A Proposed Master Development Plan for Conservation-Based Ecotourism at Tikub Lake, Tiaong, Quezon

Abstract

Rapid tourism growth, expanding settlements, and resource-based livelihoods are exerting increasing pressure on many small freshwater landscapes in the Philippines. In sensitive crater-lake environments, even modest disturbances can trigger water-quality decline, shoreline erosion, habitat loss, and long-term ecological imbalance. These conditions underscore the need for planning approaches that safeguard natural systems while supporting local economic opportunities. This study responds to that challenge by examining the environmental, spatial, and governance conditions affecting Tikub Lake and formulating a conservation-based Master Development Plan (MDP) that aligns ecotourism development with ecological protection. The research evaluates the lake’s physical characteristics, land use patterns, stakeholder perspectives, and management issues to determine the requirements for a sustainable development framework. It also assesses existing zoning provisions, aquaculture practices, visitor behavior, and infrastructure gaps that influence the lake’s carrying capacity. The proposed MDP consolidates these findings into a structured set of planning strategies that include: (1) a spatial framework composed of a conservation core, protected shoreline strip, and ecotourism support zones; (2) refined land use and zoning designations to regulate development intensity; (3) access and circulation systems that minimize slope disturbance and manage visitor flows; and (4) facility planning standards for sanitation, waste management, trails, viewing areas, community markets, and low-impact eco-lodges. Together, these components create an integrated approach that strengthens environmental safeguards while enabling small-scale, community-driven ecotourism that is both economically viable and ecologically responsible.