Involvement of the Local Community in

Tourism Development in Hagonoy, Bulacan:

Basis for a Community-Based Sustainable
Tourism

The One Child, One Tree Initiative, that launched on January 13, 2017 aims to reunite
the greatest number primary school students with the benefits of tree planting and
environmental management protection, this also designed to support broader
community efforts to help with the vegetation, resources, and knowledge of plants
supporting the Hagonoy’s green tree canopy, mitigate the impact of climate change
and help protect the community from permanent damage from constant severe
flooding.

Sali, N. (2017), “One Child, One Tree Project Implementation Report”

https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/4000-students-plant-800-trees-
in-22-public-elementary-schools-in-hagonoy-for-the-one-child-one-tree-initiative/

On 2018 2nd day of June 43 volunteers from Biogenic Alcohol, a leading brand of

Cosmetique Asia Corporation in the Philippines and Rakso CT, Biogenic's business
partner, planted 1,000 native Filipino mangrove trees in Hagonoy, Bulacan. In quick
reaction to Biogenic's obligation to plant 1000 mangrove seedings, Hon. City hall
leader Amboy himself supported an extra 1000 seedlings to be planted in the
encompassing fish lakes, having pondered after converses with FEED and the
Hagonoy Fish Farmer Producer's Cooperative. This project aims to help the
likelihood to start new mandates requiring all private fish lakes to secure their
artificial or regular dams through planting mangroves along their own borders.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2018/biogenics-1000-native-
philippine-mangrove-trees-topped-up-by-hagonoy-mayors-1000/

According to FEED Ambassador Natalia Sali, They began their organization on 2017
when they planted 1,000 trees and prepared 4,000 understudies in 25 grade schools in
Hagonoy, Bulacan. In excess of 30 local volunteers were selected and prepared to
convey the preparation to understudies and help with planting trees. The DENR gave
narra and mahogany while Fostering Education and Environment for Development,
Inc. (FEED) gave 100 natural product bearing trees and sound mulberry trees.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/if-one-wants-to-harvest-one-has-
to-plant-or-sow-partnerships-materialize-mangrove-reforestation-in-hagonoy/

In initiative of the founder of One child, One tree, the Fostering Education and
Environment for Development, Inc. (FEED) prepared an environment project named
Fun run and Zumba dance program for a cause in Hagonoy, bulacan community. The
purpose of the progam is to help restore the Mangrovees in the community. The said
proceeds will go to the Mangrove Reforestation Project in Hagonoy which is aimed at
planting 50,000 mangroves and training community residents to protect them.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/step-up-for-trees-fun-run-and-
zumba-for-50000-mangroves-on-july-1st/

"Know, act, and have confidence in what you do" is a quote presented by the
inhabitant and leader of the Hagonoy Fish Farmers Producers Cooperative (HFFPC),
Mr Vic Cruz, in a discussion with One Child, One Tree volunteer Jan Philip Cabrera.
He encourage the community of Hagonoy to considerably proceed with their
Mangrove Reforestation Project. This project is an exploration and local area based
undertaking which will draw in barangay pioneers, teachers, children and parent in
Tibaguin, Hagonoy Bulacan with the essence of raising their mindfulness on the
worth of mangroves and motivate them to propagate and protect them with the proper
guidance and leadership of FEED, Inc. and One Child, One Tree.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/be-aware-act-believe-in-what-
you-do-the-power-of-one-mangrove-reforestation-strengthens-community-resilience-
in-hagonoy/

Facilitated by the Municipal Environment Officer (MENRO) of Hagonoy of the

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Mr. Stephen Payawan,
and top of the Hagonoy Fisher and Farmer's Cooperative, Mr. Victor Cruz and Mayor
Raulito "Amboy" Manlapaz Sr. planted the first Mulberry seedling at the Municipal
Hall as an image of the united endeavors between the public authority, local area and
private area. This occasion was seen with 140 LIKKHA people group pioneers from
Bulacan, involving a different portrayal of the neighborhood populace, including
fisherfolk agreeable individuals, state funded teachers, concerned senior residents,
ranchers and individual volunteers including the One Child, One Tree delegates of
FEED and different NGOs.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/another-peoples-organization-
for-the-environment-launched-in-bulacan/

One Child, One Tree (OCOT) held on 26 January 2019, Hagonoy, Bulacan with the
help of volunteers in partnership with Leading Environment Action for the Future
(LEAF) members led by its mentor Mr. Jose Aguilar conducted a survey in Abulalas,
Hagonoy, Bulacan. Barangay councillors guided the volunteers as they conducted
house to house interviews. The survey is aimed at exploring the views of community
residents on solid waste management including waste segregation. This is the first
step towards planning a community-based solid waste management program to
address the garbage problem in the barangay. LEAF volunteers come from different
barangays in Hagonoy and have been supporting the different environmental projects
of One Child, One Tree from mangrove planting to coastal clean ups.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2020/one-child-one-tree-conducts-
community-survey-on-solid-waste-management/

On December 6, 2019 in Hagonoy, Bulacan. Seventy-two participants representing 25

barangay councils, schools, and local organisations in Hagonoy, Bulacan attended a
recycling information event on December 6th 2019, coordinated by One Child, One
Tree (OCOT). The event was aimed at raising participants’ awareness on plastic
pollution and recycling options that can be implemented in schools and communities.
The honourable Vice mayor of Hagonoy, Mr. Angel Cruz, Jr. gave an inspirational
speech, emphasising the strategic goal of the local government to save our water and
land resources. Miss Misha Rabat from Nestle Philippines presented their solid waste
management program, while Mr Gilbert Angeles of Green Antz Builders presented
how plastic laminates can be recycled into eco-bricks. They encouraged the
participants to partner with them and address the plastic pollution in Hagonoy.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2019/one-child-one-tree-raises-
awareness-on-plastic-pollution-with-solutions/

38 young environmental leaders from Saint Jude Catholic School (SJCS), a Chinese-
Filipino School based in San Miguel, Manila, sponsored a “One Child, One Tree”*
planting activity of 145 flood and saline resilient trees – with the enthusiastic
participation of 50 Grade School children and 23 teaching and coordinating staff from
San Nicolas Elementary School (SNES) in Hagonoy, Bulacan on March 9, 2017. The
early morning commenced with a warm welcome by SNES Principal Felicisima T.
Manarang, who spoke at length about how Hagonoy used to be clean and green
during her childhood, and how important it was for the future leaders of the country to
collaborate in restoring our environment, health and safety.
https://feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/san-nicolas-elementary-school-
receives-145-flood-saline-proof-trees-from-saint-jude-catholic-school-for-hagonoy-
bulacan/

According to Aira Ronalie P. Santos (2021) Project Assistant II of PSTC-Bulacan

“Prepare, Response, Recover” are essential things to consider in mitigating problems
encountered during and after emergencies. And for a coastal community in Hagonoy,
Bulacan, relevant information and sufficient preparation should be done to reduce
undesirable risks in times of calamity. As a way to address these challenges, the
DOST-III pioneered the deployment of Disaster Preparedness-Kit (Disaster Prep-Kit)
developed by Frontlearners Inc. in Brgy. Tibaguin, Hagonoy, Bulacan. The project
was funded under the expanded implementation of the Community Empowerment
through Science and Technology (eCEST) program which is fully supported by
Senator Joel Villanueva.
https://region3.dost.gov.ph/

Bulacan Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PRFFWC)

maintains and operates a network of rainfall, river and flood stage observation stations
within the province. The monitoring stations are part of its flood disaster mitigation
and management program to reduce the risk of flooding and landslides. The town of
Hagonoy in Bulacan has names of saints for almost all its barangays—San Jose, San
Agustin, San Sebastian, Sto. Niño, San Miguel, San Pascual, San Nicolas, San Pablo,
Sta. Ines, Sta. Elena, Sta. Monica, San Juan, San Isidro, San Pedro, Sta. Cruz, San
Roque, and Sto. Rosario to be exact. With just a little downpour, the whole
municipality turns into a body of water. Water released from the nearby Angat and
Ipo Dams also cannot be held by the Bustos Dam, causing it to overflow. The flood
increase its level to 4.9 meters and taking longer to subside compared to the past few
years. Rene Crisistomo of the Hagonoy Risk Reduction and Management Office said
discipline of the people is the ‘key’ to avoid this kind of flood.Filipino people living
in a town in the Philippines say their homes are constantly under water because of
Manila Bay and the elevation of the town's roads. When it rains, the water flows back
into the peoples' homes, even if the rain is not falling anymore. Locals have blamed
the chronic flooding on improper waste management by some people, while others
blame nature itself for the calamity. Visiting the muddied tombs, seeing fish on the
streets, and watching children playing in huge “swimming pools” created by excess
water from the dams, rivers, or by a monsoon rain, the people of Hagonoy have
learned how to deal with this daily reality for almost four decades.
https://www.manilastandard.net/lgu/luzon/241983/hagonoy-a-town-or-a-body-of-
water-.html

The initiative is part of a larger plan to address perennial flooding in Bulacan.

Mangroves are essential to protect against flooding, says SMC president Ramon Ang.
The target is 190,000 mangroves to be planted over 76 hectares across Bulacan and
Central Luzon. Mangroves are key to maintaining the marine eco-system and water
quality. They are also the first line of defense for those living along the shorelines. 10
hectares of coastal area in Hagonoy will be planted with 25,000 mangrove seedlings.
Manlapaz was joined by regional officials of the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR), other national and local officials, and volunteers. The
goal is to cover 76 hectares of coastal area all over Central Luzon, and plant a total of
190,000 mangrove saplings.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1110569

The townsfolk have prayed to all these saints—and have sought more divine
intervention—for a miracle for their seemingly eternal problem: flooding during the
rainy season. Geographically, Hagonoy is on low-lying land near a coastal area —it
sits on the northern shores of the local government unit in Bulacan claiming proper
dam protocols can help to alleviate the perennial flood problems not just in Hagonoy
but throughout the province of Bulacan. While the Municipality of Hagonoy, through
its Environment Management Office in partnership with the Philippine Business for
Social Progress last 2012 made an “eco-bike” project which helps in collecting the
garbages in different barangays. The former mayor of Hagonoy, Angel Cruz
participated and emphasized the value of initiative, but the issue of improper waste
management became worst this 2017. The LGU of Hagonoy and the National Solid
Waste Commission were joined by members of the Mother Earth Foundation in
clearing the trash floating and blocking the sewage.
https://www.manilastandard.net/lgu/luzon/241983/hagonoy-a-town-or-a-body-of-
water-.html

On 13 January 2017, Hagonoy, Bulacan. The “One Child, One Tree” initiative was
launched on January 13th to reconnect as many Public Elementary School students to
the benefits of tree planting and environmental stewardship, also designed to
encourage a larger community effort to help green Hagonoy’s tree canopy, source
and knowledge of climate change mitigation/adaptation to nutrition, and to help
protect the Municipality from the perennial damage caused by persistently intense
floods.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/4000-
students-plant-800-trees-in-22-public-elementary-schools-in-hagonoy-for-the-one-
child-one-tree-initiative/%3famp
According to Margaret Mead “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,
committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
One Child, One Tree advocates and partners will continue seeking sustainable
solutions, starting with the most critical needs, mangrove and other coastal species
protection against flooding and saline intrusion, whilst ensuring the strengthening of
existing as well as alternative livelihood sources to optimise water and food security
for the residents of Hagonoy. FEED encourages this type of tree planting program that
directly engages children, also delivers a hands on learning opportunity to get youth
involved in the environment and conservation of our natural resources. Recent
scientific studies even suggest that students are better able to concentrate, finish tasks
and follow directions after being in natural settings. Through experiential learning,
they are able to see, touch and feel the structure of the trees, learn how to care for
them and watch them grow. Teachers used the planting process to share the various
benefits trees provide and it is an intimate and profound way of establishing Living
Legacies early on in life.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/feed.org.ph/media-centre/press-releases-2017/4000-
students-plant-800-trees-in-22-public-elementary-schools-in-hagonoy-for-the-one-
child-one-tree-initiative/%3famp

According again to Ramon Ang “these mangrove areas are a good breeding ground
for mud crabs and will provide the local government unit of Hagonoy, fishermen,
local entrepreneurs, and rural communities with a sustainable source of income given
the mud crabs' high-income potential,” Hagonoy’s coastal area is part of the total 76
hectares under SMC’s massive mangrove-planting program. A total of 190,000
mangroves will be planted in the coastal areas covering Bulacan and Central Luzon.
The first 8,000 of the 25,000 mangroves were planted in three hectares in Hagonoy’s
Barangay Tibaguin last July 29 with the remainder expected to be completed within
the year.
https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/smc-to-develop-sustainable-mangrove-crab-industry-
in-bulacan-a1373-20200819

In October Hagonoy, one of the lowest-lying areas in Bulacan province, is expected to

benefit from the mangrove project for the long-term as mangroves will help protect
locals from floods brought on by the rainy season, tidal floods, and waters coming
from the Pampanga basin. The mangrove planting program is part of SMC’s flood-
mitigation plan ahead of the construction of the Manila International Airport, the
country’s newest and largest international gateway just north of Metro Manila,
https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/smc-to-develop-sustainable-mangrove-crab-industry-
in-bulacan-a1373-20200819

According to Ramon Ang “These flood mitigation measures are all integral to airport
development. It’s very important to address these environmental concerns before
investing over P700 billion for the airport. This airport is a game-changer for
everyone and will help revive the economy of Bulacan and the country against the
Covid-19 pandemic,
https://www.spin.ph/life/guide/smc-to-develop-sustainable-mangrove-crab-industry-
in-bulacan-a1373-20200819

This thesis aims to improve housing quality in Hagonoy, a typhoon prone

municipality of the Philippines, by designing an affordable typhoon resilient and
prefabricated home with a floating foundation for the lower income class. This thesis
was written in collaboration with the company, Finch Buildings. Three months of
preliminary field research in Hagonoy gave insight into the local problems, climate,
local wishes and needs. These insights, combined with literature research on
prefabricated and typhoon resilient design, provided the foundation or the design
phase by identifying the benefits of prefabrication and defining the requirements for a
typhoon resilient building. Additional parameters for the design phase were set
through an analysis of suitable timber species and the further defining of Finch
Buildings' design principles. In the design phase a conceptual, structural and final
design was developed, concluding with a feasibility study. The result is an optimal
residential building that is ready to build.
https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid:1684d67c-dbe9-4993-b41f-
8120336c9bd9?collection=education

(c) 2016 Van Schaik, J.W.J.

This study was anchored on the idea of strengthening the traditional ways of settling
disputes at the barangay level, as an off- shoot and alternative mechanism to the
continuing congestion of cases filed in the regular courts of the Philippines.
This attempted to assess the responsiveness of the barangay justice system in
Hagonoy, Bulacan, as basis for enhancing mediation procedure. The study adopted
the descriptive method of research and also used qualitative and quantitative research
designs to picture the real extent of responsiveness of the barangay justice system.
The result of the study showed that the respondents described the extent of
responsiveness of the barangay justice system as follows: settlement of disputes -
responsive, satisfaction of clients - responsive, and referral of cases - moderately
responsive, and the overall verbal description was moderately responsive. The result
of the study implied a clear indication that the members of the barangay justice are
trying their very best in the discharge of their mandated powers and functions to fully
serve the interest of their constituents relatively with the settlement of disputes
serving as controversies affecting rights and interests of both the adversarial parties.
Thus, is thereby producing a favorable consensus from the people thru mediation
conferences. However, in terms of referral of cases, there is a clear evidence that there
is still a need for improvement in the performance of roles and responsibilities on the
part of the “lupon and pangkat,” to fully and best serve the judicial interest of their
constituents thru an effective mediation conference between the adversarial parties in
the system.
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3684191
Jocelyn Benter
Bulacan State University; University of the Cordilleras (UC)
Date Written: September 1, 2020

The Local Government Code of 1991 significantly manoeuvered the structure of

governance in the Philippine local governments through decentralisation. As disaster
risks and its impacts are experienced locally, the proactive undertakings of and inputs
from the municipalities, cities and the barangays call for the complementary
integrative role of the regions and provinces, and the harmonisation of efforts
following the policy directions of the national government. This paper presents a brief
overview of the Philippines’ experience on decentralisation and highlights some of
the salient features of disaster risk reduction and management (DRRM) vis-à-vis
decentralisation thru a case study in the Municipality of Hagonoy in the Province of
Bulacan. It also cites the issues and challenges confronted by the local government
units (LGU) in planning for and managing of disasters. Lastly, it recommends
improvements in the planning and administrative systems in order to attain an
effective DRRM system/mechanism.
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007%2F978-3-319-29367-7_8
Kristine Follosco-Aspiras 16 June 2016

MANILA – Groups of migrant workers have lauded the plan of San Miguel
Corporation (SMC) to construct an international airport in Bulacan saying it as a
potential source of employment and livelihood opportunities for local and overseas
workers displaced by the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. “This bold
move of San Miguel Corporation to push through with the airport project amid the
uncertainty caused by Covid-19 has become the biggest ray of hope not only for the
people of Bulacan but also for our OFWs and other displaced workers,” said Susan
Ople, president of the Blas F. Ople Policy Center, Ople, a resident of Hagonoy,
Bulacan, added that aside from providing jobs and livelihood, the project would
address the perennial flooding problem in coastal areas of the province. “It doesn’t
make sense to build an airport in a place where planes can’t even land because of
constant flooding, so definitely this problem will be addressed by SMAI (a subsidiary
of SMC) in partnership with the provincial government,” she added. Danny
Ricohermoso of the Integrated Seafarers of the Philippines (ISP) said the maritime
sector is supporting the construction of a new airport in Bulacan because it will create
new jobs and help stimulate the economy.
He added that the new airport project, once completed, would put the Philippines
firmly on the map as an investment and tourism destination, and a key player in the
global market.
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1116518
By Ferdinand Patinio September 24, 2020, 10:01 pm

According to Provincial Government of Hagonoy Bulacan, the town was then, at that
point and still at present bounteously with Hagonoy plants nipa, fragrance and
numerous other tropical plants. Hagonoy leaves are considered restorative and can be
utilized as food fixings. It flourished during that time along coastlines. Hagonoy
imparts its limit to the towns of Calumpit and Paombong in Bulacan and Masantol in
Pampanga region. It is essentially a fishing town with the Manila straight regions as
its fishing ground, which reaches out up to the regions of Cavite, Pampanga and
Bataan. Two fish ports, one in barrio San Pascual and the other at the Poblacion, are
the most active spots in the town.
https://www.bulacan.gov.ph/hagonoy/history.php?
fbclid=IwAR06NJ7B_pfFNFM6t_6rKFjPpegkT4wE9DSiUkzL3bU6_neL5lj5Wq8Q
5ro

According to Wikiwand (2020), two local fish ports called "pundohan" – one in barrio
San Nicolas and the other at the Poblacion, are the busiest commercial areas in the
town. With its bountiful water assets and the coastal front nature of the town, most of
the population is reliant upon the fishing business. Indeed, even the municipal
government has its own fishpond privately known as "Propyus", arranged in Pugad
and Tibaguin, two coastal front barangays of Hagonoy.
https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Hagonoy,_Bulacan
Manlapaz said the planting action that began on Tuesday was the primary period of
the venture dispatched by SMC. He additionally said the extending of the Bulacan
waterways as a component of SMC's digging plans is required to completely take care
of the flooding issue. He added that the Bulacan streams ought to be dug at the same
time, since, in such a case that only one waterway is dug, it won't be sufficient to give
arrangement and the endeavors and subsidizes will be squandered.
https://faspselib.denr.gov.ph/sites/default/files//200729_MB_Velez_Hagonoy%20is
%20pilot%20site%20for%20flood%20control%20mangrove%20tree%20planting
%20project.pdf