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UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SCHOOL OF URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING

Activity No.1

Donsol, Sorsogon: Local Government Unit Assessment and

Proposed Interventions Based on Five (5) Local Economic Development Criteria

Submitted to:

Mark Mateo Morales, Ar./EnP.

Professor

Submitted by:

Vinson P. Serrano

Plan 210

December 2011

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Table of Contents

Title Page 1

LGU Profile: Donsol, Sorsogon 4

Five (5) Local Economic Development Criteria

1. Food security/ self- sufficiency 6

a. Donsol on Food Security and Self-Sufficiency

b. Proposed Interventions

i. Establishment of Agricultural Centers on Strategic Locations

ii. Establishment of Tourism Visitor Centers aside from the

Whale Shark Activity Retaining Existing Business and Industry

2. Retaining Existing Business and Industry 8

a. Donsol on Retaining Existing Business and Industry

b. Proposed Interventions

i. Establishment of Proper Expansion of Market Sites

ii. Establishment of Fish Ports with Proper Waste Management Facilities

3. Attracting new business 10

a. Current Scenario

b. Proposed Interventions

i. Establishment of Agriculture-Related Industry Sites for Post-Processing

ii. Establishment of Communal Facilities such as Sewage Treatment Plant,

Better Waste Disposal Facility, and Protection Services Facilities

3

4. Nurturing small and start-up businesses 11

a. Current Scenario

b. Proposed Interventions

i. Establishment of Souvenir Centers/Markets

ii. Establishment of Small-Medium Density Accommodation Facility Sites

with Regulation of the High-Density Accommodation Facility Areas

5. Develop and finance facilities that help capture business locators or re-circulate local

funds 13

a. Current Scenario

b. Proposed Interventions

i. Establishment of Technical and Vocational Schools and Skill Training

Facilities

ii. Establishment of Tourism Visitor Centers aside from the Whale Shark

Activity

Endnotes and Bibliography 15

4

Local Government Unit Profile: Donsol, Sorsogon

Donsol is a coastal town with a total

land area of 152.99 sq. km. and is located at

the northwestern part of the province of

Sorsogon, which occupies the southern

terminus of the Bicol Peninsula. Of the total

land area, about 25.64 sq. km. comprises the

built-up urban area and 15.68 sq. km. is

devoted to agricultural purposes, and about

13.86 sq. km. is reserved for recreational and

tourism purposes. Some 5.33 sq. km. of

undifferentiated lands including waterways of are not fully developed.

It is bounded on the north by the municipality of Jovellar, Albay, on the northwest, by the

municipality of Pio Duran, Albay, on the south by the Burias Pass and on the east part by the

municipality of Pilar, Sorsogon.

It is geographically located about 12° 54' 26.896" north latitude and 123° 36' 28.867" east

longitude. It is 66 kilometers away from the City of Sorsogon and 51 kilometers away from the

City of Legazpi in the province of Albay. A provincial road connects Donsol to the municipality

of Pilar while provision for road network connecting Donsol to the two adjacent municipalities

of Jovellar and Pioduran has been considered and included in the development plan of the

municipality.

Through the years, the Municipality of Donsol basically remained as an Agricultural

Town. With the improvement however, of the vital transportation and other infrastructure

facilities, the municipality is gradually progressing socially and economically. Much to its

advantage is the now worldwide recognition of the municipality as one of the best place for

animal encounter. Tourism economy now significantly contributes to the development of the

municipality. This is manifested by the regular infux of both domestic and foreign tourists all

eager to see and interact with the visiting whale sharks locally known as Butanding along the

coastal waters of the municipality particularly during Butanding Season.

Source:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Ph_locator

_sorsogon_donsol.png

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Photo 1. A photo of the famous Ogod River where Firefly

Watching activity occurs every night. Photo taken May 2009 by

Vinson Serrano

The settlement role of the municipality of Donsol under the Sorsogon Provincial Physical

Frameworks Plan, Year 1993- 2002 is that of a small town. Its principal role therefore is as a

Small Agri-Processing.i

Sitting on the northwestern part

of Sorsogon Province, Donsol marks the

provincial boundary on the northwest,

adjoining the province of Albay. The

town has 51 barangays, 11 of which are

situated in the coastal areas of the

municipality. With a population of

39,995, population growth is relatively

high, at an annual rate of 3.23%, higher

than the national average of 2.36%.

Fishing is the primary source of food and income. Noel Castro, a former coastal barangay

captain reports that, prior to the tourism boom, there had been few development projects in his

community; until recently and the common sources of drinking water were water pumps and

open wells.ii

Photo 3. A panoramic view of the Donsol coastline showing all the coastal barangays of the municipality. Photo

taken May 2009 byVinson Serrano

Photo 2. A panoramic view of the Donsol coastline showing the Catundulan Point, a tourist spot in the

municipality. Photo taken May 2009 byVinson Serrano

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Whale Shark Tourism Activity: Propeller of Main Economic Activity

In January 1998, the sudden discovery of whale sharks or Butanding (Rhincodon Typus)

along the shores of Donsol, Sorsogon in the Bicol region have turned a once-quiet town from an

ill-equipped community into a potential ecotourism destination in the country. Such discovery

brought an influx of tourists and unprecedented effects of the growing community development

giving rise to several community development problems. Moreover, the concept of ecotourism is

to be further established in the operations of the municipal planning development as it aims to

become an effective tool for conservation towards sustainable development.iii

Donsol, Sorsogon Assessment and Proposed Interventions Based on the Five (5) Local

Economic Development Criteria

Donsol, Sorsogon hailed as the Whale Shark Capital of the World for having the biggest

number of whale shark congregation on a single time of sighting has tremendously contributed to

the socio-economic prosperity of the municipality and to the entire region as well. Such

incidence raised the economic activities consequently benefiting the vast majority of villagers on

creating small to medium enterprises and adding an alternative source of livelihood to the

community. Listed below are the five local economic development criteria current scenario and

how the proponent intends to seek further development or give augmenting aid according to the

given criteria:

1. Food security/ Self- Sufficiency

a. Donsol on Food Security and Self-Sufficiency

Donsol, Sorsogon, being known as a small agricultural town transformed

into an ecotourism destination has turned its unsustainable practice of heavily

relying on agricultural and fishery activities. For this reason, high incidence of

overfishing thus disrupting the natural ecosystem of Donsol remained to be the

major problem until such time that whale shark watching activities was set into

place. Farming and Fishery as its main economic activitiesiv

(DILG Report in

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2009), brought by its rich geographical features are the prime contributors of

financial income to the municipality. However, on the precedent activities of

tourism, this has turned the entire town to the tourism sector whereas all of its

natural features will be maximized.

By the year 1998, the sudden influx of tourist gave plenty of opportunities

to the Donsolenos, from the business to tourism sector, giving benefits to every

household in the municipality.

b. Proposed Interventions

Focusing on the strengths of Donsol in agricultural and fishery sector as its

main economic activity, the main intention of the program is to secure equal

distribution of economic activities within the agricultural barangays that are not

directly benefiting from the tourism activities related to whale sharks.

Furthermore, it aims to maximize the potential and rich natural resources of

Donsol to support all communities to boost agricultural trade and heighten the

economic benefits of farming and other agriculture-related industries.

i. Establishment of Agricultural Centers on Strategic Locations

Since Donsol has a vast agricultural land, to be able to maximize

its natural resources on food production, locating agricultural centers

within the municipality may support the year-round agricultural

activities of Donsol. Agricultural centers will have adequate storage

facilities in response to the frequent rainy climatic condition of the

municipality and will be located on strategic geographic locations. The

facility will provide a one-stop shop for baranggays and other

neighboring villages to purchase and trade agricultural products with a

good infrastructure linkage from the national road since the road

networks in Donsol has not yet been well established. This facility will

give primary convenience to farmers, consumers, and other trade agents

to conduct agriculture-related businesses in Donsol to maintain its main

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economic activity without the loss of sustainability practices such as

crop rotation and maximization of crop according to its suitable land

use.

ii. Establishment of Designated Fishing Area and Regulation of

Fishing Practices

Since overfishingv is a predominant incident in the waters of

Donsol, it is recommended that facilities and regulations shall be

implemented to control the fishing activities in the area. Likewise, a

proper regulatory action should be done to be able to secure that proper

fishing practices geared towards sustainability shall operate so as to secure

food security in terms of marine food resources.

1. Retaining Existing Business and Industry

a. Donsol on Retaining Existing Business and Industry

Agricultural and Fishery sector propels the economic activity of Donsol,

though Tourism sector seemed to contribute bigger in terms of financial income

for the municipality. However, the existence of agricultural and fishery activities

in Donsol remained its identity and the traditional way of living of most of the

villagers. Proposed interventions seek to support the existing businesses and

industries in the municipality, and to encourage innovations to widen the scope of

beneficiaries of these activities to the entire municipality.

b. Proposed Interventions

The program aims to strengthen the existing facilities with regards to

existing business and industry that Donsol has to offer to its villagers. In line with

this, providing the facilities with a better amenities and additional services to

strengthen its use for the community will make it more useful and more

conducive for its particular use. The more people realize that an upgrade for a

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certain facility is being developed thru time, the more the people realize its value

and eventually will take good stewardship on it over time.

i. Establishment of Proper Expansion of Market Sites

The existing market site in the Poblacion area seems to be

inadequate to support the local agriculture and fishing industry in the

municipality. Other existing local industry needs to be redeveloped on the

same site since the urban congregation in the area has already been

established. Given with a proper expansion of the market site, to support

the higher density of people living within the area this will not only

support the locally established market site, but will also add variety of

flavour to the locality due to the addition of other local industries that

existed resulting from the tourism industry. Such establishment of proper

expansion will not only result to a better redevelopment of the existing

facility, but will also eliminate the street vendors lining up within the coast

lines that poses a threat to the very sensitive ecology of Donsol.

ii. Establishment of Fish Ports with Proper Waste Management

Facilities

The existing fish port located in the Poblacion area needs proper

sanitation and waste disposal management. Such alarming incident poses

a great threat to the pollution of the natural habitat of the whale sharks.

If not controlled, such condition could affect not only the whale shark

tourism industry but the fishery industry as a whole. To mitigate the

negative effects of this incident, an establishment of fish ports with

proper waste management facilities may address this issue of sanitation.

With this establishment, boats can dock safely without the risk of

sludge-off waste in the clean waters of Donsol. This will not only secure

that Donsol will retain its healthy trade activities in fisheries but will

also aid to address the issue of environmental sensitivity and

stewardship.

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2. Attracting New Business

a. Donsol on Attracting New Business

Attracting new businesses in Donsol related and supporting to the main

tourism activity is very essential in the development of the socio-economic prosperity

of the municipality. Due to the growing number of demand of supporting industries

and sector such as the accommodation sector, commercial and trade sector, as well as

the need to explore new business venture related to it is vital for the maximization of

its resources and socio-economic activities. Likewise, it is imperative that the existing

condition in Donsol is very healthy for attracting new businesses and necessary to

provide facilities and interventions to translate these into beneficial economic

activities for the people.

b. Proposed Interventions

The program aims to strengthen the capacity of Donsol more than being a

Tourism Destination in the Bicol Region. In addition to the numerous

citations received by the municipality on the whale shark watching

activities, there is a need for a wider spectrum of sites and services that the

municipality can offer to the budding businesses for it to flourish.

Establishment of good sites and services will not only attract new

businesses, but will also add leverage to the entire community in terms of

business operation.

i. Establishment of Agriculture-Related Industry Sites for Post-

Processing

Donsol as an agricultural town is known to produce agricultural

products from Coconut and Abaca. Establishing an agriculture-related

industry sites for post-processing of these products may result to a

development of other industries linked with agricultural products such as

souvenir and handicraft production, furniture making. These facilities

when established, may invite investors and businessmen to put venture

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into this kind of industries. This is also an alternative to maximize the

production of available resources from the agricultural produce aside from

food. Such business will not only benefit big industries but will also

support small communities and households with varying degrees of human

capital.

ii. Establishment of Communal Facilities such as Sewage Treatment

Plant, Better Waste Disposal Facility, and Protection Services

Facilities

As Donsol maintain its natural and sensitive ecology,

establishment of communal facilities such as sewage treatment plant for

the municipality, waste disposal facilities, and protection services will not

only secure good environment quality in the municipality, but will also

invite businessmen due to good communal facilities that are necessary to

most of the industries nowadays. Securing good protective services such

as police stations and fire protection facilities will give a competitive

advantage to the other neighbouring towns due to these critical facilities

provided for them. This will not only ensure the safety of the people, but

will also secure environmental benefits for the succeeding generations of

Donsol.

3. Nurturing Small and Start-Up Businesses

a. Donsol on Nurturing Small and Start-Up Businesses

In line with attracting new businesses, the support foundation of nurturing

small and start-up business in Donsol has seemed to prosper over the years. Since

the year 1998 when the tourism industry began in Donsol, several small and start-

up businesses seemed to flourishvi

. Souvenir and delicacy producers have grown

in numbers, while small family dwellings with rooms converted into bed and

breakfast facilities have generated income for several communities in the

municipality. Indeed, the tourism activity has led to the promotion of small and

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start-up business to expand into varying scale and provide alternative source of

livelihood for the villagers of Donsol. Linear development with sporadic

commercial establishments along the road networks has been very evident in the

transformation of the municipality from a once sleepy-quiet town.

b. Proposed Interventions

The program aims to support and strengthen the capacity of small to

medium industry key players in establishing a competitive business sector in the

municipality. With proper tax incentives and monitoring (based on DILG Financial

Performance e-Report 2009)vii

, encouragements for these nurturing and starting-up

businesses will not only ignite small economic activities, but it is in the higher

note to emphasize the domino effect brought by these small businesses in creating

multiple businesses supporting it in varying levels in the society.

i. Establishment of Souvenir Centers/Markets

Since the flourishing industries of souvenir and delicacy

production in the municipality have supported small to medium families

up to the big business key players, establishment of souvenir centers and

markets provided with good support service and marketing from the

government sector will not only entice the business activities, but will also

generate an additional set of economic activities that will support the

souvenir centers. This facility will not only secure good tax generation and

monitoring but also maintains a fair and healthy competition among

industry key players. Such establishment will also promote local industries

to help Donsol in labelling the Filipino products into international and

local tourists.

ii. Establishment of Small-Medium Density Accommodation Facility

Sites with Regulation of the High-Density Accommodation Facility

Areas

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Since the tourism development started, several small family

dwellings were converted into bed and breakfast facilities to cater

backpackers in their short travel and stay in Donsol. However, these small

to medium density accommodation facilities need to be regulated to secure

safety and quality standards of tourism experience for all the tourists. Such

issue can be addressed by the establishment of accommodation facility

sites provided with supporting services for the tourists. This will ensure

the proper sanitation of the community and safety of tourists. On this

establishment, safety and security services and facilities will be provided,

as well as support services such as health, tourist assistance, and protective

service facilities. This will lessen the threat of any untoward incident

within the tourism vicinity and will also establish the carrying capacity of

tourism influx near the coastal barangays of Donsol.

4. Develop and Finance Facilities That Help Capture Business Locators or Re-

Circulate Local Funds

a. Donsol on Develop and Finance Facilities that Help Capture Business

Locators or Re-circulate Local Funds

On a gradual scale, the development of communal facilities and

improvement of physical development such as infrastructure networks have been

evident in the urban fabric of Donsol. Site facilities such as improvement in street

lighting, addition of security posts, tourist assistance posts, improvement of power

and water infrastructure, and others are signs of development in the

municipality.viii The establishment of the Tourism Center in Barangay Dancalan,

shown a big progress since the year 1998, while a better municipal hall has

improved its facilities and have created a good image in the community.

b. Proposed Interventions

Through projects that will showcase the level of progress of the community

as a whole, Donsol will eventually realize the positive effects brought by the

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economic activities set by the tourism industry. Moving forward by continuing the

best practices done over the years, Donsol will be able to maintain its stature as

the Whale Shark Tourism Destination in the World and Best Animal Encounter in

Asia cited by the Time Magazine. However, the need for a better capacity

building for the future generations of Donsol and to explore all other tourism

potentials in the entire municipality could bring bigger and better socio-economic

effects not only to Donsol but to the entire region at large. These programs are

resultant of what tourism has brought to Donsol not just financially but as a

developed community to maximize its revenue generation.ix

i. Establishment of Technical and Vocational Schools and Skill Training

Facilities

Donsol prides itself with a good human capital with good literacy

ratex way above the national average, and to maximize this resource is to

invest on the establishment of technical and vocational schools and skill

training facilities in the municipality. Capacity building and equipping the

community with skills and training that can be passed on to future

generations and thru education infiltration that can secure the continuing

growth of Donsol and its growing tourism industry.

ii. Establishment of Tourism Visitor Centers aside from the Whale

Shark Activity

Donsol prides itself with plenty of tourism spotsxi, both natural and

built, that generates a year-round income to the municipality. As the main

attraction focuses on the whale shark watching activities, other tourism

spots such as the Catundulan Peninsula, Tuba Falls, Tankulan Mangrove

Ecopark, Ogod River, the Astilleros Site, Grotto, among others needs to be

developed into a well-established tourism destination. Development of

other tourism sites could bring equal distribution of tourists in various

parts of the municipality, without bringing the negative implications of

heavy tourist migration at particular locations. On a very sensitive ecology

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of Donsol, the establishment of carrying capacity and proper monitoring

and maintenance of each and every tourism centers is critical. Such

establishment of tourism visitor centers will not only provide location for

small to medium scale businesses but will also secure the tourism

activities meet its prescribed carrying capacity in line with sustainable

tourism practices.

Endnotes and Bibliography

i vi

viii

Donsol Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Local Government Unit- Donsol,Sorsogon. 07/17/2009.

ii v Community-Based Ecotourism and Coastal Resources Management Project in Donsol, Sorsogon.

http://www.wwf.org.ph/about.php?pg=wwd&sub1=00011. 07/17/2009.

iii Serrano, Vinson P. Aquatika: Whale Shark Exploration Center. University of Santo Tomas Undergraduate

Thesis. Espana,Manila. 03/2010.

iv Department of Local and Interior Government LGU-Donsol Profile 2009.

http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/LGU_Profile_sorsogon_Donsol.pdf. 12/11/2011.

vii

R.Pine. Donsol:Whale Shark Tourism and Coastal Resource Management. WWF-Philippines. Quezon City.

2007.

vii

Department of Local and Interior Government Financial Performance e-Report, Municipality of Donsol,

Sorsogon, PY 2009. http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/LGPMS_Sorsogon_Donsol_FinancialReport.pdf. 12/11/2011.

viii

Department of Local and Interior Government State of Local Governance Performance, Electronic

Report, Municipality of Donsol, Sorsogon, PY 2009.

http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/LGPMS_Sorsogon_Donsol_SLGPR.pdf. 12/11/2011.

ix Department of Local and Interior Government State of Local Development, Electronic Report,

Municipality of Donsol, Sorsogon, PY 2009.

http://dilgbicol.org/attachments/LGPMS_Sorsogon_Donsol_SLDR.pdf. 12/11/2011.