Dinagat Islands aimed to become the ecotourism center of the Caraga Region, in which Lake Bababu is one of its outstanding sites. Promotion of its ecotourism with much consideration on its sustainable ecological conservation. Hence, this study focused on the economic valuation of Lake Bababu through a Contingent Valuation Method by determining the respondents’ Willingness To Pay (WTP) for the protection and conservation of the area. A dichotomous iterative approach was applied to get the maximum willingness to pay of the tourists. A total of 357 tourists were interviewed based on the 4,884 total visitors in the area in 2018. As a result, 55% expressed willingness to pay the bid amount to support the conservation of cultural and natural values of the lake and to further support the protection of the undisturbed nature of the lake. Through regression analysis, the bid amount was found to have significantly influenced the tourists’ WTP. The income variable of the respondents came out as one of the factors that influenced the tourist’s WTP. The mean WTP was calculated at approximately Php 51.00. Thus, the total recreational benefits of Lake Bababu is amounting to Php 249,084 as what the tourists do want the next generations to enjoy. It is therefore recommended to the management of the area to increase the entrance fee from Php 30 to Php 51 for the conservation, protection, and sustainability of the area.

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.

Noise pollution is an issue for the environment in fast-growing and expanding countries. It is commonly created within many industrial buildings, but it can also be found in traffic on highways, trains, and airplanes. Road workers, such as traffic aids and street sweepers, are highly exposed to noise levels that endanger their hearing. This research project aimed to assess the level of noise pollution exposure among TMC traffic aids and street sweepers, as well as the effects on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The time range set by National Pollution Control Commission (NPCC) included morning, daytime, evening, and night time where were adapted in measuring the noise level. Designated Two (2) sampling locations within Taganito Mining Corporation (TMC) where traffic aids and street sweepers are primarily stationed. Based on the results, when compared to Department Administrative Order 2000-98 (DAO 2000-98) or the Mine Safety and Health Standards, all the noise levels measured in the 2 stations were all below 90 dB. Thus, traffic aides and street sweepers of TMC within 8 hours’ exposure are within the permissible limit. Unwanted noise mainly from heavy equipment such as bulldozer trucks, dump trucks, loaders, excavators, water trucks, and garbage trucks, as well as public transportation vehicles such as ambulances, buses, vans, and motorbikes are observable. Thus, it is recommended that further research to the community area will be carried out.

The study determined the composition, abundance, and distribution of phytoplankton in Lake Mainit. Plankton samples were collected in eight sampling stations four times in 2018. A total of 26 phytoplankton taxa in four groups – Bacillariophyceae/Myxophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Cyanophyceae and Euglenophyceae were identified. Aulacoseira was ranked as the most abundant taxa, followed by Zygnema, Fragilaria, Trichodesmium, and Ulothrix. ANOVA revealed no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the number of phytoplankton between the eight stations during the first sampling. In the second sampling, Bunga showed a significantly (P < 0.05) lower number of phytoplankton than the other stations. The third sampling also showed no significant (P < 0.05) difference in the number of phytoplankton between stations. During the fourth sampling, Tagbuyawan had by far (P < 0.05) the highest number of phytoplankton. Species diversity (H’) of phytoplankton was stable at Magticao, Jaliobong, Dinarawan, Kalinawan, and Bunga. The dominance of some species (Aulacoseira, Fragilaria, and Zygnema) affected the diversity and distribution of plankton. Spectrophotometric readings recorded an average Chl-a of 0.75 µg/L. The lake was still considered oligotrophic. Remediation measures and further studies on the lake towards the primary variation of plankton are recommended. Management efforts should be strengthened to support the sustainability of life in the lake.

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.