Features IPOPCORM Study Tours IPOPCORM Profile and Coverage IPOPCORM Philosophy, Change Theory and Hypothesis Philippines CRM Framework and Entry Points for PopHealth IPOPCORM Components & Strategic Interventions IPOPCORM Site Overlap Marine Conservation Priority Areas Network of Marine Protected Areas in Bohol Sea Bohol - Priority Marine Conservation Area The Rewards of Innovation: A Review of the Successful Piloting of the IPOPCORM Project (Hermann, 2004) 2004 BMS Report and Trend Analysis for IPOPCORM Mainstreaming RH & ICM in Local Governance: The Philippines Experience Integrated Population & CRM: A Cross Sectoral Model for Food Security Enabling Community Based Health Systems through the IPOPCORM Initiative Policy Reforms in Local Governance: The IPOPCORM Initiative's Experience

Philippine Enterprise for Social Opportunities (PESO), Inc.
A Developmental Tourism Venture

Starting in 2006, PATH Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PFPI) is launching the Philippine Enterprise for Social Opportunities (PESO), Inc. - a partner organization that specializes in "development tourism" and collaborates with local NGOs and self-help communities dedicated to the protection and conservation of important marine ecosystems and “hotspots” in coastal Philippines [link to “Philippines Hotspots”].

PESO will tailor adventure trips, marine expeditions and study tours for small and large groups of travelers, students and professionals who are interested in observing and contributing to marine biodiversity conservation efforts that are managed and implemented by the very communities that rely on coastal ecosystems for food and livelihood. Our guests will have the opportunity to dialogue with community leaders and indigenous peoples, and to participate in community-based coastal resource management (CB-CRM) activities such as mangrove reforestation, coral reef monitoring, seagrass assessment, seaweed farming, coastal clean-ups and other hands-on activities as well as whale watching, dugong (sea cow) spotting and dolphin watching expeditions, population-environment fiestas and social marketing events.

Other tours will feature diving, snorkeling and kayaking expeditions to one or more of the 32 Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) supported by the project in the Bohol Sea. [link to map here] Eco-tourism and venture tourism sites include some of the Philippines' highest priority areas for marine conservation including the world-renown marine protected areas in Apo Island, Bohol, Siquijor, Camiguin, Gilutongan (Central Visayas) and El Nido, the Calamianes and Cuyo island groups located in the “last frontier” of Northern Palawan; as well as mangrove protected areas in Cogtong Bay – located in the renowned Bohol Marine Triangle, and Galoc Island – located in Culion Island formerly the largest leper colony in SE Asia. Still other tours will provide occasions for development professionals and students to gain first-hand information about IPOPCORM’s philosophy of development and its synergist approach to poverty alleviation and biodiversity conservation.

All proceeds from PESO's adventure tours and study programs are invested back into coastal communities and peoples' organizations in the form of technical assistance, marketing support and micro-credit for eco-tourism development initiatives. In this way, responsible tourists can help to reinforce the environmental stewardship and self-help efforts of Filipino communities that otherwise lack access to the information, technology and markets to support such efforts.

The first organized study tour will be available in April 2006 for groups of 10-20 persons. Individualized tours are also available to smaller groups or individuals upon request. Individuals and groups are encouraged to secure their own travel insurance in the event of cancellation prior to departure.

By patronizing PESO, our clients also contribute to the sustainability of the IPOPCORM Initiative, which is the largest ongoing population-environment project in the Philippines and the SE Asia region. Until now, IPOPCORM has relied heavily on donations from international donor organizations to mobilize and empower communities to meet their own development needs. By 2008 it is envisioned that profits generated by PESO will support 50% or more of IPOPCORM’s annual operating costs and the remainder will be financed by contributions from the communities themselves though a small portion will still be derived from domestic and international donor organizations.