Impacts of coastal tourism in Maribago, Lapu-lapu City [Philippines]

Providing protection to corals in their beach fronts (generally accepted as within their jurisdiction) from further destruction is one of the major impacts of the presence of resorts. Their operations discourage illegal fishing, thus providing the chance for corals to rejuvenate. To thrive and grow, the industry is dependent on a clean and healthy marine environment. Scuba diving, a major water recreational activity, did not seem to cause significant physical damage to corals, which could be partly explained by strategies like the provision of mooring buoys by resorts, and right perception/attitude and high level of knowledge of the users (tourist, resort operators and employees) towards conserving marine resources. DO and BOD levels in the two sampling stations obtained before and after the peak tourist seasons were within the standards for the Class SA Water Classification for Tourism Zones and Marine Parks. The total coliform (TC) count which, before the peak season was almost two times higher, then shoot up to over 18 times than the standard of 70 MPN/100 ml immediately after the peak season. This finding is significant considering that tourism is identified as a "smokeless" industry. In general, the community perceived tourism as economically beneficial but its presence could encourage some social ills such as prostitution and transmission of STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]. Financially, it seems that only the resort operators and employees and "sari-sari" store owners profited from the industry. Displacement of local tourists from the beach areas which they used to frequent before, is a major negative social impact which confronts the present management as well as the future development of the industry. Although specified in the Local Government Code that the city government is responsible, the management of the industry appears to be inadequate even with the support of the DOT [Department of Tourism], DENR [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] and academe. The laxity in management provided an opportunity for the resorts to construct illegal structures on their foreshore and off-shore areas