Rationale
• Ecotourism a significant tool for economic and
sustainable development of the country
• Environmentally – sustainable
• Economically – viable
• Socially – equitable
• Promote and safeguard ecotourism sites in the
Philippines
• Enhance livelihood opportunities to local young
entrepreneurs
Statement from
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
”Sapagkat tayong mga Pilipino ay pala-ngiti, at mahilig bumati, at magsabi ng Mabuhay sa
ating mga bisita, gumawa na tayo ng Grassroots Entreprenuers for Eco tourism, o GREET program.
“Marami tayong mga kabataan na gusto maging explorers, guides, trailblazers. Through this
fund, we will realize their dream of coming up with brochures and websites that will generate
interest in undiscovered treasures that dot our beautiful land.
God has gifted us with spectacular nature sites that we don’t have to build multistory
buildings to draw in tourists. And there is a big tourism market that sojourns to areas unspoiled by
commercial development.
And Donsol na kakabisita ko ay sample lang. Marami pang mga Donsol, mga Boracay at mga
Siargao, mga El Nido, sa Pilipinas. Sa ganitong magagandang lugar, isang payong lamang, isang
bangka, isang kubo maganda na. Yan ang ating competitive advantage. Other countries may have
infrastructure muscle, but good and rich as they are they can’t craft synthetic sunset or artificial
marble sand.
Thus, I am asking Eco Tourism warriors to step forward so that together we can realize your
dream and together we can conquer the world”.
Program Description
• CONCEPT
GREET is a mass-based special pioneering
project of Pres Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in her
genuine
concern
to
extend
livelihood
opportunities to young entrepreneurs. Aimed at
developing and promoting ecotourism sites in
the Philippines, it is under the stewardship of
Tourism Secretary Joseph Ace Durano’s
“Tourism with a Heart – Turismo Para Sa
Pilipino” campaign.
Program Description
•NATURE
–Blocks of Php 50,000 to Php 100,000 worth of grants
depending on extent of proposed viability of project
•DURATION
December 2006 – December 2007
–Submission of Proposals: February to August 30, 2007
–Evaluation: ongoing
–Awarding: December 2007
–FUND SOURCES
–DOT TLA
Target Goals
Employment generation
Livelihood creation
Balanced ecology & environmental protection
Promotion and marketing of ecotourism sites
as potential tourist destinations
Tourism development
Primary Objective
To develop the GREET Program as an effective
socio-economic mechanism responsive in
forging balanced ecotourism environment and
preserving cultural heritage thereby resulting to
favorable improvement in community and
national economy.
Secondary Objectives
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Encourage small & medium entrepreneurships in key ecotourism sites that explore local ingenuity and creativity using
local materials and employ local talents;
Develop pioneering industries that would spur economic
growth and sustain the maintenance of eco-tourism sites;
Provide seed/start-up capital to aspiring young entrepreneurs;
Create favorable business environment and positive attitude
by educating the community to be responsive entrepreneurs
who will safeguard the management of eco-tourism sites;
Promote the development of products that will satisfy visitors’
needs while positioning the Philippines as a globally
competitive ecotourism destination.
Background
What is Ecotourism?
Ecological Tourism or Ecotourism according to
the World Tourism Organization (WTO) can be
defined as: “all forms of tourism in which the
tourists’ main motivation is the observation and
appreciation of nature, that contribute to the
conservation of, and that generate minimal impacts
on the natural environment and cultural heritage”.
Ecotourism in the
Philippines
The Philippines
 Regarded as one of the top 25 biodiversity hotspots in the
world in view of high percentage of endemic plants and animals
 Has the 2nd largest reef in the world, Apo Reef, next to
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef
 The Philippines is the center of the center of marine fish
biodiversity and the home of the most diverse marine
ecosystem in the world, a recent study by American biologists
Kent Carpenter and Victor Springer revealed.
 98% of the country’s reef are threatened; 70% of the mangroves
have been lost to fish ponds.
 As an example of peak diversity and endemism, there is ample
justification to prioritize the Philippines for conservation.
The National Ecotourism
Steering Committee
(NESC)
Executive Order No. 11 created the National Ecotourism Steering
Committee (NESC) and called for the formulation of the National
Ecotourism Strategy and implementation programs and activities of the
National Ecotourism Development Council (NEDC).
Implement development strategies based on the following pillars:
Sustainable management of natural & cultural resources
– Environmental education and conservation awareness
– Empowerment of local communities
– Development of products that will position the Philippines as
globally competitive ecotourism destination
The NESC is composed of DOT, DENR, DTI, Dept of Finance, DepEd, NEDA
and representatives of private sector and NGOs. Current Chairman is DOT
Secretart Joseph Durano.
Philippines Ecotourism Tour
Packages
3D/2N WHALESHARK INTERACTION TOUR
Rate: As low as P4,820 or US$ 96 per person
Inclusions:
Aircon transportation for transfers; Breakfast; 2
Days Whaleshark Interaction Tour; 1 Night
Resort accommodation in Donsol (twin-sharing
aircon); 1 Night Inn accommodation in Legazpi
City on Day 2.( twin-sharing aircon); 3 Days Tour
guide Services (DOT Registered)
Philippines Ecotourism
Tour Packages
Eco-Cultural Tour of Lake Sebu
Overnight Tour Rate (Group) : P1,800.00 or US$36/ person
Inclusions:
Food, Local Transportation, Accommodation and Tour Guide
Sights: Lake Sebu, Punta Isla Resort, T’boli Museum, Sta. Cruz
Mission School, School for Indigenous Knowledge and
Traditions (SIKAT), Lonon Falls, Lantaw Marbel
Other countries’ Ecotourism Tour
Packages
Maldives Scuba Tours
9D/ 8N Liveaboard
Costa Rica
8D/7N
$3295 per person
Single Supplement $500
£1850 per person + taxes
Mexico Whaleshark Tour
Full Day: US$220/person.
Program
Mechanics
MECHANICS
APPLICATION
 Fill out application forms
available from the DOT Regional
Offices, Municipal offices or
download from website
(www.wowpinoy.net/greet).
 Prepare Business Plan for
proposed project.
SUBMISSION
 Submit Application Form and
Business Proposal to DOT Regional
Office for Initial Screening (technical
requirements).
 DOT Regional Offices to submit
applications to GREET Secretariat.
 GREET Secretariat to turn over
applications to Evaluation &
Judging Committee for evaluation.
MECHANICS
EVALUATION
 Evaluation Team will screen all
applications for merits according to
criteria.
- Final Evaluation will be done by
GREET Evaluation Committee with
approval by Secretary Joseph
Durano.
AWARDING
Selected business proposals will
be awarded the amount or its
equivalent in equipment
approved by GREET Evaluation
Committee.
 GREET Grant Awarding (official
ceremonies) with Pres. GMA as
Guest of Honor.
WHO CAN APPLY
INDIVIDUALS
–
–
–
–
–
Filipino, aged 18 yrs old & above
Bonafide residents of eco-tourism sites
At least high school graduate
Must be of good moral character
Preferably a member of community organizations based in
town or region where eco-tourism site is located
ORGANIZATIONS
- Community organizations and business associations based and operating
where eco-tourism site is located and duly accredited by local government;
- Demonstrated successful of programs for community and have developed
network of key stakeholders and partners; and
-
Must manifest functionality
HOW TO APPLY
• How to Apply
 Secure application forms available at Municipal
Offices,
Dept of Tourism Regional Offices or
download from the website (www.wowpinoy.net/greet)
 Option to attend GREET orientation program
 Submit business proposals to GREET Secretariat
(c/o PCVC Travel Trade Sales) via snail mail or e-mail
to greet@dotpcvc.gov.ph
• Deadline of Submission: Extended until August 30, 2007
Application Form
Criteria for Evaluation
Point Rating System*
Originality, uniqueness, creativity
20 pts
Viability of implementation & projections
20 pts
Economic Impact & job creation
20 pts
Promotion of natural & cultural preservation
20 pts
Growth potentials
20 pts
TOTAL
*Selection will be based on highest points garnered.
100 pts
Eligible Activities
•
Tourism Products
– Operation of new services
(tour guiding, interaction guding, ground handling, etc.)
– Operation of new activities
(whitewater rafting, hiking, canopy walk, surfing, diving, watersports, etc.)
• Tourism Establishments
-
Accommodation Facilities (homestay program, camping, etc)
Food & Beverage Facilities
Souvenir shops selling local produced products
Gears & Equipment Shops
• Tourism Related Services
– Handicraft Training
- Rescue and Medical services
- Published Materials: Guidebooks, Maps, Websites
Grant Terms & Conditions
• Successful Applicants will be required to enter a legal
agreement with DOT which will include:
– Milestones, deliverables and performance measures
– Project Budget
– Project Management
– Mode and schedule of grant releases
– Accountability Framework
– Communication Strategies
– Contract default and termination clauses with
associated remedies
– Monitoring and reporting
Grant Terms & Conditions
• Project will be required to acknowledge the GREET
program. Prominent inclusion of GREET logo on all
promotional materials and store/establishment banners;
• GREET Program Committee reserves the right:
- to reproduce, use, publish and distribute any intellectual
property that has arisen out of the project to help promote
the program; and
- to recover funds based on non-performance of contractual
agreement;
• Resources and expenditures will be reviewed on regular
basis;
• Progress Reports by the grantee will be required every 6
months.
Grants Facility
• All grant recipients would be given capacity
building, environment stewardship and
sustainable development seminars to aid in
managing their ecotourism business
• Releasing of Grants
– 50% upon approval
– Balance to be remitted on schedule
determined by Regional Office
MONITORING
The DOT Regional Offices will monitor the
businesses, evaluate the level of implementation
and identify the gaps in the implementation. A status
report will be submitted to the GREET Executive
Committee bi-annually.
GREET
WORK
PROGRAM
GREET TASK FORCE
CHAIRMAN
Sec. Joseph Durano
CO- CHAIRMAN
Usec. Eduardo Jarque, Jr.
VICE-CHAIRMEN
Usec. Oscar Palabyab
ED Daniel Corpuz
SECRETARIAT
Susan del Mundo
ADMINISTRATIVE
TECHNICAL
Central Info & Coordination
LEGAL
Dir Evelyn Cajigal
EVALUATION & JUDGING
Dir. Victoria Jasmin
Dir. Alan Canizal
Dir. Elizabeth Nelle
Publicity
FINANCE
Dir Grace Yoro
SCREENING & MONITORING
Regional Directors
Special Events
Awarding
Support Services
Criteria in Prioritization of Ecotourism
Sites
Rich in natural & cultural attractions
Authentic & unique features
Special interest activities &
educational experience for the
visitors
Accessible
Relatively comfortable facilities e.g.
lodging accommodation, places to
eat, water supply, etc.
Major Eco-tourism Sites
North Luzon
South Luzon
Major Eco-tourism Sites
Visayas
Mindanao
Effective Communication
Approach
•Logo and slogan/tagline logo
•Flyers/Brochures/Posters/Banners
•Road Show Presentation to 4 key Ecotourism sites
•Radio / Media launch
•Publicity Releases
•Website / web links
•Email blasts / online forums & groups
Efficient Marketing &
Promotion Activities
• Public relations and publicity
• Media invitational program
• Special interest tour operators’ familiarization trips
• Special and/or multi-sports events such as surfing
competition, expedition, white water rafting race,
canoeing race, and competitions to reinforce the
image.
• Special interest tour packages to be developed by
tour operators. Initiate a $1 donation as
“conservation fee” per tourist to contribute in
sustaining the program in bringing back the benefits
to the community.
Roadshow: Schedule
Leyte – Samar
April 19 – 20
Butuan – Cagayan de
Oro – Davao – Lake
Sebu
Banaue – Tuguegarao
April 30 – May 5
Iloilo / Bacolod
May 28 – 30
Bohol – Dumaguete
June 4 – 7
South Luzon (Tagaytay)
June 14
May 21 – 25
PRELIMINARY
GRANT RECIPIENTS
(SOUTH LUZON LAUNCH)
• Mr. Lamberto Avisado, Jr.: River Cruiser & Canteen (Ugong
River)
• The River Cruiser and canteen is a floating structure, boat style of a
catamaran with walls and roofs made of nipa and bamboo structures. It
will cater to tourists to the River Cruise and Fireflies watching tours at
the Quipin River and Ogod River.
• Donsol Boat Associatio: Butanding Boat Services
Improvement
• Physical improvement of service boats used for providing better service
to Donsol tourists. Will include boat repainting and improvements on
boat ladders, seats, and top flooring as well as provision of life rings and
life jackets.
• Mr. Allan Amanse & Ms. Theresa Bernacer: Butanding T-Shirt
and Souvenir Shop
• Souvenir Shop will sell T-shirts designed with environmental messages
highlighting Whaleshark conservation, souvenir items and fashion
accessories with designs or woodcarvings of Whalesharks.
Incentives & Recognition
Outstanding Grant Recipients will be
given incentives and recognition
during the GREET Program
Entrepreneurship Awards or the
DOT Kalakbay Awards.
Grassroots Entrepreneurs for EcoTourism
Alay ng Pangulo… Turismo Para sa Filipino!