of  any conservation program is always linked to local 
support for conservation which is influenced by their 
perceptions of  the impacts they experienced. Notably, 
people have become participative when they benefit from 
the conservation strategy. In 2012, Karath and Nepal 
concluded that the positive attitude of  people living in the 
protected area on the existence of  protected area is related 
to the benefits it offers like access to fuel wood, fodder, 
tourism, and supply for their livelihood. On the contrary, 
people show a negative attitude towards conservation 
policies and interventions due to policy-induced loss of  
benefits (Liu et al., 2017). Other associated factors include 
a lack of  education and awareness (Nguyen, 2017).
Undeniably, protected areas throughout the globe face 
problematic situations in balancing conservation and 
provision of  human needs. Hocking, Stolton, and Dudley 
(2004) suggested the need to understand the strengths 
and weaknesses in its management. Leverington et al. 
(2010) stipulated that at the global level its strongest 
aspects are the establishment of  protected areas in terms 



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of  legal basis, design, legislation, boundary making, and 
effectiveness of  governance. On the other hand, its 
weakest aspects are community benefit programs; and 
resourcing such as funding reliability, adequacy of  staff  
numbers, and facility and equipment maintenance. 
The success of  a conservation program must encompass 
both biological and social measures and include learning 
and the application of  new knowledge to management. 
Dysfunctional programs can cripple the conservation 
effort which eventually leads to biological catastrophe. 
Understanding how programs and policies can prevent 
species loss and ecosystem degradation rests primarily 
on field initiatives. According to Ferraro and Pattanayak 
(2006), field of  ecosystem protection and biodiversity 
conservation lags which is why there is an increasing need 
for state-of-the-art program evaluation methods of  what 
works and when it works arises.
In Northern Samar, there is only one existing protected 
area in the province known as the Biri-LAROSA Protected 
Landscape and Seascape (BLPLS), established through 
Presidential Proclamation NO. 291, series of  2000 
encompassing the Municipality of  Biri and the coastal 
barangays of  Lavezares, Rosario, and San Jose. Canoy 
and Roa-Quiaoit (2011) mentioned the BLPLS as one 
of  the country’s protected areas that are currently facing 
threats from destructive and human-invasive activities 
such as coral quarrying, illegal logging of  mangroves, 
overharvesting of  fish, dynamite and cyanide fishing, and 
pollution. The protected area only scored 26 percent in the 
Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT), which 
is considered a very low score (Guiang & Baraganza, 2014). 
This prompted the researcher to further investigate the 
impacts, successes, and challenges in the implementation 
of  the conservation practices in BLPLS.
The study aimed to describe impacts, successes, and 
challenges in adherence to the different conservation 
practices of  Biri-LAROSA Protected Landscape and 
Seascape.

MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study employed qualitative descriptive research 
design. Participants of  this study were the people living 
within BLPLS and its stakeholders. Employing  stratified 

purposive sampling based on their specific involvement 
and municipality, five (5) groups were formed; four 
groups of  beneficiaries and one group of  implementers. 
Beneficiaries were barangay officials, people’s organization 
officials, fishers, farmers, civic group representatives, and 
MENRO. Meanwhile, the implementer sample included 
partner NGOs and members of  PAMB Executive 
Committees. Unfortunately, because of  the unavailability 
of  a synchronous interview with these concerned 
officials, the researcher opted to conduct individual 
interviews for the implementers. There were fifty-two 
(52) total participants for this study. They were selected as 
participants because the researcher believed that they were 
the most knowledgeable about the different conservation 
practices. Two (2) FGD guides were used in collecting 
primary data; one for the beneficiaries and the other 
for the implementers. The instruments were subjected 
to face and content validity through rigorous scrutiny 
of  internal and external experts. During the FGDs and 
interviews, the researcher took notes for key phrases 
and major points. Sessions  were recorded in audio and 
video to obtain actual quotations. Afterwards, debriefing 
was conducted. Recordings were also checked, record 
significant details, and note observations to determine 
the quality of  the information. After the FGDs and 
interviews, the researcher transcribed the sessions. The 
generated transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis 
using Braun and Clarke’s (2006) model. All noteworthy 
statements were translated using context translation. The 
researcher upheld the ethical principles in conducting the 
research such as, honesty, objectivity, integrity, carefulness, 
openness, respect for intellectual property, confidentiality, 
non-discriminatory, competence, legality, and human 
subject protection (Shamoo & Resnik, 2015). To address 
positivists’ criticism on the reliability and validity of  the 
result of  the study, trustworthiness (Guba, 1981) were 
established.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Impacts of  Conservation Programs
Figure 1 presents that the conservation programs covers 
ecological, economic, social, and cultural benefits of  the 
protected area. 

Figure 1: Impact of  Conservation Programs to BLPLS



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Ecological Benefits
It emerges that the ecological benefits of  conservation 
practices are manifest (primary) and latent (secondary). 
Manifest benefits are intended benefits, such as, improve 
marine conditions, shelter diverse species, protect PA’s 
major ecosystems, buffer natural disasters, and preserve 
PA’s aesthetic beauty. As one participant said, “Now, 
I could see a lot of  fry unlike before.” Meanwhile, 
latent benefits are unintended benefits brought by its 
implementation like the abundance of  resources as one 
revealed, “If  you are industrious enough, you can earn 
money and have a food to eat too.” 
This finding confirmed Brokington and Schmidt-Soltau’s 
(2004) proposition that one of  advantages of  conservation 
programs is their ability to safeguard ecosystem services 
of  the protected. Consequently, Spiteri (2007) called them 
extract, conservation, and mitigation benefits. Likewise, 
it coincided with Reintar, Jakosalem, and Paguntalan’s 
(2015) findings that natural parks have the credibility of  
sheltering biologically diverse lifeforms.

Economic Benefits
 Conservation programs generated two economic benefits 
namely, ecotourism offshoot and conservation program 
derivatives. Ecotourism offshoots are benefits brought 
by the utilization of  the protected area’s rock formations, 
beaches, mangrove forests, crystal clear oceans, and 
historical sites for recreation. This also includes new 
business opportunities, income from environmental fees, 
new job opportunities, a boost in the tourism industry, 
and spin-offs in TV appearances. As cited by one of  
the participants, “Those who own parking areas are 
earning.” Moreover, conservation program derivatives are 
economic by-products of  other conservation programs 
like livelihood programs, extra income for beneficiaries, 
income from penalties, and improved buying capacity. 
One participant stated, “Fish cage livelihood recipients 
able to buy motorboats and motorcycles.” 
These testimonies supported the assertion of  Brokington 
and Schmidt-Soltau’s (2004) and Mika et al. (2016) that 
conservation practices bring economic opportunities 
like ecotourism, employment, and livelihood 
programs. It is also in consonance with Spiteri’s (2007) 
enumerated economic benefits of  conservation namely 
accommodations, tourist facilities, entry fees, income, 
business, employment, market goods, transportation and 
tourism.

Social Benefits
The implementation of  conservation programs in 
the protected area has four benefits namely, fountain 
of  learning, social change, diversion, and community 
attachment. Fountain of  learning refers to its ability to 
provide knowledge among beneficiaries, implementers, 
and other stakeholders through opportunities for 
new learning experiences, setting for research, and 
a deeper understanding of  nature. One narrated, 
“they are able to attend national and local forums.” 

Meanwhile, conservation programs bring social change 
displayed through women empowerment, social control 
enforcement, prioritized assistance from government 
and NGOs, cooperation, harmonious living with 
nature, and responsible tourism. One participant cited, 
“Women organizations were formed in our island coastal 
barangays.” Another social benefit is diversion referring 
to the utilization of  the protected area for activities 
that divert from tedious and serious concerns in life. 
The protected area becomes the place for recreational 
activities, relaxation, adventure, and celebration. One 
participant averred, “we were there also to celebrate the 
Black Saturday.” Lastly, conservation programs enforce 
the community attachment of  the people to the protected 
area, which refers to the development of  their cognitive 
and affective ties among themselves as a community and 
to the place they live in. People living in the protected area 
develop in themselves a sense of  place. This is evident 
in the statement of  one of  the participants, “a lot of  his 
movie settings were shot in Biri” with an uplifting tone 
of  voice signifying joy and pride. This finding proved 
that conservation programs benefit social development in 
terms of  social control, education, fun, and fame (Spiteri, 
2007).

Cultural Benefits
There are three cultural benefits of  the conservation 
programs in protected areas namely preservation of  
customs and tradition, art vitalization, and historic 
preservation. Preservation of  customs and tradition 
refers to the role of  sustaining the customs and tradition 
of  the community evident in the preservation of  old 
ways of  life in the coastal communities, celebration of  
annual festivals, perpetuity of  the belief  in local myths, 
and practice of  local dishes. One participant shared that 
“Kinis Festival is celebrated every October.” Furthermore, 
the constant effort of  preserving the BLPLS sparks 
creativity and inspires the community and artists resulting 
in art vitalization. One revealed that “every December, 
we have Christmas Tree Contest by purok.” On the other 
hand, part of  the cultural benefit is historic preservation 
which is the preservation, conservation, and protection 
of  landscapes, objects and other artifacts of  historical 
significance. One participant said, “The mayor ordered its 
rehabilitation and beautification through the construction 
of  a bridge to make it camera-worthy,” referring to World 
War II bomb site. 
This has proven Saviano et al. (2018) proposition that 
protected areas have a cultural value. This was also 
supported by Infield (2001) and Major et al. (2018), and 
Perrault et al. (2007) as they contended that culture-
based and culture-sensitive conservation strategies are 
important to counterbalance ecological, economic, and 
social pressure for the continuity of  aged practices and 
beliefs of  the community.

Successes and Challenges of  the Conservation Practices
Six (6) conservation practices emanates from the 



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responses of  the participants namely solid waste 
management, mangrove forest resources management, 
seagrass beds protection and conservation, coral reefs 
protection and conservation, sustainable methods of  
fishing, and ecotourism.

Solid Waste Management
Figure 2 shows the practices, success, and challenges 
in the implementation of  Solid Waste Management. 
Conservation practices related to solid waste management 
is successful primarily because of  the existing legal 
instrument as LGUs localized the mandate of  RA 9003. It 
commenced the immense movements of  institutionalized 
cleanup drives of  government agencies and NGOs, 
utilization of  varied information drives, establishment of  

systematic waste collection, waste reduction initiatives, 
and establishment of  a reward system. A participant 
described, “our collection outside the Población involve 
MRF. We will collect only the non-biodegradable. We 
don’t collect non-biodegradables from one household to 
another because it is prohibited. As for the biodegradable, 
it is the barangay that takes charge of  the composting. 
That is how we do it.” One participant commented, “our 
barangay, through our barangay captain, implemented 
the segregation of  plastics. These plastics will be cut out 
and if  the accumulated cutouts reach 1 kilogram, you will 
receive 1 kilogram of  rice in return.” Another participant 
mentioned, “In our barangay, aside from bandillo, we 
also visit every household to distribute flyers letting them 
know the prohibitions.”

Figure 2: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Solid Waste Management

On the other hand, its implementation faces challenges 
related to sanitary landfills, waste collection, MRF, people, 
implementers, and ecotourism. The establishment of  a 
sanitary landfill is the biggest concern because most of  
the municipalities in the PA use open dumpsites and have 
no machinery to process collected garbage. In addition, 
the collection of  waste is irregular and sometimes not 
followed, segregation of  waste is not practiced in some 
households, and some areas in the municipality/ barangay 
are not served. As one of  the participants described, “it 
often happens twice a month. But sometimes it is not 
observed.” Another problematic situation is that some 
of  the barangays do not have functional MRF, while 
others have problems with the proper location to put 
the MRF, and others do not have MRF. Participants also 
mentioned negative attitudes as one of  the problems 
that resulted in their unvigilant who are not following 
the policy. It can also be associated with the implementer 
as they do not have a strong political will to implement 
it, the punishment is too light, and personal biases like 
“pakikisama” and intrusion of  politics. One revealed, 
“it’s already announced by the barangay chairman to 
its constituents that if  ever they witness someone who 
violates, take a picture of  them, so they will be disciplined. 
But no one has been apprehended since then.” Another 
problem are the accumulated waste in tourism facilities 
as one recalled, “near Marson’s Resort is a fishpond. The 
owner filed a complaint in the office because, during high 
tide or heavy rains, water would carry the resort’s pile of  
trash inside their property. Thus, they want people to be 

more responsible for their own waste.”
These findings confirmed the conclusion of  Mado (2001) 
that despite people’s awareness of  solid waste management 
policies, still people violate these legislations. The study also 
affirms the importance of  political support in addressing 
the solid waste problem where collective action greatly 
matters (Adongay, 1996). In a similar study conducted by 
Moussa et al. (2023), Kollo municipality was not able to 
accomplish its goals in solid waste management because of  
a lack of  financial and technical resources.

Mangrove Forest Resources Management
Among the mangrove protection and conservation 
measures are the establishment of  mangrove plantations, 
rehabilitation of  abandoned fishponds, reforestation, 
mangrove forest maintenance, zoning, monitoring of  
illegal activities, and intensified information dissemination. 
This eventually paved the way in reducing the incidents 
of  illegal cutting of  mangroves as one claimed, “unlike 
before, many are displayed for sale along the highway.” 
Because of  these efforts, gradually more and more 
migratory birds can be seen now as disclosed. In general, 
the presence of  enabling laws also helps a lot in achieving 
this. The effort of  network of  people working together 
to actualize its protection and conservation measures 
through a partnership is very remarkable. According 
to one of  the participants, “we also extend hand to 
the barangay. SADAKIS, a people’s organization I’m 
connected with, coordinated with the DENR, barangays, 
and other people’s organization for the implementation 



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of  those laws and ordinances.”
Meanwhile, one of  the reoccurring problems in the 
mangrove forest resources management is the persistence 
of  threats to mangrove resources such as mangrove 
logging, charcoal production, “barok” processing, 
practice of  “sarap,” crablets gathering, encroachment, and 
typoon. One disclosed, “what destroyed the mangroves is 
the making of  barok for coconut wine” while the other 
revealed, “after planting, the propagules were tramped 
down by crablet gatherers.” In addition, mangrove 
plantations were established without rigorous validation 
of  the planting site considering certain species only 
strive for certain coastal environments. One participant 
cited, “they take grown mangroves from the wild for 
the sake of  validation. Plant it, take a picture, and then 
receive remuneration. These planted mangroves then die 
later.” Nonetheless, other problems include non-unified 
funding, human egoism, privatizing mangrove areas, and 
the occurrence of  destructive typhoons. Another problem 
is the communities’ habit of  abusing nature characterized 
by repetitive violation to the point of  exploiting minors 
as crime scapegoats. Despite the presence of  a legal basis 
for its protection like penalizing destructive activities, 
effective enforcement still cannot be enforced and there 
is the struggle to provide a more engaging information 
drive and frequent night monitoring of  violators. As 
disclosed by one participant, “there are still few who are 
involved in cutting mangroves. It is unnoticeable because 
they use handsaw and do it at night.”

Chamberland-Fontaine et al. (2022) generate the same 
result that effective mangrove conservation practices are 
raising awareness-raising activities about socio-ecological 
benefits and build a partnership with stakeholders. 
Whereas, constantly enforcing the conservation practices 
remain a challenge. Damastuti and de Groot (2017) 
associate this the level of  acceptance on protective 
legislation.

Seagrass Beds Protection and Conservation 
Among the measures made to secure seagrass beds are 
the prohibition of  uprooting seagrasses, encroachment, 
destructive fishing activities, strict compliance with 
management zoning, and reforestation. In line with this 
effort, the program was able to provide a supplemental 
livelihood to ensure an alternative source of  subsistence. 
One participant revealed, “we only permit the fish pens 
because they are part of  our mariculture projects.” 
Collaboration of  different stakeholders through a 
memorandum of  agreement with the community, and 
tie-up with academe is very helpful in making informed 
decisions in managing seagrass as the major ecosystem. 
As the participant revealed, “we signed a memorandum 
of  agreement with the stakeholders of  the protected 
area for them not to expand their settlement towards the 
seagrass areas.” 
However, the implementation caused deprivation; denying 
people access to areas where seagrasses are growing. Its 
implementation, brought inconvenience in docking, 

Figure 3: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Mangrove Forest Resources Management

Figure 4: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Seagrass Beds Protection and Conservation



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thereby somehow withdrawn people from their source 
of  livelihood, and causing their displacement. As one 
revealed, “if  we will be very strict with that especially with 
motorboat operators, how could they dock because they 
really have to cross through the seagrass?” Despite all the 
effort, it continuously experience degradation because of  
inevitable stamping, removal of  coral rocks, disposal of  
waste to waterways, practice of  “sarap,” and unfriendly 
coastal development. This boils down to unaddressed 
predicaments like lack of  awareness on the importance 
of  seagrasses, insufficient employment opportunities, 
inefficient supplemental livelihood, absence of  legal 
basis, overlapping authority of  agencies, and authorities’ 
negligence of  duty.
Ramesh et al. (2018) found similar threats to seagrass 
beds such as unsustainable fisheries, water quality, and 
coastal construction. They emphasize that people’s 
participation is important. The same findings were made 
by Xu et al. (2021) that clam harvesting, land reclamation, 
and coastal aquaculture are some threats to seagrasses. 
Lukman et al. (2021) also acknowledge the significance 
of  raising awareness of  its socio-ecological significance 
and the support of  the community in its conservation. To 
address these problems, Yu and Dong (2022) suggested 
that there should be local legislation to sustainably 
management the seagrass beds ecosystem. Furthermore, 
Mascarinas and Otadoy (2022) highlighted the necessity 

of  implementing a rehabilitation program to improve the 
seagrass community structure.

Coral Reefs Protection and Conservation
Conservation strategies that safeguard and rehabilitate 
the coral reefs include artificial corals, coral transplants, 
coral nurseries, coral monitoring, limited permits to only 
extraction for research, and intensified information drive. 
One recalled, “back then, UP Diliman had coral transplant 
in our sanctuary.” Conversely, the advantageous effects 
of  its implementation are healthier corals, and a decrease 
in illegal fishing activities. As averred by one participant, 
“we did not totally eradicate illegal activities, but at least 
it had declined.” Relative to this, one revealed, “right 
now, I’m not involved in it anymore because I learned 
a lot from trainings and seminars I attended.” On the 
contrary, prevailing threats to corals include destructive 
fishing and infestation of  crown of  thorns. Other 
problems encountered are the absence of  evaluation of  
coral rehabilitation, abuse of  political power, selective 
implementation of  policy, overlapping authority of  
agencies, and lack of  integration of  climate change 
resiliency. As revealed by the participants, “in Maravilla, 
the wharf  is built from coral rocks. Biri was complaining 
because in Lavezares it was not apprehended for the said 
violation citing if  it happens in Biri, for sure they will be 
reported right away.” 

Figure 5: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Coral Reef  Protection and Conservation

Boakes et al. (2022) recognizes also that climate change, 
destructive fishing practices, plastic pollution, outbreaks 
coral coral-eating invertebrates, nutrient enrichment, 
coral disease, and unsustainable tourism are some of  the 
threats to marine ecosystems. To address these problems,  
Bali has implemented climate change mitigation, coral 
reef  conservation initiatives, creating more protected area 
networks, utilization of  artificial reefs, decentralized policy 
and partnership with NGOs, community engagement, 
and ecotourism are recommended.

E. Sustainable Methods of  Fishing
Fishery resources strategies practiced by stakeholders 
are the establishment of  fish sanctuaries, prohibition of  

commercial fishing in the municipal waters, practice of  
seasonal fishing, conduct of  sea patrol, prohibition of  
endangered species possession and harvest, and fish catch 
monitoring. Parallel to this, one participant disclosed, 
“we have an ordinance declaring close and open season 
in Lalaguna. It is closed for fishing from March 1 to 
May 31.” Favorable outcomes are positive impacts of  
the program manifested in the improvement of  fish 
resources and marine habitats. One attested, “on the days 
where illegal fishing is still rampant in our barangay, you 
could hardly see one needlefish. But now, fish resources 
have already recovered. Sweetlips emperor re-appeared 
and fishermen have now fish to be caught. Unlike before, 
you could always hear explosions from near the coast.” 



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Figure 6: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Sustainable Methods of  Fishing

However, the implementation of  sustainable methods 
of  fishing still faces challenges. One is the prevalent 
destructive methods of  fishing such as compressor 
fishing, dynamite fishing, cyanide fishing, “sudsud,” 
“tangab,” and “sarap.” As one participant disclosed, “In 
Magsaysay, many died because of  compressor fishing. 
If  someone has just died, they would take a rest in the 
meantime. Soon, they would go back because it’s their 
means of  living.” In addition, problems related to fishery 
law persist, such as intruder’s illegal fishing activities, non-
unified implementation of  the Bantay Dagat initiative, 
lack of  funding, overfishing, lack of  staff, unattractive 
livelihood, destabilization of  fish sanctuary, and lack of  
apprehension. As one participant averred, “The sanctuary 
in Ligaya was destabilized.” while another participant 
revealed, “I give them chickens to keep, but they don’t 
like it. I asked myself, ‘What do they want?” Noticeably, 
illegal fishers becoming untouchable is characterized by a 
strong desire to survive, no fear of  authority, investment 
to illegal activities, and use of  improvised weapons. 
One participant disclosed, “In my barangay, I tried to 
apprehend it. Unfortunately, I did not succeed for these 
violators have brought with them homemade weapons.” 
People’s lack of  understanding is possibly attributed to 
their inadequate knowledge about sustainable fishing, 
evident by their cluelessness with endangered species, 
misunderstanding of  the provision in crablet gathering, 
and outdated knowledge on imposed penalties due 
to the recent amendments made to the Fishery Code 
of  the Philippines. It is noticeable in the statement of  
one of  the participants, “Is picking shells prohibited or 
not? I think not because shellfish are seafood.” There 
are also plausible problems due to the shortcomings of  
the implementers such as negligence of  duty, frequent 
consideration, prevalent nepotism, and inadequate 
capacity in apprehending. One revealed, “I feel sorry 
every time I catch someone because of  the penalty. One 
time the judge told me ‘Don’t you feel pity for them? 
They have a family to feed.’ But what could we do, they 
are caught on the act?” 
Establishing a protected area is important in protecting 
fishery resources  Steinkoenig (2018) but it does not 

mean the complete eradication of  destructive activities. 
The result of  this study is similar to Liao et al. (2019) 
where illegal fishing, and overfishing, are held primary 
threats to fishery resources. According to Shalli (2017) 
the persistence of  illegal fishing activities is related 
to the culture of  the community. Hence, it is a must 
to study their traditional knowledge and input it into 
the programs/ projects.  The fishery law enforcement 
program has a minimal impact (Milca, 2002; Pabunan, 
2006) because it was not fully implemented. Pabunan 
(2006) attributed this to no proper dissemination of  the 
objective of  the program, no proper monitoring, a lack 
of  properly trained staff, the intervention of  politics, and 
a lack of  financial support.

F. Ecotourism
Imposition of  fines when committing prohibited acts 
is part of  the protection and conservation measures in 
using the resources of  the protected area for ecotourism. 
This encompasses prohibition of  activities, such as 
seashell collection, littering, grilling in the rock formation, 
use of  single-use plastics, bringing of  foods in the rock 
formations, sand quarrying, and camp firing. In addition, 
there is an existing management zone to be utilized as a 
reference for future development in the PA. As ecotourism 
kicked off,  this provided people a place where they could 
relax have adventure, and enjoy advantage because of  
business opportunities. As cited by one participant, “Those 
who own parking areas are earning.”
Meanwhile, one of  the challenges encountered is the 
presence of  pejorative activities such as unregulated 
rock fragment collection, lack of  monitoring in the 
rock formation, no existing anti-vandalism regulation, 
illegal operation of  beach owners, no computed carrying 
capacity, and no legal instrument regulating recreational 
activities. This was affirmed when a participant admitted, 
“we have a small violation because we let them sneak at 
least small rocks”  while the other revealed, “As of  now, 
they still don’t have to limit the number of  environment 
users.” Additionally, problematic ecotourism services 
that hamper the boom of  the ecotourism industry 
include a lack of  tourist assistance, lack of  English-



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speaking skills tour guides, lack of  systematic tourist 
arrival record keeping, and poor security. One of  the 
participants revealed, “the motor operator could not 
respond whenever there is a tourist who speaks English.” 
There are a lot of  ecotourism sites left unutilized evident 
in underdeveloped falls, rock formations, caves, beaches, 
and historical sites. As mentioned by one participant, 
“no one invested in the development of  Busay.” The 
implementation has disadvantages and this was termed 

as ecotourism drawbacks. Accordingly, there are already 
negative consequences to the environment. Another 
concern was that the revenue accumulated from payments 
of  environmental fees were misused as revealed by 
the participant, “One of  the intervening factors is the 
irregular monitoring from the LGU. They should help in 
the maintenance because they are the ones who receive 
the environmental fee.”

Figure 7: Practices, Success, and Challenges in the Implementation of  Ecotourism

The study affirmed Mika et al. (2016) statement that an 
efficient ecotourism program brings economic advantage 
and development. It provided community people with 
business opportunities and a place for diversion. These 
economic opportunities include ecotourism services, 
recreational activities, and the construction of  ecotourism 
infrastructure like eco-lodge, trails, campsites, visitor 
centers, toilet facilities, and watch towers. Meanwhile, 
its effect to the environment is negative. With this 
scenario, it confirmed the claim of  Pambuena (2002) 
that ecotourism services are prematurely put into action. 
Other ecotourism service providers are very irresponsible 
in taking good care of  their wastes which later end up in 
the ocean. Another problem was the revenue generated 
from ecotourism which was not utilized for maintenance 
and management of  the site. This contended Catibog-
Sinha and Plantilla’s idea that the program helps generate 
revenue from an environmental fee system to accumulate 
funds that can readily provide maintenance for the area.

CONCLUSIONS
Based on the study’s findings, the researchers concluded 
that BLPLS conservation practices brought ecological, 
economic, social, and cultural benefits. Among these 
conservation practices are solid waste management, 
seagrass bed protection and conservation, coral reef  
protection and conservation, sustainable methods 
of  fishing, and ecotourism.  In general, conservation 
practices have a strong legal basis, productive partnership, 
prioritization, proper execution of  conservation laws, 
applied program phasing, and research-based decisions. 
On the other hand, other programs failed in the 
implementation due to a lack of  commitment, lack of  
political will, lot of  inconsistencies, negligence of  duty, 

absence of  constant monitoring, political intrusion, 
aggravation of  poverty, lack of  coordination, deviations to 
the standard implementation procedure, loss of  people’s 
trust and confidence to implementers, and people’s 
insufficient knowledge on wildlife conservation. The 
programs were well planned and studied, but the problem 
lies more in the implementation and management by 
concerned implementers and stakeholders. 
It is recommended that since the municipalities of  Biri, 
Lavezares, Rosario, and San Jose may have shared coastal 
and marine resources, they may develop an integrated 
management plan that shall be implemented as a whole, 
not by jurisdiction. Similarly, PAMB and the DENR 
may also restructure their units to make them more 
effective and efficient by creating new units/teams and 
imposing different conservation and environmental laws. 
Ecosystem-based, research-based, culture-based, and 
data-driven strategies and approaches will be adopted. 
Some policy redirections may be advanced as result of  
the study.

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