Palawan is considered to be the Philippines`last frontier´. Its group of islands harbour very diverse and endemic plants and animals. According to the Philippine Department of Tourism, Palawan´s tourism potential relies heavily on its natural assets. The development of Club Paradise (CP) Resort in Dimakya Island (Northern Palawan) conforms with the tourism master plan for the area. The management of CP recognizes the fact that the long-term gain of the resort and its host community lies on the preservation of Dimakya. Dimakya is remarkable for its ecological significance (as habitat to many plants and animals, some of which are endangered), research significance (as one of the few areas where wild dugongs can be observed in their natural habitat) and high aesthetic value.
The role of CP in the preservation of Dimakya and its resources
Small islands, like Dimakya, are generally very fragile. They are in great danger once they get inhabited by man. Without CP, the island may still be occupied by people whose use of land is detrimental not only to the vegetation but also to its hydrological profile. Without CP, habitat degradation in the marine environment can be expected judging from current fishing practices in the vicinity.
The present use of Dimakya as a nature-oriented resort will ensure the conservation of the diversity of terrestrial flora and fauna. Although a part of the island has been developed, greater portions will be preserved and protected. The natural lagoon, for example, remains as a natural attractant to wetland inhabitants and visitors. Thus, wildlife around the lagoon area (such as herons, bulbuls and kingfishers) continues to inhabit the island. The climax vegetation and the hills are also preserved in their natural state. These areas provide habitat to other birds which area displaced in the flatlands.
Offshore (front of the resort) is a sea grass bed which is a feeding ground of the green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and the dugong (Dugong dugon), both are endangered. Because turtles and dugongs are known to be intolerant of moving objects on the surface, the management of CP has declared the area as a special-use zone for scuba diving only.
About 250 sightings of a male dugong have been recorded from 1992 to 1995 only at the house reef. This has led to the development of the Dugong Conservation Project, a joint effort between Toba Aquarium of Japan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), World Wildlife Fund and Club Paradise (Annex). Dimakya is one of the few areas in the world where it is possible to watch a wild dugong in its natural habitat. Dugong-watching is now a popular activity at the resort. And the dugong is the number 1 target beneficiary of the resort’s conservation efforts. Dugong-watchers travel to as far as Calauit (refer to map). The activity culminates in Cheey where tourists get to see life in the rural side.
About 250 sightings of a male dugong have been recorded from 1992 to 1995 only at the house reef. This has led to the development of the Dugong Conservation Project, a joint effort between Toba Aquarium of Japan, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), World Wildlife Fund and Club Paradise (Annex). Dimakya is one of the few areas in the world where it is possible to watch a wild dugong in its natural habitat. Dugong-watching is now a popular activity at the resort. And the dugong is the number 1 target beneficiary of the resort’s conservation efforts. Dugong-watchers travel to as far as Calauit (refer to map). The activity culminates in Cheey where tourists get to see life in the rural side.
The resort has engaged in an active tagging program for marine turtles to study their habitat range. From February to October 1991, 12 marine turtles were tagged using the markers from Pawikan Conservation Project of the DENR.
The waters around Dimakya serve as a developmental habitat of the green turtles. Moderation in the use of lights is being practiced at the resort to attract turtles to nest in the beach. Every year turtle hatchlings are spotted on the main beach.
Information on the biology of the dugong and marine turtles is given to tourist through slide and video shows, which are held regularly at the clubhouse. Campaigns to save the dugong and marine turtles were conducted at the baranggay level through seminars and nationwide through TV and print media.
CP has also succeeded in protecting reefs around Dimakya from over fishing and illegal fishing methods. Species of giant clams, like the endangered Tridacna gigas, proliferate in these reefs. The contrast of the healthy reefs of Dimakya and ravaged reefs of the surrounding area is very evident. For this reason, Dimakya is chosen as a primary study site for the research titled Small-island tourist resorts and their role in the protection of coral reef resources, a joint effort between Palawan Council for Sustainable Development and British Overseas Aid Organization VSO (Annex). Without CP , it is foreseen that there will be degradation of the fisheries around the island.
Tourist-related activities (snorkelling, scuba diving, trekking, dugong-watching and bird-watching) are all centred on nature and are usually guided by the resort’s resident biologist. Kayaking through the mangroves , for example, is an enjoyable way to learn about the mangrove ecosystem and the way of life of the people living in this environment.
There are general and specific guidelines to ensure minimum disturbance to the environment, specific plant or animal while conducting the activities (Annex). The cultural sensitivity of the people encountered during the tours are also taken into account.
There is one activity that is highly cultural- Folk dancing. It is a presentation of dances which depict the customs and culture of the Filipino people. These include thanksgiving dances, courtship dances, duel dances and prayers in dance form. Tourist are enticed to dance `Tinikling´, the country’s National Dance.
Club Paradise also helps generate funds for the maintenance of the Calauit Game Reserve and the Apo Reef Natural Park. For a fee, CP conducts day tours to Calauit and Apo. A portion of the fee is remitted to the foundation managing the parks.
But the most commendable feature of CP is that it yields socio-economic benefits to its host community which include improved transportation service, medical service, employment generation, municipal and baranggay income contribution and promotion of local production (food and building materials).
In face of adverse economic conditions, tourism is among the industries that can help move the economy forward. Euro-Pacific Resorts Inc., the developer of Club Paradise, is among those with unwavering confidence in the country’s tourism potential.
