Economic, social, and environmental impacts of the oil spill on eco-tourism in Taklong island national marine reserve: Perceptions of household heads in Barangay San Roque, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras

Abstract

Objectives of the study A. General This study aims to determine the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the oil spill on Eco-Tourism in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve after six (6) years, as perceived by household heads in Barangay San Roque, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. B. Specific This study specifically aims to determine the economic, social, and environmental impacts of the oil spill on Eco-Tourism in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve after six (6) years, as perceived by household heads when taken as a whole and when classified according to age, educational attainment, and household size. Likewise, it aims to determine whether there are significant differences in the perceptions on economic, social, and environmental impacts of the oil spill on Eco- Tourism in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve after six (6) years of household heads when age, educational attainment, and house hold size are considered. Scope and coverage This is a descriptive study which utilized a researcher-made survey questionnaire conducted among household heads in Barangay San Roque, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras. The target population consisted of 184 household heads who were randomly selected from total population of the barangay, residing in nearby seawater in the area. The retrieved 184 questionnaires representing (100%) were considered valid for data-analysis. Methodology Respondents were asked to check in the “yes” and “no” columns which corresponded to their answer to every item. The data-gathering instrument has a total of 19 items: economic impact - 5 items and an additional of 4 items for fisher folks; 5 items for social impact; and 5 items for environmental impact. This was submitted to a jury of experts on research for reliability and validity tests in which items rated for revision were improved. The retrieved data gathered personally by the researcher were processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Frequency, percentage, and mean scores were used for descriptive analysis. The t-test was used to determine the significant differences in perceptions on economic, social, and environmental impacts when age and educational attainment were considered. One-way ANOVA was used to determine the significant differences in perceptions on economic, social, and environmental impacts when household size was considered. Inferential statistics were tested at 0.05 level of significance. Conclusions Based on the major findings of this study, the following conclusions were drawn: The perceptions of household heads taken as whole, indicated “high” economic impact and “moderate” social and environmental impacts of the oil spill,. And when household heads were grouped according to age and educational attainment, those with small households perceived “moderate” economic, social, and environmental impacts of oil spill. The group of household heads with big and medium households perceived “high” economic impact of the oil spill, after six years. There are no significant differences in perceptions on economic, social, and environmental impacts of oil spill when age, and educational attainment, were considered. When the respondents were grouped according to household size, significant differences were noted in their perceptions of the economic impact. Recommendations From the findings and conclusions drawn, the following are recommended: Guided by the results of this study, the Department of Tourism should serve as source of information in strengthening programs and strategies to implement laws regarding Eco-Tourism as responsible agency in developing tourism and initiate the creation of a joint inter-organizational program with other government agencies; To the DENR/Department of Environment and Natural Resources, as vanguard of environment and area of study under its protection, these results should assist it in strengthening the programs to implement, networks with the other NGOs and public organizations for the continued public education of the communities, schools and tourists; Local Government Units, guided by the outcome of this research study, should enable the local government units to grasp the economic, social, and environmental impacts on Eco-Tourism in Taklong Island National Marine Reserve six years after the M/T Solar 1 oil spill. These are necessary for the formulation of a future tourism master plan and coming up with a more resolute program resulting in a sustainable tourism impact to the residents; For the Academe, these results should give an updated information to schools, colleges and universities like Central Philippine University- College of Hospitality Management and other colleges or universities offering hospitality courses, in curriculum design and in reviewing or re-evaluating the curricula to adapt to the changing needs of the tourism industry; For Hospitality Management students, these results should provide information in making them aware of the economic, social, and environmental impacts of oil spills to Eco-tourism development and to the local people in the affected area of oil spill; For Faculty Members, these results should serve as an instrument to effectively teach Eco-tourism management courses with emphasis on sustainable development required by the tourism industry; For Families and Households, these result would benefit those in all affected barangays of the oil spill, since these will give them the true scenario on how to recover after the mishap and the on-going renovations of the place as an eco-park. This will guide and encourage them to have the proper attitude towards tourists coming to the area. Moreover, residents could be informed to balance the socio-economic conditions and the environment in maintaining the pristine beauty of the place and be more pro- active in preventing the recurrence of an oil spill; For Future researchers, these results may be used as basis and reference to conduct further studies and researches considering other variables.