CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

I. Introduction and Background of the Study

Ecotourism entails preservation, conservation, and protection of natural

resources, species, history and culture of the specific place. With that is the

benefit of the local communities, sustainability and continuous development of

the site. In addition, ecotourism is a tool to provide environmental, socio-

economic and cultural needs. The amount of income can considerably raise the

stand of living of the local communities, development and for the maintenance of

the site.

Philippines had many ecotourism sites which is one of the biggest

contributions in economic growth of the country. That’s why sustainability and

continuous development of the particular ecotourism site is needed. As tourist

visits the site, their trashes are improperly disposed. It becomes a problem and it

can cause damages and destructions of the site.

Sustainability is that meeting the needs of the present without compromising

the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. As we share natural

resources not just with people who are alive on the planet today but also with

future generations of the earth’s inhabitants and sustainability becomes a

necessity.

The study will focus at sustainability of Wawa Dam located in the municipality

of Rodriquez in Rizal province, Philippines. Wawa Dam also called as Montalban

Dam is a gravity dam constructed over the Marikina River in the municipality of
Rodriguez in Rizal province, Philippines and located at the foothills of the Sierra

Madre Mountain. This was supposedly the only source of water for Metro Manila

prior to the construction of Angat Dam. It has gorge which lies between two

limestone mountains and through it passes the upper Marikina River. Four caves

are said to have been inhabited by the Japanese soldiers during the Second

World War. Wawa Dam offers picnic area for the tourist during summer season.

Along the area, there’s a scattered “sari-sari store” like a small scale of mining

community and Rotting bamboo materials from temporary cottages and bamboo

rafts are all over the place.

Before, Wawa dam had been the water supplier of Metro Manila until such

time that the water itself become contaminated. According to Antonio Sonio, the

Admin Officer of Wawa Dam, the water became contaminated because of the

piggery owned by Lucio Tan located near Wawa dam. The waste from the

piggery disposed straight to the river that is connected to Wawa Dam, since then,

the government decided to stop Wawa Dam in supplying water in Metro Manila.

B. Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) in 1990 gave one of the

earliest definitions of Ecotourism. Accordingly, ecotourism deals in responsible

travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and sustains the well

being of local people” (TIES, 2013). While it is still centered on providing an

enjoyable experience, the primary functions of ecotourism include the protection

of the site itself, revenue production, as well as local participation, education, and
capacity-building. The entire value chain of ecotourism activity – from the

planning and development, to the implementation, to the marketing and

operations – should be environmentally, socially, culturally, and economically

sustainable (Wood, 2012).

Eric Bruno, a senior research associate at the Environmental Science for

Social Change (ESSC) stated that Wawa dam offers local tourists a picnic area

especially during summer. The engineering dates back to the American period,

and the dam that used to supply water to the metropolis until the 1960s, offers an

educational theme in the ecotourism package.

In ESSC’s historical mapping of the Marikina flooding, it was stated that

the Wawa dam, built in the 1900s and non-operational since the 1960s, now

exists merely as a “weir” with no significant volume of water held behind. Eric

Bruno (ESSC) observed the Wawa Dam recently that the first thing that caught

his attention is the series of shanties cum sari-sari stores along the path. “Local

government can organize them better as the area looks like a small-scale mining

community to me,” he added. Garbage is all over the place, from the drop-off

point to the dam itself. Along the way are very noticeable temporary dilapidated

rest rooms from the side of the path, to the edges of the cliff. Rotting bamboo

materials from temporary cottages and bamboo rafts are all over the place, and

these are used during summer. And according to Eric Bruno (ESSC), the poor

governance is wasting the geological magnificence and the historical significance

of the place.

Conceptual Framework
 Figure 1

In this study (Figure 1.) shows the interaction of three major groups-

Wawa Dam and Local Community-Local Government and the Tourism

Industry to help preserve ecosystems and natural areas (usually already

within protected areas), to encourage environmental consciousness among

the local community by educating them about the dangers of overexploiting

resources and unrestricted number of tourists, To promote new economic

incentives, selling of local (environmentally safe) products, and Crafts thereby

create some entrepreneurial skills, to ensure communal ownership and

control, and that part of the profits flow into community development

programs rather than into personal enrichment; and To stand-in a feeling of

pride and community through a revival or preservation of “traditional”

practices and cultural techniques.

One of the major problems that has emerged from the past findings is that

ecotourism is very sensitive issue and be handed with at most care. The study

will be guided by the following research questions:

1. What is the profile of Wawa Dam as to the following:

a. Facilities

b. Services

c. Policies

2. How did the respondents act sustainability issues in Wawa Dam?

3. What problems being encountered by the respondents as to the

following:

a. Safety and Security

b. Poor Facilities

c. Cleanliness

d. Services

4. What recommendations may be proposed?

D. Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study will be conducted at Wawa Dam that is located at Sitio Wawa,

Barangay San Rafael, Rodriguez, an urban town in the province of Rizal. This

study involves the current status of Wawa Dam and its sustainability.
 Our respondents will be the local residents of Sitio Wawa; they have a

broad experience in this site, and the tourists for further information and their

personal recommendations.

E. Significance of the Study

This study will give awareness about the growing problems face by this

Ecotourism site regarding to sustainability of Wawa Dam.

The local community will became more open minded in helping the local

government in preserving the natural structure of Wawa Dam. Not only for this

Ecotourism site but also for the future generation that could witness this natural

attraction, and also for the livelihood of the local residents which is farming, their

land properties are located near Wawa dam.

As for the visitors, they will be more sensitive and conscious about the

site, the significance of it as an Ecotourism site and for the lives of the local

community leaving there. They could be mindful that simple things like proper

waste disposal and following simple rules and regulations could be a big

contribution in preserving and sustaining this site and exist until the next

generation.

F. Definition of terms

The following definition of terms are define according to it’s used.

 Dam - An artificial barrier with impounds or disports water.

 BOULDER - a detached and rounded or much-worn mass of rock.

river or stream cutting through hard rocks.

 Sustainability - To sustain the needs of the present without dismissing the

capability of future generations to meet their needs. Sustainability also

means that human practices do not result in the permanent damage,

alteration, or depletion of the environment, ecosystems and natural

resources.

 WEIR - A structure built into a river bank that allows the water to stream

from the main river direct into a bypass channel during time of high flows.

 Development - The act of developing something into a new and changed

over a period of time.

 Community - a group of people who live in the same area who has the

same interests, religion, race, etc.

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE AND STUDIES

A. Local and Foreign Literature

Eco-tourism focuses on local cultures, wilderness adventures,

volunteering, personal growth and learning new ways to live on our vulnerable

planet. It is typically defined as travel to destinations where the flora, fauna,

and cultural heritage are the primary

is now defined as "responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the

environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves

interpretation and education" (TIES, 2015).  

Presidential Decree 205, chapter X sec.55 stated that (a) Camps and

picnic ground sites shall not be subject to flooding, must be well drained,

distant from any source of nuisance and will not endanger sources of any

public water supply. (b) Camp and picnic houses shall be provided with

adequate lighting and ventilation. Where tents are used flooring shall be at

least 4 inches above the ground. And Presidential Dec. 205, sec 81 Cities

and municipalities shall provide an adequate and efficient system of

collecting, transporting and disposing refuse in their areas of jurisdiction in a

manner approved by the local health authority. Republic Act no. 7076, sec.5,

The Board is hereby authorized to declare and set aside people’s small-scale

mining areas in sites onshore suitable for small-scale mining, subject to

review by the Secretary, immediately giving priority to areas already occupied

and actively mined by small-scale miners before August 1, 1987: Provided,

That such areas are not considered as active mining areas. Provided, further,

That the minerals found therein are technically and commercially suitable for

small-scale mining activities: Provided, finally, That the areas are not covered

by existing forest rights or reservations and have not been declared as tourist

or marine reserved, parks and wildlife reservations, unless their status as

such is withdrawn by competent authority.

Ecotourism can increase community participation. According to Bagadion

and Del Fierro-Juan (2013), this will ensure the equitable distribution of the

benefits. This is also the key to maintain a sustainable form of ecotourism.

Community participation enables constituents to become stakeholders

themselves. Constituents will also adapt to the business opportunities that is in

line with the ecotourism establishments such as transportation services, retail

and consumer industries and hospitality.

Sustainable tourism is termed to be a responsible tourism as each

participant shares his portion of responsibility that includes respecting not just the

local culture and norms but also going by the rules laid for the local environment.

This is also helping in preserving the endangered flora and fauna of the tourism

regions. It is the fundamental responsibility of the tourists to take care and

judiciously use the water and other energy giving resources so that this will

preserve the inherited heritage to take benefit of it further and enjoy the bounties

in future (Thomas Cook 2010.).

The primary concerns of sustainable tourism include biodiversity,

environmental management systems, and social initiatives of the indigenous

communities, construction, procurement, waste management and preservation of

cultural heritage (WTTC, World Travel & Tourism Council, 2010).

(http://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1042&context=honors)

Promoting ecotourism will result to the sustainability of tourism itself

because “it serves to provide tourism products and services while

Thus, catering to the needs and wants of the tourists in the country shall

contribute in each aspect aforementioned which will lead to sustainable

development (Eriksson (2013).

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This study was conducted in order to determine the capability of Wawa

Dam and its management to sustain its natural resources and the Wawa Dam

as an Ecotourism site. In order to gather the necessary information, the

researcher applied the mixed method, involves collecting, analyzing and

integrating quantitative and qualitative approaches. The respondents of this

study are the local community and visitors in Wawa Dam that randomly

selected as participants. The survey-questionnaire method was the research

instruments used for data gathering.

The respondents who have been chosen in this study accomplished a

survey-questionnaire to evaluate the status of Wawa dam.

This chapter will be dedicated to the description of the methods and

procedures done in order to acquire data, how they will be analyzed,

interpreted and how the conclusion will be met. Specifically, this study will
 cover the following: the research design, respondents of the study, research

instruments, data gathering procedures and statistical treatment.

A. Research Design

Quantitative Data

Includes close-ended information (ex. rating scales, observation

checklist or questionnaire), the analysis of this data consists of analyzing scores

collected on a survey-questionnaire to answer research questions.

Qualitative Data

Consists of open-ended information, researcher conducts

interviews, focus groups and assessment.

By mixing both quantitative and qualitative research, the researcher gets

in scope and better understanding and authentication, while compensating the

weaknesses that are essential in using each approach by itself.

B. Respondents of the Study

The study will have the local residents and the visitors of Wawa Dam as

our respondents. All of these respondents were selected through random

sampling. This sampling method is conducted where in, each in everyone has an

opportunity to be a respondents. In order to conduct this sampling method, the

place (Barangay) and then randomly selected respondents to make the sample.

Another respondent of this study will be someone in the management of

Wawa Dam, they will response in our interview and we will gain more information

from them.

C. Data Gathering and Procedures

The study used first hand data which comes from our chosen respondents

who answered the survey-questionnaire given to them. Next will be the

information given by our interviewee who answered some of our questions

regarding in the research. This study also utilized secondary data includes

published summaries and raw data (e.g. Books, articles, websites, magazines

and journals.

D. Statistical Treatment of Data