Globe-Pusod, Inc. partnership boosts Taal ecotourism

In 2012, Pusod tapped Globe for the use of ICT to enhance implementation of the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL) Management Plan designed to ensure the economic and environmental sustainability of the Taal Lake ecosystem which covers 13 municipalities and 3 cities in Batangas and Cavite.

One of the key programs implemented by Globe and Pusod to address the area’s environmental issues is the promotion of ecotourism which gives a low-impact alternative to commercial tourism.  This not only helps protect the environment but also provides livelihood to communities around the lake.

With Pusod and Globe working together, the Pusod Taal Lake Conservation Center (TLCC) has increased earnings by 1400% from P40,000 upon its establishment in 2011 to P600,000 in 2015. It now provides sustainable livelihood opportunities to the local communities surrounding the Taal Volcano Protected Landscape (TVPL).  The earnings came from various sustainable tourism initiatives such as Knowledge Tours, Kayak rentals, and sales from honey, coffee, and vinegar.

Partnership Highlights

Since 2012, Globe:

• Established a monitoring system involving 5,000 fisherfolks of the Kilusan ng Maliliit na Mangingisda ng Lawa ng Taal through the TxtConnect facility for the E-Governance Program.   TxtConnect, a web-based platform that enables them to broadcast messages critical to the implementation of the TVPL Management Plan.
• Paved the way for mobile financial services to reach almost fisher folk communities across the 13 municipalities and 3 cities in Batangas and Cavite under the TVPL by distributing 5,000 SIM cards with discounted call and SMS rates.
• Improved productivity of 276 households in Barangay Calawit, Balete, Batangas with the provision of solar lams through the Stiftung Solarenergie collaboration
• Helped provide employment for 131 community-based tour guides, boat operators, horse guides and hospitality practitioners for the Sustainable Tourism Program
• Sparked citizens’ and employees’ participation through the Boat Building Activities and Knowledge Tours

Quotes from Fernando Esguerra, Director, Globe Citizenship

“Globe creates positive societal impact by fostering connectivity for families, businesses, and the nation, providing jobs across our value chain and by developing partnerships that support sustainable livelihood and conservation as part of our sustainability strategies.”

Quotes from Ann Hazel Javier, Executive Director, Pusod, Inc.

“Together with Globe, our work entails us to work with communities and tell them more about the ecosystem where they are and to eventually help them to protect it and create enterprises around them.”

“We started with the eco-tourism program.  We have built capacities for the people in the volcano island, the tour guides and the boat guides, our local caterer and the community volunteers.  Their main motivation is really to help conserve and protect the ecosystem.”

“As an organization, we hope to connect humans to nature and vice versa.”

“Aside from the conservation work, we work a lot with communities and we see the need of the communities to have economic activities so that they can participate in the conservation activities as well.”

Quotes from Atty. Ipat Luna – Executive Trustee and Founding Member – Pusod, Inc.

“Lakes take a long time to respond to conservation measures.  Those that are still connected deeply with the livelihood that the lake provides are less and less reliant on it. It prompted us to take action because a lot of people really depend on the lake for livelihood.”

“The goals of all protected areas should be sustainable development, preserving the characteristics and the life forms in an ecosystem.”

“The only way we can really save the lake is if they take pride in it:  I live in a protected area source of pride.”

About Pusod, Inc.

Pusod is an environmental non-profit organization which works with small fisher folk communities in Batangas and Cavite to conserve ecosystems and empower them through environment education and sustainable enterprises.

It is a member of Taal Volcano Protected Landscape Protected Area Management Board.

It established the Taal Lake Conservation Center (TLCC) in Sitio Lipute, Barangay Kinalaglagan, Mataasnakahoy, Batangas which is the central knowledge hub of the TVPL.

It operates the Taal Ecotourism Program which highlights the Taal Knowledge Tour.

Tour Experience:

Briefing on the lake region; eruption history of the volcano

Boat Ride from TLCC to Calauit, Balete on Volcano Island and back

Horse Ride or Trek to the crater view deck with local tour guides

Snacks and lunch of Batangas fusion cuisine and local refreshments

Conservation contribution

Boat Sailing

Kayak

Stand Up Paddle Board

About the Art Exhibit

Photos of the TAAL Ecosystem will be displayed at the Globe Art Gallery from August 3 to 31. Photos were taken by Globe Employee Volunteers (DRMHWS)

Entitled “Pusod:  Ang Pagkakaisa ng Pamayanan at Kalikasan”, the photo exhibit will give you a glimpse of the Taal community through endearing snapshots of the scenic views of Taal Volcano and Lake, as well as its natural beauty.  Proceeds of the exhibit will support Pusod’s conservation work in TVPL.



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