2.

11 TOURISM

2.11.1 Existing Situation

Cebu City’s tourism industry is characterized mainly as historical, cultural and

religious. Being the trade and service center in the region, the city
accommodated an estimated 80 percent of the region’s total tourist arrivals,
mostly domestic and business tourists. It also indirectly accommodated about
80 percent of the holiday and adventure-seekers and tourists as the city is also
noted recreation and shopping destination in the region.

As of 1998, the city hosts 25 hotels with a total number of 2,334 rooms, 9
tourist inns with a total number of 430 rooms, and 30 pension houses with a
total number of 735 rooms.

Assessment of Performance

The region’s tourism industry, particularly Cebu City, suffered a setback in 1998
due to the Asian financial crisis. The reduction on the number of domestic and
foreign flights and the temporary closure of the country’s flagship carrier further
aggravated the problem. As a result, tourist arrivals in the region declined by
3.61 percent in 1998, from 633,901 visitors, as compared to 657,645 arrivals in
1997 thus greatly affecting the region’s average hotel occupancy rate as shown
in Figure 2.11.01. While domestic tourists registered a positive growth of 3.11
percent in 1998, it was some 10.46 percent lower compared to the 13.57
percent registered in 1997.

Figure 2.11.1
Tourist Arrivals vs. Hotel Occupancy Rate
Region 7

It was estimated that during the financial crisis, the region lost a10-percent
potential earnings in tourist arrivals. Thus, it can be best surmised that since the
city accommodated 80 percent of the region’s total tourist arrivals, it lost 8
percent of every 10 percent potential earnings lost by the region.

To note, from 1990 to 1995, the city’s tourism industry registered the highest
growth rate in employment among service sub-sectors with 3,558in 1990 to 7,281
in 1995. It also cornered about 6 percent of the city’s total service employment.

Factors Influencing the Performance

The local tourism industry is observed to be less diversified and is basically
dependent to Asian tourists particularly Japan, Hongkong, Taiwan and Singapore.
These tourists accounted for 70 percent of the average international tourist
arrivals from 1994 to 1998 as shown in Figure 2.11.02). Thus, the region’s
tourism industry, especially Cebu City, was greatly affected by the Asian
economic crisis because of its dependence on these Asian tourists.

In additional, the fierce competition posed by the other Asean beach and resorts
destinations in attracting holiday and adventure-seeker tourists is also affecting
the growth of the city’s tourism industry. These Asean tourist destinations have
better facilities and natural attractions compared with that of Cebu.

Figure 2.11.2
Int’l Tourist Arrivals, by Continent (by % Share)

The historical, cultural and religious features of Cebu City are of minor interest to
most non-Christian Asian tourists, who comprised majority of international visitors
in the city who are mostly holiday and adventure-seeking tourists. Per
experience, these tourists usually stay in Cebu for about 5 to 10 days, a week on
the average.

Having similar religious or cultural tie-ups with the major tourist markets such as
Japan, HongKong, Taiwan and Singapore is also a great advantage for other
Asean tourist destinations. These major tourist markets prefer to spend their
holiday in other Asean tourist destinations rather than the Philippines because of
the above reasons that is why while the other Asean tourist destinations attained
a remarkable growth in their tourism industry, Cebu did not.

Projected Development Scenario

The World Tourism Organization (WTO) predicted that tourism in East Asian and
the Pacific would start to recover beyond the year 2000 as international tourism is
expected to grow strongly in the future. WTO forecasted that, globally, 702 million
people will travel in the year 2000, and 1,018 million in 2020.

It is also estimated that over 20 percent of international arrivals will occur in the
developing countries, like the Philippines. A significant proportion of these
international visitors originate from the developed countries and majority of the
travel is intra-regional. However, a deeper look into the number of international
arrivals show that among the Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines ranked
second only to Vietnam as the least preferred tourist destination in the region as
shown in Figure 2.11.03.
 Figure 2.11.3
Share of International Tourists, by SEA Country

At the local scene, it is seen that as the country’s economy continues to improve,
the local tourism industry follows and continue to perk up. Business tourist will
make up the bulk of these tourists. In addition, the city will remain as the service
and support center of the region’s tourism industry.

2.11.2 Development Potentials and Constraints

The historical, cultural and religious features of the city at present are not
enough to attract international arrivals, particularly the holiday and adventure-
seeking tourists. In a recent forum, the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and
Industry through the tourism committee identified the following concerns that
affect tourism in the city and these are:

•Poor sanitation and littering

•Peace and order specifically security in and out of the tourist areas

•Poor services, infrastructure and support facilities

•Lack of new tourist attractions to compete with other Asian countries

•Lack of comprehensive tourism plan including marketing

However, the potential of the city in attracting upper and middle class tourists
through accelerating business activities and services is relatively good.

To recall, being the service and support center of the region, the city cornered
60 percent of the total domestic tourists arrivals in the region who were in the
city for business, professional, medical, financial, and educational purposes.
These exclude the “same day visitor” who are just staying the city for less than
24 hours and are travelling for trade and occupational activities.

A glance at the international arrivals in the region also suggests that European
and American tourists are more consistent travelers as compared to Asian
tourists (Figure 2.11.4). These tourists have made travel as an integral part of
their lifestyle. They also pay more attention on historical and cultural
background of a place, which no other city on Southeast Asia can offer except
Cebu City.
 Cebu City also has a competitive advantage over other Asean tourist
destinations in terms of accessibility from major tourist market. What is needed
is a good product image combined with excellent support facilities honest
drivers, hotel personnel and the like and no nonsense promotion,
implementation and sustenance.

Bringing the set of Christianity in Asia is vital and inherent asset to attract
tourists with religious and historical leanings, to Cebu City. Catholics is
estimated at 30 percent of the world populace and this is quite a big market for
tourism. Cebu City have initiated the implementation of the plan to declare the
City as the Christian Pilgrimage site in Asia when this happen this would
increase the attraction of this market to Cebu City.

Considerable number of tourist potential sites are available in Cebu City, be in

the Central Business District and the upland. Their development does not need
that many investments.

Figure 2.11.4
International Tourist Arrivals, by Region
(Growth Rate in %)

Priority Issues and Concerns

The main concern of the City is how to enhance its image as the historical, cultural
and religious destination not only in the country but also in Asia and at the same time
be the business, educational, professional, medical and educational center in
Southeast Asia.

Sectoral Objectives

To make Cebu City the religious, cultural and heritage destination in Asia by the year
2020.
2.11.3 Sectoral Strategies

The following are the sectoral strategies that have to be adopted for the City of Cebu
to attain the above objectives;

a) Draft and Implement the Cebu City Comprehensive Tourism Master Plan
 A comprehensive practically- implementable master plan for tourism has to be
drafted in consultation with all sectors that directly and indirectly affect the tourism
sector. The plan have to address the concerns that affect tourism and shall provide
clear and specific direction for the sector.

b) Work for the Ultimate Proclamation of Cebu City as Christian Pilgrimages site
in Asia

Cebu city as the main destination of tourists with religious, historical and heritage
agenda will be boosted with the proclamation of the City as the Pilgrimage site in
Asia. Being the first seat of Christianity in Asia, it is but fitting to proclaim the city
as pilgrim site in Asia. Initial activities have been done on this aspect during the
visit of Cebu City Officials to the Vatican early his year.

c) Conservation of religious, cultural and historical sites

Along the above directions, there is a need to restore and reinforce the character of
older village areas in Cebu City. Beautification of public parks, historical and
cultural sites and preservations of institutional, cultural, religious and historical
buildings and residences also need to be enforced.

Putting up of landmarks, structures of definitive characterization of Cebu City have

to be established at selected locations in the City such as entrances and exits to
the City, main promenades and even on a major streets.

d) Provision of infrastructure support facilities

Provide appropriate support infrastructure such as arterial road network to and from
all tourist attraction places, intensify program to ensure sanitation, proper and
appropriate waste disposal systems, provide proper signages and maintenance of
landmarks.

e) Strengthen the tourism support services

Provide standard of services among tourist facilities in the city that should be at par
with international standards. Conduct trainings for the tourism people, those that
are involved in tourist related services such as vendors, drivers, hotel resort
personnel and others to center on proper handling and servicing of tourists,
investors and city guests. Establish good and stable peace and order climate for
the city especially within the waterfront area.

f) Tourism Development

Provide alternative new tourist attractions. The development of the entire seafront
area of the city, provision of boating facilities, and transformation of major rivers
and creeks into navigable ones are also being recommended for adoption.

There is also a need to improve and develop museums, parks, arts centers, public
libraries, sport arenas and other possible attractions. Establish recreation facilities
in the hillyland areas to support eco-tourism activities while at the same time
protecting the productive agricultural land and the watershed area. Reinforce the
rural village character of the hillyland barangays through infrastructure support
integrating walking and touring routes.

g) Intensify marketing program

Setting up of Tourism and Convention Bureau responsible in attracting middle to

upper class strata of domestic and international tourists at the same time
 responsible in improving the city’s image as historical, cultural, religious,
convention and recreation destination while promoting the city’s tourist attractions.

2.12 FORESTRY

2.12.1 Existing Situation

Lands intended for forest purposes are being threatened by other speculated
land uses. Lands are classified either as forestland or alienable and
disposable (A & D). A & D lands under our present system of classification are
lands not needed for forest purposes. Forestlands are intended for forest
purposes. The DENR is accorded with the management, supervision and
control on lands classified as forestland.

In accordance with Section 5 of Republic Act. No. 7586, otherwise known as

the NIPAS Law, Mananga Watershed, Kotkot-Lusaran Watershed, Sudlon
National Park, Cebu City National Park and Buhisan Watershed were
identified as initial components of the protected area system and as such
shall be governed by existing rules and regulations not inconsistent with said
NIPAS Law.

The National Integrated Protected Area System is placed under the control
and supervision of the DENR. The NIPAS Act clearly stipulates that
management zones are to be established. Areas identified as initial
component of the Protected Area System can still be classified as Forestland
or A&D. forestlands are most likely to be devoted for forest purposes under
the NIPAS management zones. Private property rights within A & D lands
shall be accorded due respect, however, A&D lands within the Protected Area
may be subject to government regulations.

Joint Executive-Legislative Water Crisis Commission as mandated under

Republic Act No. 8041, otherwise known as the National Crisis Act of 1995,
passed Resolution No. 08, designating Mananga as among the watershed
areas where adverse development undertakings are to be suspended.

The suspension involves the following activities:

• Road construction, except access roads necessary for the efficient

surveillance of the watershed area and farm to market roads, which
provide lifeline support for the people of the community.
• Residential, Commercial and Industrial Subdivision.
• Garbage dumpsites
• Logging
• Farming utilizing materials
• All other land and resources use infrastructure projects, which are found
to be incompatible with uses of the area as watershed.

Despite various statutes and proclamations with intent for forest development,
Cebu City has a forest cover of 4.8%. This is relatively low compared to the
generally accepted ideal proportion of 40% forest cover.

Almost all of the existing forest covers in Cebu City are established
plantations. Practically virgin forest or natural growth forests are non-existent.

Most of these plantations are established through various projects. These

include the Cebu City Reforestation Project (CCRP), Buhisan Watershed
Forest Reserve (BWFR), Mananga Watershed Forest Reserve, Kot-kot
 Lusaran Watershed Forest Reserve, Cebu City National Park, and Suldon
National Park (Table 2.12.01).

Table 2.12.1
Coverage of Forest Development Supporting Projects.

Area
Barangays
Name of Project Legal Mandate Covered
Covered
(ha.)
Cebu City Reforestation 7,236
Project
Buhisan Watershed Forest E.O. No. dated 631 Buhisan, Tisa Pardo,
Reserve July 13, 1991 Toong, Pamutan,
Guadalupe, Sapangdaku
Mananga Watershed Forest Presidential 6,325 Buot-Taup, Sinsin, Bonbon,
Reserve Proclamation 681 Pamutan & Pungol-Sibugay

Kot-kot Lusaran Watershed Presidential 14,220 Taptap, Guba, Agsungot,

Forest Reserve Proclamation 932 Paril, Lusaran, Adlaon,
amended by 1074 Sudlon I & II
Sudlon National Park Presidential 896 Sudlon I & II part of Sinsin
Proclamation 56
Central Cebu National Park Presidential 11,893.58 Balamban, Sudlon I & II,
Proclamation 202 Tagbao, Lusaran , part of
amended by 835-A Cambinocot & Adlaon
Sources : DENR and Cebu City GIS, 1998

The rest of the forest cover include areas under the Tree Farm Lease
Agreement (TFLA) in Maraag, Sudlon; the Community-Based Contract
Reforestation (CBCR) and the Family Approach to Reforestation (FAR);
Integrated Social Forestry (ISF) Areas; the different Memorandum of
Agreements (MOAs) entered into by and between DENR and the NGOs; and
the private and local government initiated plantations.

The pace in plantation development is essentially based on national

government priorities. It was only during the middle of 1980s when
environmental concerns became evident. In 1989 the government initiated an
accelerated reforestation efforts through contract reforestation (CREF). Non-
government Organizations sprouted and entered into contracts with DENR for
plantation establishment. These efforts contributed to the expansion of forest
coverage.

The forest development efforts are ceaselessly threatened with speculations

for other land uses. Various stakeholders living inside or outside the forest
domain are pressing to accommodate non-compatible forest uses. The
preservation of the forest now rests on group sympathetic to the forestry
plight.

2.12.2 Proposed Development

• Consistent with PD 705 all forestland shall be devoted for forest purposes.
Existing development adverse to forest development shall gradually be
assimilated in the forest ecosystem. Future adverse development shall
consistently be deflected.
 • Existing forest occupants shall as much as possible be managed in
placed unless their existence becomes a deterrent to forest development.

• The protected area management zoning for areas identified as initial

component of the protected area management system shall be observed.

• Forestlands covered by statutes and presidential proclamations and

orders shall be respected according to their purpose and intent.

• Areas within forestland where DENR has entered into lease

arrangements, Memorandum of Agreement/Understanding and
Community Based Forest Management Agreements shall be respected.

• Forest development areas that are outside of the Protected Areas but
within A&D lands may be initiated for development by private owners.

• Forest plantations on barren and marginal lands within forestlands shall

be encouraged.

• The plan for the OECF funded Mananga Sub-project shall be incorporated
in the Cebu City Land Use Plan.

• Forest development activities especially those areas with forest occupants

shall be managed in community-based approach.

• Forestland outside the Protected Areas maybe classified as Production

Forest or Protection Forest.

• Forest development on areas within A&D maybe placed under the

management and control of the local government.

• The participation of the NGOs, the LGUs, the national government

agencies (NGAs), government-owned and controlled corporations
(GOCC), private corporations and the community towards forest
development shall be encouraged.

2.12.3PROTECTED AREA LAND USE

All activities within the Protected Area of Cebu City shall be governed by the
policies, administrative orders and protected management plan of the Department
of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7). The Management plan for the
entire protected area of Cebu City is a separate document duly approved by the
Office of the President.

The following uses/ zones in the protected area shall be considered as defined
under the National Protected Area System (NIPAS) Act.

a. Strict Protection Zones – Areas with high bio-diversity vale shall be cosed
to all human activity except for scientific studies and/or ceremonial or
religious useby indigenous communities.

b. Sustainable Use Zones – Natural areas where the habitat and its
associated bideversity shall be conserved but where consistent with the
management plan and with PAMB approval; (I) indigenous community
members and/or tenured migrants and/or buffer zone residents may be
allowed to collect and utilized natural resources using traditional
sustainable methods that are not in conflict with biodiversity conservation
 requirements; (ii) research, including the reintroduction of indigenous
spees, may be undertaken; and (iii) park visitors may be allowed limited
use. Provided, no clearing, farming, settlement, commercial utilization or
other activities detrimental to biodiversity conservation shall be
undertaken. The level of allowable activity can be expected to vary from
one situation to another.

c. Restoration Zones – areas of degraded habitat where the long-term goal

will be to restore natural habitat with its associated biodiversity and to
rezone the area to a more strict protection level. Initially, natural
regeneration will be assisted through such human interventions as fire
control, cogon suppression and the planting of native species including
indigenous pioneer tree species as well as climax species. Exotic species
(not native to the site) shall not be used in the restoration process. Existing
houses and agricultural developments may be allowed to remain initially
bu would be phased out eventually.

d. Habitat Management Zones – areas with significant habitat and species

values where management practices are required periodically to maintain
specific non-climax habitat types or conditions required by rare, treatened
or endangered species. Example would be forest openings for the
tamaraw or brushly forest for the Philippine tarsier. Human habitation and
sustainable use may be allowed if they play a habitat management role.

e. Multiple-Use Zones – areas where settlement, traditional and/or

sustainable land use, including agriculture, agroforestry, extraction
activities and other income generatig or livelihood activities, may be
allowed to the extent prescribed in the management plan. Land tenure
may be granted to tenured residents, whether indigenous cultural
community members.

f. Buffer Zones – areas outside the protected area but adjoining it that are
established by law (Section 8 of the Act) and under the conol f the DENR
through the Park Area Management Board. These are effectively multiple-
use zones that are to be managed to provide a social fence to prevent
encroachment into the protected area by outsiders. Land tenure may be
granted to occupants who qualify. Before zones should be treated as an
integral part of the protected area in management planning.

g. Cultural Zones – areas with significant cultural, religious, spiritual or

anthropological values where traditional rights exist and ceremonies and/
or other cultural practices take plae.

h. Recreational Zones – areas of high recreational, tourism, educational, or

environmental awareness values where sustainable eco-tourism,
recreational, conservation education or public aareness activities may be
allowed as prescribed in the management plan.

i. Special Use Zones – areas containing existing installations of national

significance; such as telecommunication facilities, irrigation canals or
electric power lines. Such installations may be retained subject to mutual
agreements among the concerned parties, provided such installations will
not violate any of the prohibitions contained in Secion 20 of the Act.

j. Other management zones such as may be used in the management plan

and approved by the Secretary.

Categories of Protection Lands:

• NIPAS categories:
♦ As described above

• Non-NIPAS category:
♦ Primary forests
♦ Second growth forests on more than 50% slope
♦ Buffer strips along rivers and escarpments
♦ Freshwater swamps and marshes
♦ Lakes and other inland water bodies

• Environmentally Constrained Areas:

♦ Areas subject to severe erosion:

♦ Soil erosion
♦ Riverbank erosion

♦ Areas subject to weather-related hazards:

♦ Typhoon belts
♦ Storm surges
♦ Droughts

♦ Areas subject to earthquake-induced hazards:

♦ Ground shaking
♦ Ground rupture
♦ Landslides
♦ Areas close to active fault lines