Economic analysis of coral reef conservation options in Calatagan, Batangas, Philippines

Verde passage has been declared as the 'Center of the Center of Marine Shorefish Biodiversity' by Conservation International. One of the municipalities of Batangas close to Verde Passage is Calatagan. It is a third-class municipality with one of the longest coastlines in the province of Batangas, measuring to about 48 km. To be able to assess the area, rapid assessment was conducted to one sampling site. Results of the study showed that the West Bagong Silang sampling site was fair in relation to coral reef cover. The assessment was done at about 100 meters from the shoreline and MPA [Marine Protected Area]. It was observed that there were few fishes and a few bleached corals in the site. However, a number of healthy corals were also seen. The respondents were asked about the uses and importance of coral reefs. This was done to be able to distinguish whether the respondents are concerned with the environment or not most especially for the coral reefs. For the resort owners, the importance of the coral reefs was mainly for tourist attraction and a home for the fish resources. It can then be concluded that the most resort establishments in the area built their resort houses for business purposes and not only for private use. Tourists view the importance of coral reefs in a different way. Most tourist stated that coral reefs are important because it supports marine life and is a part of nature. One with the lowest frequency responses for the tourists was 'for tourist attraction'. Willingness-to-pay was measured from the responses of the resort owners and tourist from the two options presented. From the resort owners, the mean annual WTP for Option 1 was Php 8,875 as a form of an annual conservation fee while Php 13,667 for Option 2. Meanwhile, tourists' WTP amounted to Php 735.00 per person per trip. The results of the CBA [Cost-Benefit Analysis] for the two options were positive and therefore economically viable. It is the decision, however, of the resort owners or the LGU which option to adapt.