EMBRACING TOURISM SUSTAINABILITY: INTEGRATING HYDROPOWER IN

BARANGAY GUPITAN

CAPSTONE RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

Submitted by:
CANALES, MIKE NERYLL R.
DONTON, BEATRICE JOY C.
ESTEBAN, JOSHUA JAY B.
EXALA, GABRIEL JONES C.
HERNANDEZ, ATHENA RASHAE C.
SABELLAGA, MICHAEL ERIK S.
SAMEON, CARYLLE JENSEN M.
ZOLINA, CHRISTIAN JAMES L.

Submitted to:
Mrs. Emmalou Shane F. Estrada, CoE
Research Project Adviser

January, 2024
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Table of Contents

Rationale 3

Introduction 4

Statement of the Problem 5

Scope and Delimitation of the Study 6

Significance of the Study 9

Conceptual Framework 10

Definition of Terms 10

References 11

Appendixes 11
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Rationale

The research addresses how tourism sustainability has become a critical

global concern as destinations grapple with the dual challenge of fostering

economic growth and preserving their natural and cultural resources. Barangay

Gupitan has a population of 17, 878 as determined by the 2020 Census. This

represented 22.05% of the total population of the Municipality of Kapalong. Few

tourism sites can be spotted here such as Tagtugonan and Matol Falls. Barangay

Gupitan, situated in a region with abundant water resources, presents a unique

opportunity for the integration of hydropower as a sustainable and reliable

source of electricity. The presence of streams and waterfalls provides an ideal

setting for the development of hydropower projects. Harnessing these water

resources for electricity generation aligns with the principles of sustainable

development, as it utilizes a renewable and locally available energy source.

Moreover, the development of hydropower projects not only generates

clean and renewable energy but also creates job opportunities, spurring local

economic growth. Integrating hydropower also indicates transition towards

energy independence which aligns with global efforts to combat climate change

and promotes environmental sustainability. A well-planned integration of

hydropower can also incorporate cultural preservation efforts, emphasizing the

importance of maintaining local traditions and heritage.

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Additionally, the interest in sustainable tourism development and

hydropower is growing. Yet, according to our knowledge, only a limited number

of studies combining those two areas exist, and the holistic model for sustainable

tourism development incorporating hydropower has not been introduced. Our

study aims to integrate hydropower in Gupitan to address not only the

immediate energy needs of the community but also cater global environmental

goals while fostering economic growth and cultural preservation.

Introduction

Tourism industry is the lifeblood of many developing economies across the

globe, and India is a hotspot of diverse cultural heritage and a beautiful natural

landscape that has emerged as an attractive tourism destination recently.

However, the global challenges of greenhouse gas emission have been acting as

a detriment in sustainable tourism-led economic growth (Bandyopadhyay, et al.

2022).

In this case, using hydropower is a great option. It's a cost-effective way

to generate energy and it offers unique opportunities to have cost-efficient

tourism sector management. This finding implies that countries can make their

tourism more sustainable by replacing fossil fuels with hydropower. It's also a

positive step to fight against climate change and pollution. (Abdul-Rahim et al.,

2021).
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In Europe, researchers recognize the manifold invaluable attributes of

hydropower, affirming it as an eco-friendly resource that preserves the natural

environment. Positioned as a superior alternative to conventional heat energy,

hydropower emerges as a cost-efficient energy source, presenting distinct

opportunities for effectively managing the tourism sector in the centers of the

European Union (EU 27) region. The study underscores the potential for

achieving sustainability in the EU27 tourism sector by replacing fossil fuel output

with hydropower, the strategy not only addresses climate change and

environmental pollution but also fosters long-term security in both the tourism

and energy sectors (Alsaleh et al., 2022).

Moreover, given the vast renewable hydropower potential of South Asian

countries, namely, Bhutan and Nepal, development of hydropower and cross-

border interconnections have the potential for the four countries to improve

energy supplies, promote navigation, alleviate floods and encourage connectivity,

and add significantly to socio-economic development. Improved regional

cooperation can benefit the millions of people in the region who live in extreme

poverty and whose lives can be improved with initiatives that support economic

growth (Dhakal et al., 2019).

Furthermore, using purposive sampling and mixed methods design, 168

individuals from municipalities of Aurora province positively implied on the use of

renewable resources, specifically hydroelectric power as a source of electricity,

ecosystem protection, pollution control, and the concept of reduction, reuse, and
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recycling. Locals have positive attitudes toward conservation as they believed

that there is an established system for conservation and initiated conservation

practices (Libero et al., 2022).

Statement of the Problem

The main objective of this study is to integrate hydropower in Barangay

Gupitan, Kapalong, Davao del Norte for a sustainable development. Aside from

the main objective, this study wants to address the following:

1. What are the technical challenges associated with implementing

hydropower systems in Barangay Gupitan, such as infrastructure

compatibility, maintenance requirements, and the availability of suitable

water resources?

2. Why does the integration of hydropower pose a challenge in sustaining

tourism development?

3. How can potential environmental impacts, such as habitat disruption or

water quality degradation, be addressed and mitigated during the

construction and operation of hydropower facilities in Barangay Gupitan?

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

The study aims to embrace tourism sustainability integrating hydropower

in Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong Davao del Norte. This plan will encompass
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various facets of sustainable tourism, including environmental, social, and

economic considerations. The scope of the study includes:

1. Environmental Sustainability:

 Assessment of the current environmental impact of tourism in the

urban district.

 Identification of eco-friendly practices and initiatives to minimize

the ecological footprint.

 Integration of green infrastructure and conservation strategies.

2. Social Sustainability:

 Evaluation of the social and cultural impacts of tourism on local

communities.

 Inclusion of measures to promote cultural preservation and

community engagement.

 Development of strategies to ensure that tourism benefits are

equitably distributed among residents.

3. Economic Sustainability:

 Analysis of the economic contributions of tourism to the urban

district.
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 Formulation of plans to enhance economic opportunities for local

businesses and residents.

 Consideration of sustainable tourism practices that contribute to

long-term economic viability.

4. Tourist Experience Enhancement:

 Improvement of visitor experiences through the identification of

key attractions and activities.

 Integration of technology for enhanced visitor information and

engagement.

 Creation of a positive and memorable experience for tourists while

respecting the local culture and environment.

5. Policy and Regulation Recommendations:

 Examination of existing policies and regulations related to tourism

in the urban district.

Delimitation of the Study: While this study aims to embrace tourism

sustainability integrating hydropower in the district, certain limitations will be

acknowledged:

1. Geographical Limitation:

 The study will focus specifically on Barangay Gupitan and

recommendations may not be directly applicable to other locations.

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2. Resource Constraints:

 Limited financial and time resources may constrain the depth of the

study and the implementation of proposed initiatives.

3. Dynamic Nature of Tourism:

 The tourism industry is subject to change, and the study may not

account for unforeseen developments or global events that could

impact tourism trends.

By defining the scope and delimitations, this study sets clear expectations for the

extent of the research and acknowledges the constraints within which the

sustainable tourism integrating hydropower will be developed.

Significance of the Study

This experimental research study explored Barangay Gupitan, Kapalong,

Davao del Norte to shift from being merely a form of amusement to evolving into

a substantial contributor to a country's economic wealth that has repercussions

reach beyond financial gains. Its influence extends to cultural, intellectual, and

artistic dimensions, shaping societies in profound ways. However, there is a

noticeable absence of well-defined strategic policies when it comes to conserving

and using historical heritage for the development of Barangay Gupitan. For

various pertinent reasons, an experimental approach is significant and beneficial.

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Since the setting focuses in the sustainable tourism development of Barangay

Gupitan, specifically tourist spots within Gupitan, this study is significant:

To the Local Tourism in the Philippines, that this may be useful in providing

goods or services for Barangay Gupitan to facilitate business, pleasure and

leisure activities away from the home environment;

To the economy, that this may become a basis for the people to give insights

about the level of economic activities to increase the conservation of the tourist

spots and the tourists’ arrival of Barangay Gupitan;

To the local citizens, that this study may encourage and motivate the citizens

to expand their learnings about conservation and economic strategies beneficial

for Barangay Gupitan; and

To the Future Researchers, this may serve as a reference for other researcher

who might be conducting future studies related to creating a sustainable tourism

plan for Gupitan.

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Conceptual Framework

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

a) community
a) community a) hydropower
participation
engagement infrastructure
b) environmental
b) technical b) economic
impact
expertise benefits
assessment
c) natural c) environmental
c) engineering
resources preservation
design
d) regulatory
compliance

Definition of Terms

It will be important to define essential technical terminologies frequently

used in this study. Moreover, this portion provides the definitions to accustom

the readers to the concepts of the inquiry.

Integrate. Means to form, coordinate, or blend into a functioning or unified

whole, to incorporate into a larger unit, or to unite with something else. (Merriam

Webster, 2024).

Tourism. A social, cultural and economic phenomenon which entails the

movement of people to countries or places outside their usual environment for

personal or business/professional purposes (UN Tourism Glossary).

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Hydropower. One of the oldest and largest sources of renewable energy, which

uses the natural flow of moving water to generate electricity (Department of

Energy).

Sustainable. Refers to the use of natural resources that is kept at a steady level

and is not likely to damage the environment (Collins Dictionary, 2024).

Tourism development. Tourism development is the process of establishing

and maintaining a tourism industry in a particular location. At its most

fundamental level, tourism development can be defined as the process of

developing strategies and plans to increase/develop/encourage tourism in a

particular destination (Ramos et al, 2022).

References

References

Abdul-Rahim, A. S., & Alsaleh, M. (2021). Moving toward sustainable

environment: The effects of hydropower industry on water quality in EU

economies. Energy & Environment, 33(7), 1304–1325.

https://doi.org/10.1177/0958305X211039452

Alsaleh, M., Yang, Z., Chen, T., & Abdul-Rahim, A. S. (2022, December 25).

Unveiling the linkage between hydropower growth and tourism

sustainability in EU27 region: An empirical analysis .

https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2477
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Bandyopadhyay, A., Rej, S., & Abassi, K. R. (2022, June 29). Nexus between

tourism, hydropower, and CO2 emissions in India: Fresh insights from

ARDL and cumulative fourier frequency domain causality - Environment,

development and sustainability. SpringerLink.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-022-02511-3

Definition of integrate. (2024, January 11). Merriam-Webster: America's Most

Trusted Dictionary.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/integrate

"Hydropower". (n.d.). Department of Energy. https://www.energy.gov/?

fbclid=IwAR13BCb8o5qx6MZJU5yHOTaOJT4-

hGEqElHVccc6OH6ARDUmOfBPu0uwXJg

Libero, G. A., Gabriel, A. G., Cuya-Antonio, O. M., Ramos, V. B., & Fronda, J. G.

(2022). Sustainable Environment and the Impact of Ecotourism in Aurora

Province in the Philippines. international Journal of Ecosystems & Ecology

Sciences, 2022, Vol 12, Issue 4, p101. https://openurl.ebsco.com/EPDB

%3Agcd%3A15%3A1301887/detailv2?sid=ebsco%3Aplink

%3Ascholar&id=ebsco%3Agcd%3A160230437&crl=c

Ramos, C. M., Quinteiro, S., & Goncalves, A. R. (2022). ICT as innovator

between tourism and culture. IGI Global: International Academic

Publisher. https://www.igi-global.com/book/ict-innovator-between-

tourism-culture/268286

"Sustainable". (n.d.). Collins Dictionary.

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/sustainable?
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fbclid=IwAR0lKX88LqZOA62QuHy83hClPS6ID9yu8pcHPYWM7yRkXICeo90

w9c0nGS0

Tortajada, C., & Molden, D. J. (2021, March 4). Hydropower as a catalyst for

regional cooperation in South Asia. International Journal of Water

Resources Development.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/07900627.2021.1887558

"Tourism". (n.d.). UN Tourism | Bringing the world closer.

https://www.unwto.org/glossary-tourism-terms?

fbclid=IwAR2LtyWSyLmM1rWGqrn0xy6xIAJK21k4LeccypH5NpAJ7So-

ESFHDt0INAQ

Appendixes

Project Proposal Documentation