Chosen Philippine Destination - Cudugnon Cave of El Nido

From the towering marble cliffs and enchanting lagoons, to its white sandy beaches,
lush jungle and mangrove forest, prehistoric caves and waterfalls, El Nido is one of the
top tourist destinations in Palawan, which is often referred to as the Philippines' Last
Frontier. One of these exciting attractions is Cudugnon Cave, a particularly amazing
specimen of geological formations that has been found to have archeological value with
the bones and artifacts found there.

At first glance, it is a natural wonder that is a testament to the powerful forces of nature
as shown in eerily beautiful stalactites and stalagmites along with equally fascinating
interiors and elevated cavernous ceilings. The crevices of its cave roof are inhabited by
barn swallows and insectivorous bats.

Assigned Framework

Visitor Impact Management (VIM)

We choose Cudugnon cave because it was perfect for the sustainable planning
framework, which is the Visitor Impact Management (VIM) Framework. Because its
natural wonder is a testament to the powerful forces and stalagmites along with equally
fascinating interiors and elevated cavernous ceilings, and it became popular with the
tourist. From over 150,000 tourists in 2013, the number increased to over 200,000 in
2015, and double to over 300,000 in 2016. There are days when tourist arrivals reach
more than 2,000 or even 5, 000 per day.

Objective of Using the Framework in the Destination

The role of the planning framework in the designated area, which is the El Nido,
Palawan is a way to protect its naturalness and beauty while the tourist is having an
activity. Since the destination is totally known by the tourist the framework is more about
on how to control the number of tourists to the area to avoid stress in the environment
also to preserve nature and the surroundings to the area. The activities that is available
to the area are secured so that it will not damage any natural resources to increase the
quality of the recreational experience of the tourist. Additionally, the framework used
helps to control the impacts of the tourist in the destination regarding sustainability
practices and some aspects like the contamination and pollution that the tourist can
cause.

This framework is important to any destination to avoid damage that can destroy the
environment to preserve the area for its long-term naturalness.
Sustainable tourism planning framework

Promoting Environmental Education and Awareness

Making environmental education the centre of all learning process will greatly help in
changing the thinking pattern and attitude of people towards our earth and the
environment. Introducing subject right from the school stage will inculcate a feeling of
belongingness to earth in small children. ‘Earth thinking’ will gradually get incorporated
in our thinking and action which will greatly help in transforming our lifestyles to
sustainable ones.

Resource Utilization as Per Carrying Capacity

Any system can sustain a limited number of organisms on a long-term basis which is
known as it carrying capacity. In case of human beings, the carrying capacity concept
becomes all the more complex. It is because unlike other animals, human beings, not
only need food to live, but need so many other things to maintain the quality of life.
Sustainability of a system depends largely upon the carrying capacity of the system. If
the carrying capacity of a system is crossed (say, by over exploitation of a resource),
environmental degradation starts and continues till it reaches a point of no return.

Improving Quality of Life Including Social, Cultural and Economic Dimensions

Development should not focus just on one-section of already affluent people. Rather it
should include sharing of benefits between the rich and the poor. The tribal, ethnic
people and their cultural heritage should also be conserved. Strong community
participation should be there in policy and practice. Population growth should be
stabilized.

Proposed sustainability measures

Technology

Using appropriate technology is one which is locally adaptable, eco-friendly,

resource efficient and culturally suitable.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Approach

The 3-R approach advocating minimization of resource use, using them again
and again instead of passing it on to the waste stream and recycling the
materials goes a long way in achieving the goals of sustainability. It reduces
pressure on our resources as well as reduces waste generation and pollution.
Promoting Environmental Education and Awareness.

Making environmental education the center of all learning process will greatly
help in changing the thinking pattern and attitude of people towards our earth and
the environment. Introducing subject right from the school stage will inculcate a
feeling of belongingness to earth in small children. ‘Earth thinking’ will gradually
get incorporated in our thinking and action which will greatly help in transforming
our lifestyles to sustainable ones.

Improving Quality of Life Including Social, Cultural and Economic Dimensions.

Development should not focus just on one-section of already affluent people.

Rather it should include sharing of benefits between the rich and the poor. The
tribal, ethnic people and their cultural heritage should also be conserved. Strong
community participation should be there in policy and practice. Population growth
should be stabilized.

References:

https://hikersitch.com/tag/cadugnon-cave

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https://www.dreamstime.com/cadugnon-cave-tourists-palawan-philippines-december-
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Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. (n.d.). Limasawa. Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved

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