Contingent Valuation Study for Selected Beach Areas in San Francisco, Surigao Del Norte for its Environmental Conservation

Abstract

Beaches are one of the tourist attractions in many countries; it views as an ecosystem that would create benefits due to its scenic beauty. Diaz Beach and Banbanon Pebble Beach are commonly known tourist spots in the municipality of Anao-aon, hence, these two are the chosen study area that was conducted as it meets the standards of our research that aimed to evaluate the maintenance and conservational status. To some extent, implementation of Willingness to Pay and Willingness to Accept a branch of the Contingent Valuation Method serve as requisite that individuals need to indicate their preferences for environmental assets, or to alternate in a resourceful status. Beachgoers are targeted to determine their amount of WTP and WTA, such that their perceptions are a key to assessing the factors for beach usage. The researchers adopted a survey questionnaire that determined their willingness to pay (WTP) for the beach environmental maintenance, conservation, and willingness to accept (WTA) in reducing plastic wastes particularly cellophane and bottles, and the pre-determined factors affecting their preference in using the beach. The proposed entrance fee (20php) that served as biddings of promoting sustainable usage and development was rejected. On the other hand, in Willingness to Accept, the highest preferred amount for the price of cellophane is Php 4.00 while for the plastic bottle is Php 6.00. Thus, the outcome of WTA was inevitable to create potential environmental services and maintenance. The compensation of cellophane and plastic bottle is a good factor in implementing rules and regulations at its essential aspect of promoting sustainable usage and development for the present and future generations.