The CHED-funded project TAKLOBO TOURS: Conservation and Livelihood Opportunities for Coastal Communities in the Island Garden City of Samal displays the value of local and national collaboration towards achieving a common goal.
The project has its roots with the privilege given to Davao del Norte State College (DNSC) to manage the Marine Reserve Park and Multi-purpose Hatchery located at Barangay Adecor, Kaputian District, in the Island Garden City of Samal (IGACoS).
Having entered into a partnership with the University of the Philippines-Marine Science Institute (UP-MSI) for the Giant Clam Stock Enhancement Program in 2001, DNSC saw the beginning of various local and national collaborations.
The collaboration is saddled with a common goal―protect the more than 3,000 giant clams of six species spreading all over the 14-hectare sea. Most notable of these species is the biggest among the giant clams, the Tridacna gigas. Other species found in the area are T. squamosa, T. derasa, T. maxima, T. crocea (the boring clam) and Hippopus hippopus.
The giant clams, locally known as “Taklobo”, are the largest living bivalves (Tridacnidae) which size can reach up to 1.5 meters. These are solar animals that need the sun to grow, survive, and thrive. Most of them prefer to live in shallow waters particularly in the coral reef areas (kagasangan) that makes them vulnerable to poaching and exploitation. Unfortunately, their population is already depleted and greatly reduced in the wild.
To save the giant clams, the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) included them in the list of endangered species. Towards the promotion of this advocacy, the Philippine Government passed Republic Act 8550, otherwise known as the Philippine Fisheries Code.
Despite the ban on taking, selling and eating giant clams, as provided for by the law, most of the coastal communities in Region 11 still commit the said prohibited acts, hence the need for an intensive conservation advocacy.
In response to the call for conservation and increasing interest among locals and international tourists on giant clams, DNSC implemented the community-based “Taklobo Tours Project.”
The project was done in partnership with LGU-IGACOS, BLGU-Adecor and Adecor United Fisherfolk Organization ((AdUFOr). This commenced in February 2013 with the aim of promoting biodiversity conservation, enhancing eco-tourism, building capacity and providing livelihood. Its immediate beneficiaries were the fisherfolks who serve as local tour guides and conservation advocates.
The project features the Marine Reserve Park, preferably called by tourists as “Giant Clam Sanctuary” to highlight the indispensable role of marine protected areas (MPA) in giant clam conservation.
The “Taklobo Tours” project also aims to educate communities and tourists about policies, rules and regulations of giant clam’s conservation as endangered species.
Taklobo Tours offers tourists a one-of-a kind underwater adventure that they will never forget. This includes swimming with the giants. To experience this, one must take the 2-hour tour (including travel time) from Sta. Ana Wharf in Davao City, or just a 5-7 minute boat ride from Barangay Adecor to the Marine Reserve Park.
Assisted by local guides, tourists, in an hour of snorkeling, enjoy viewing closely the spectacular beauty of endangered species piled like cabbage plantation under the crystal clear sea water. They are also privileged to see the panoramic view of the nearby Pearl Farm Beach Resort, an international tourist destination.
All of the amazing experiences is worth only P75.00 (for the entrance fee), but this will go a long way in helping save the endangered species.
The project further promotes the beautiful Island Garden City of Samal. Recently recognized as one of the emerging and highly recommended tourist destinations and a “Pride of the Island,” its panoramic view has gained much attention among local and international tourists as shown by regular tour visits, media coverage, and internet blogs.
In September 2014, after 19 months of operation, the project has earned an income of Php 598,310.00 from entrance fees, souvenirs and rentals. A total of 6,962 local and international guests have visited the project site with an average of 348 guests/month, but records more during peak months, particularly during summer.
The flocking of guests and visitors also provides local communities with an income of not less than Php 348,100 from ancillary services (boats and motorcycles). The project’s income is used to defray expenses for the services rendered by local tour guides, fisherfolk organization running the tours and for project sustainability.
This community-based project is strongly complemented by two CHED-funded projects: Tourism Growth Areas and Save-Our-Shores (SOS): Giant Clam Propagation Project with the common goal of increasing advocacy and improving tourism facilities. With these, it is expected that the tourism activity and conservation efforts will speed up in the coming years and in turn bring more income to the local communities.
As an economic activity, the project involves different sectors, and is viewed by local communities as an opportunity, but unavoidably, a threat by some. Because of this, constant monitoring and project re-planning are regularly conducted through a Governing Board and Technical Working Group as sustainability mechanism.
The remarkable journey of Taklobo Tours, as a conservation, tourism and livelihood project was made possible through years of continued support across leadership of DNSC and the strong partnership with local governments and communities.
The Taklobo Tours Project was awarded as 3rd Best Development Paper during the National Symposium on Agriculture and Aquatic Resources Research and Development (NSAARRD) on October 28, 2014 at the Elvira O. Tan Hall, PCAARRD Headquarters, Los Baños, Laguna.
Initiated by the Los Baños-based PCAARRD, the NSAARRD recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and organizations in uplifting the state of research and development in the country, particularly in the agriculture, aquatic, and natural resources sectors.
Recognition focuses on the research and development outputs that fuel the Council to address its task in providing science-based know-how and tools that will enable the agricultural and aquatic sectors to raise productivity to world-class standards.