STI COLLEGE CALOOCAN

109 Samson Rd., Caloocan, 1400 Metro Manila

MALAPASCUA ISLAND, CEBU

TOURISM PLAN PROPOSAL

Members:

Berba, Angelina Krismae

Cariño, Daniela

Pitalco, Ma. Katrina

Santiago, Keilah Samuel

Santos, Khyla Mae

Tantoy, Ma. Cristina

 Malapascua Island is known for its stunning beaches and the magnificence of its reefs.
The island is known as "Mala Pascua," which means to "Poor Christmas" in Spanish.
Malapascua is additionally a small island recognized for its dive sites. This island can be found
in Barangay Logon in Daanbantayan, in the northern part of Cebu, and therefore is home of
one of the most threatened species of shark, the Thresher Sharks. This island is ideal for
exploring because it has numerous hidden beach paradises. Malapascua Island is
approximately 2.5km long and 1km wide was at its widest point, which makes it home to
approximately 5000 people, estimated 1400 of whom are children.

Modernization Theory

According to this theory, tourism aids in the neighborhood's transition from traditional
to contemporary. It is predicated on the idea that tourism may be a crucial instrument for
economic development, assisting in the fight against poverty and the creation of jobs.

Adaptancy Platform

This platform recognizes the detrimental effects of commercial tourism. It encourages

people to seek alternative tourism, which is defined as a style of tourism that focuses on low
volume and minimal impact.

Sustainable Tourism Approach

A sustainable tourism approach that places a focus on a destination's responsible use

of its natural resources. It is stated that the growth of tourism should not deplete or harm the
resources since doing so would harm the ecology.
Tourism Development Theory

The chosen theory for tourism development on this island is Modernization. The local
people live in small communities and rely on traditional fishing and agriculture for their
livelihood. We have chosen the Modernization theory because we believe that upgrading the
infrastructure will benefit the local people on the island. However, we also recognize that
Modernization theory raises concerns regarding our heritage sites. As we develop
infrastructure, we may forget our culture and heritage and believe that modern structures are
superior to old ones.

Therefore, our goal is to apply Modernization theory in a way that upgrades

infrastructure for employment opportunities that benefit local communities and attracts
visitors to the island without compromising our culture and heritage.

Tourism Planning Approach

Malapascua Island in the Philippines' Cebu Province's north is renowned for its
stunning beaches, clean seas, and variety of marine life. Those who live on Malapascua Island
have access to largely tourism-related occupations. There is a rising need for professionals in
the hospitality and tourism industries as more tourists visit the island. Malapascua Island
people work in agriculture and fishing to support their families. The island's population
traditionally makes their living through fishing, and with the island's rising need for fresh
vegetables, agriculture is taking on more significance. Due to the island's tiny size and
isolation, many essential services are either few or nonexistent. For instance, locals struggle
to satisfy their basic requirements due to restricted access to healthcare, education, and clean
water, and the majority of people there exclusively depend on fishing and agriculture, which
jeopardizes the environment.

In our opinion, the Sustainable Tourism Approach is the best approach for
Malapascua Island. We are all aware that if the three (3) dimensions of sustainable tourism
are not balanced, it will have a significant effect on both the environment and its stakeholders.
The resources on the Island will eventually run out and become unusable if they are overused
indefinitely. For the next generation to enjoy the same benefits, Malapascua residents must
maintain the island's resources. In order to achieve this, we proposed in our theory of choice
that modernization be implemented on the Island in order to provide citizens with additional
employment options.

Tourism Planning Platform

The Cebu provincial government aims to protect Malapascua Island and its rich
marine life through a revised plan for eco- tourism. The island is known for its diving tourism.
Thresher sharks and mantra rays frequent its waters particularly in Monad Shoal. According
to Davide, the Cebu Governor, the island exceeded the usual percentage entry of the tourists
after being featured in the Lonely Planet guidebook. The government established an
education program to emphasize the need to protect corals, mangrove, and practice solid
waste management.

The management and disposal of solid waste has now become a serious issue that
needs addressing. Malapascua’s current issues create a platform for the study of the causes as
well as possible solutions to the issue of solid waste management. Another issue is having too
many fishermen and not enough fish, a terrible side effect which became another threat in the
island where there is not enough livelihood.

Malapascua Island is a wonderful quiet tropical Island featuring long white sandy
beaches, coconut trees, and crystal-clear water. Nevertheless, the island is ruined by the mass
tourism that brings negative impacts. However, they have tried to minimize and avoid these
impacts with new tourism strategies or an "alternative tourism" that focuses on low - volume
and low - impact form of tourism. This tourism planning platform will aid the government in
Cebu and the officials in Malapascua Island to create a project that will promote conservation
of the marine resources, preservation and taking care of the fishes where the locals can benefit
through their livelihood.

We suggested the Adaptancy Platform because it emphasizes green tourism,

environmental improvement, and human wellbeing. This platform anticipates potential
problems that, if they are not resolved now, could appear in the future. According to our
group, Malapascua must build the ability to adapt to future changes and development in order
to establish a sustainable tourism industry. Future tourist influx is possible, and if the
administration is unable to find solutions to these problems, mass tourism on the island may
become a concern. The residents and the government should both be more concerned with
protecting their island because it is the source of their livelihood. As a result, it is important
to continue the island education campaign. Also, this will aid the community in avoiding
activities that can endanger mangroves, marine life, and biodiversity.
References:

Pucifoods. (2014, January 22). Destructive Fishing Prompts Marine Conservation on Malapascua Island.
Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://puccifoods.com/marine-conservation-philippines-destructive-
fishing-threatens-ecosystems-malapascua-
island/?fbclid=IwAR28AscUsPPbeORqNuNngQBgHrpu35C3sbMnQeuX8oqFmFJ6xqE0vdVHhy
A

Van der Graaf, A. (2018, March 07). The issues of solid waste management on small islands: Malapascua
Island Philippines as a case study. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from
https://escholarship.org/uc/item/00x770kv

Romanillos, P. (2014, August 24). Revised plan for Malapascua Island focuses on ecotourism. Retrieved
March 9, 2023, from https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/40370/revised-plan-for-malapascua-island-
focuses-on-
ecotourism?fbclid=IwAR3ajlX6iPHsWft4K7yILk4DiAbXOddS_eV4IMyTaZ2V5X3TkvKwAsvL3e
w

Miranda, P. (2018, September 3). Malapascua in Cebu is the next victim of our waste mismanagement
problem. Retrieved March 9, 2023, from https://nolisoli.ph/48306/malapascua-waste-problem-
pmiranda-20180903/

Malapascua Island. (2023, February 5). Retrieved March 9, 2023, from

https://malapascuaisland.com/about-malapascua/