A 42.25 hectares mangrove forest, the Bangrin Marine Protected Area (BMPA) in Bani, Pangasinan, is co-managed by the Municipal Government of Bani, the Nagkakaisang Samahan ng San Miguel Association (NAGKASAMA), and the Aporao Fisherfolk Association (AFA). In order to scale up and expand ecotourism initiatives like the BMPA, LGSP-LED is supporting the One Pangasinan Alliance of LGUs (OPAL) to develop an ecotourism value chain study. This will involve an inventory of OPAL sites, destinations and options, including the review of city/town master plans, zoning plans, tourism plan of OPAL areas; an analysis of the effects of extreme climate events on each element of the chain; and will set out conservation and tourism development objectives. The study will also include an assessment of the essential roles and functions of key LED partners such as the tourism-related facilities, establishments, proposed destinations and human resources. The results of the value chain study will serve as basis for the preparation of the workable business and competitiveness tourism plan to support a sustainable ecotourism industry in the Western Pangasinan area.
The One Pangasinan Alliance of LGUs or OPAL (one city and eight municipalities) is adopting value chain approaches to increase the income of farmers by improving productivity, reducing production costs through organic technologies, promoting farm management innovation, and integrating value-adding activities through agro-processing and marketing; as well as to harness the area’s ecotourism potentials.
For more information:
Engr. Roel Anonuevo
Head, Technical Working Group
One Pangasinan Alliance of LGUs
www.alaminos.gov.ph