Economic Valuation of Mangroves in Tawi-Tawi Islands, Southern Philippines: A Market Price and Contingent Valuation Approach

Abstract

This study focused on the economic valuation of mangroves in the province of Tawi-Tawi in Southern Philippines. Mangroves are recognized as a provider of a variety of products and essential ecosystem services that contribute significantly to the livelihood of local communities. However, mangroves forests in the area are being neglected as an important ecological function and service apart from providing goods to the communities. Mangroves are being harvested with not as much knowledge on how to protect, restore and conserve for the future’s well-being. The study calculates the economic value of mangroves present in the area through estimation of Total Economic Value (TEV) using market price and contingent valuation method technique. The TEV will help identify and quantify the contribution of mangrove ecosystem services to the population in the Tawi-Tawi Islands. The study used Willingness to Pay (WTP) to calculate the Non-Use Value (NUV), specifically, Bequest Value to gather the people’s willingness to pay for a hypothetical proposed project that will help conserve, preserve and protect the mangroves in their area using climate change scenario. The Total Economic Value (TEV) of mangroves in Tawi-Tawi are computed using local market price surveyed from the 50 respondents who are directly linked to the livelihoods of the mangrove forest system. Here, the estimated Total Economic Value (TEV) of mangrove benefit was identified. Market prices, replacement costs, benefits transfer value, and cost-benefit analyses have been used for value determination and comparison. The results showed that the TEV per year of mangroves in Tawi-Tawi, Philippines is ranging from 36,255,856 USD/year to 53,353,223 USD/year or 3,216 USD/year per hectare to 4,733 USD/year per hectare. The highest value contribution derived from the indirect use value (89.92%), whereas willingness to pay (WTP) results showed that high level of WTP at PHP 992 or 19.84 USD per household which indicates that the communities are willing to make spending for the proposed project to protect the mangroves in their area. Nonetheless, with the number of respondents who are unwilling to pay, efforts should be carefully considered to promote sustainable projects which can benefit the local people as well as the mangrove forest system. The local government unit should reflect into local awareness about climate change issues, whereas, the importance of mangroves should be enhanced to get the local communities involved in mangrove conservation and protection increase knowledge and trust at the household level. Finally, further research to explore the socio-demographic roles of the mangroves in the area to the local communities is recommended.