THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

The Cultural Valuation of Arroceros Forest Park in Manila as

a Tool for Sustainability

A Research Paper Presented to the

Senior High School

University of Santo Tomas

In Partial Fulfillment

Of the Requirements of the Learning Area in

Inquiries, Investigations, & Immersion

by

BAUTISTA, Allesa Carmela C.

DUQUE, Mari Stella M.

GAY, Josiah James G.

MONCERA, Marianne Mae A.

SANTOS, Hannah Gabrielle G.

VILLAMIEL, Grace L.

12 ABM – 1
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

We would like to thank the Arroceros Forest Park’s (AFP) management and

administration for allowing us to visit, examine, and collect data about the forest park. They

have been so accommodating and open about AFP’s current situation and we greatly

appreciate their help and passion to raise awareness for AFP.

The same gratitude goes out to the officials of Intramuros’ Palacio del Gobernador for

allowing us to look for qualified foreign respondents and conduct our survey around the site.

They have also been of great help for the study and we wouldn’t have successfully

accomplished the rest if it wasn’t for their kind consent and participation.

We also give great gratitude and acknowledgement to our beloved thesis adviser and

UST Senior High School instructor, Mr. Zosimo O. Membrebe Jr., with a Master of Arts

(M.A.) in Economics from University of Santo Tomas, for being the inspiration for this study

and its purpose. His help, guidance, and support steered us into the right direction and is

reflected in this study. We are gratefully indebted for his valuable inputs and shared

knowledge for this research.

We would also like to acknowledge our loving parents, who have been so supportive with

our study – allowing us to come home late during those days of writing chapters and

conducting surveys far from home, providing us with more than enough for all the

photocopies, printing of papers, fare, and motivation needed when doing the research.

Lastly, we give our greatest thanks to the Man above, our God, for giving us strength and

wisdom to continue this study even through the toughest of times – all for pure and good

intentions. His love and protection kept us safe in our journey - leading us to where we are

supposed to be and what we are supposed to be doing.

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THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

ABSTRACT

Arroceros Forest Park (AFP), an urban forest park owned by the government, is the only

forest park that continues to exist in Manila and has been threatened to be demolished, as the

government sees no benefits coming from the park. This study establishes AFP’s cultural

value and its relationship with its environmental aspect through a descriptive statistical

analysis. Evaluation and insight are gathered on AFP’s cultural value and sustainability from

a diversified perspective, more specifically from foreign tourists around the study site which

is Intramuros, Manila. The researchers utilized a questionnaire for the study and made use of

an online survey. Furthermore, the study gives support to the respondent’s perspective with a

video montage showing the inside and outside look of AFP as it is today. Upon data

gathering, descriptive statistics is utilized as its statistical technique to analyze. The answers

given by respondents are categorized through thematic coding, segregating it for standard

analyzation. The study concludes AFP as culturally valuable with the respondents’

attestation. A mean of 96.86% claims particular on AFP becoming an avenue for Philippines’

culture. Furthermore, factors that influence that claims for conservation include cleanliness

and AFP as the last urban forest park in Manila which rises its sentiment. The preservation of

AFP is determined in accordance to the respondents’ willingness to pay, leading to a 62.5%

rate. It is recommended that AFP improves its maintenance with the help of its

administration, implement the set motivational factors mentioned in the study, and undergo

comprehensive assessment to reach a network of tourists. Finally, proper protocols to be

established are of big help and sustenance must be observed.

Keywords: cultural valuation, forest conservation, sustainability, thematic coding

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION Page

1.1 Abstract 2

1.2 Problem Rationale 4

1.3 Objectives of the Study 5

1.4 Statement of the Problems 6

1.5 Research Impediments 6

1.6 Definition of Terms 7

2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Theoretical Framework 8

2.2 Ecological Sustainability 9

2.3 Ecotourism 12

2.4 Cultural Sustainability 15

2.5 Conceptual Framework 18

3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design 20

3.2 Sampling Design 21

3.3 Subject and Study Site 21

3.4 Instrumentation 23

3.5 Data Gathering Procedure 24

3.6 Mode of Analysis 25

3.7 Ethical Consideration 26

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4.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

4.1 Demographics of Respondents 27

4.2 The Cultural Valuation of Arroceros Forest
Park in Manila as Tool for Sustainability 30

4.3 Thematic Coding 35

5.0 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION

AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary 37

5.2 Conclusion 38

5.3 Recommendation 39

REFERENCES 42

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Problem Rationale

Studies concerning the impact of forest parks to the ecological, anthropological,

social, cultural, and economic aspects of a community are widely accessible across various

libraries and the bountiful online network. However, should an individual search the library

and the world wide web, said person will never find a study which engages in the cultural

valuation of a forest park- the Arroceros Forest Park (AFP), with the data derived from

foreign respondents.

At the heart of Manila, a contaminated concrete jungle, lies Arroceros Forest Park

(AFP), a 2.2-hectare urban forest park owned by the government which currently inhabits

over 8,000 plants, 10 different bird species and 60 native tree varieties (Subingsubing,

2017). The park serves as a recreational space where local residents and tourists can enjoy

the lush greenery and fresh air as a great diversion from the pollution and traffic congestion,

the picture-perfect image of Manila.

The urban park held various grounds across Philippine history. It was once a

marketplace in the 17th century operated by Chinese merchants who sold rice “arroz”, hence

the name Arroceros (Roces, 2007). Come 19th century, men and women were provided with

jobs subsequently after the space transitioned into the home of Manila’s tobacco factory and

warehouses. When the Americans took authority over the Filipinos, the colonizers used the

space as a military garrison (Alcazaren, 2017).

As much as the AFP depends on the visitor arrivals of city residents and tourists to

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maintain its sustainability as a running forest park, Manila also depends on the AFP as it is

recognized as Manila’s last remaining urban forest park and the city’s “last lung” (Roces,

2007).

Although the current state is threatening as it is, further bad maintenance of the AFP

pushes the local government of Manila to implement a school gymnasium on its very

location. Because of this, it’s only a matter of time when Manila will be deprived of its only

natural ecosystem (Bandila, 2018).

The researchers verified if AFP can be considered as one of the tourist sites found in

the city of Manila, Philippines or not, and why it is or is not considered as such.

Determining this would be a key factor in promoting the forest park’s sustainability and

preservation. The study also aimed to identify the real relationship between culture, AFP,

and sustainability, and if and how one affects the other. Establishing AFP’s cultural value

and finding its relationship with its environmental aspect is quite a challenge, given that

there are not many sources about the said urban forest. With that being said, this study

unraveled the reasons, if any, on why the AFP is deemed to be not so popular to foreign

tourists and why it’s worth to be preserved as a cultural avenue.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

• Administered an assessment of an urban forest park’s contribution in providing

sustainable development in the field of tourism.

• Determined the factors affecting the willingness to pay of foreign tourists for the

conservation of the urban forest.

• Identified the connection between economic and environmental aspects in

administering cultural sustainability.

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1.3 Statement of the Problems

In further determining the significance of the Arroceros Forest Park to discern

whether this urban forest is still at a value to be conserved, the questions that follow may

gave guidance to observing into the importance of the AFP to the country.

• How does the cultural aspect conform to the environmental, economic, and

social aspect in the setting of an urban forest park?

• How do urban forest parks contribute in sustainable tourism?

• How does an urban forest park contribute to a country’s cultural sustainability?

• What factors observed by the foreign tourists strengthens necessity of AFP’s

conservation?

1.4 Research Impediments

The study determined whether AFP is culturally meritorious to be advocated for

sustainability, protection, and preservation as compared to the establishment of commercial

infrastructure (such as condominiums) on the exact emplacement of the urban forest park.

Culture must be deemed to have equal importance with social, economic, and ecological

sustainability, hence the focus on AFP’s cultural valuation (Soini, 2016).

Though being labeled as “Manila’s Lastast Lung”, this study did not assess the entire

city of Manila. Ermita, Manila, where AFP is located, was the area focused on by this

research, as well as the locations where the target respondents were found.

With the aspiration of evaluating and knowing the insights about AFP’s cultural value

and sustainability from a diversified perspective, the target respondents are foreign tourists

around the study site. With this, the data to be gathered is limited only to those respondents

near the urban forest park, regardless if they have entered the urban forest park or not, in

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order to upraise different views and insights on the cultural valuation and preservation of

AFP.

1.7 Definition of Terms

1. Cultural Sustainability – pertains to culture as the mediator to be able to achieve the

other 3 pillars of sustainability; stresses that tangible and intangible cultural assets are

vital and should be considered for economic development and ecological sustainability

(Soini, 2016).

2. Urban Forest – It is an ecological place that promotes residence’s wellbeing and a

community’s capacity to cater a healthy environmental lifestyle. (Stolton and Dudley,

2015)

3. Ecotourism - is a form of tourism that continues to increase throughout the years.

Ecotourism promotes a way in travelling that does not degenerate the environmental

health of one place, contributing positively to both the environmental and socio-cultural

aspects. (Engelhardt, 2005)

4. Sustainable Development – Economic enhancement that meets the needs of the present

generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.

(Robertson, 1999)

5. Tourist Area Life Cycle Theory – demonstrates and analyzes 6 distinct stages

(exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and post-stagnation)

of a tourist destination according to its evolution over time. (Butler, 2018)

6. Cultural Valuation - It is a “processual activity of meaning- making”, rather than

something constructed to generate monetary value. (Pröpper and Haupts 2014,

Winthrop 2014, Schnegg et al. 2014, as cited by Fraser et al. 2016).

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CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

2.1 Theoretical Framework

Tourist Area Life Cycle Concept Theory

As cited in Bojanic (2005), the tourist area life cycle theory demonstrates and analyzes

6 distinct stages (exploration, involvement, development, consolidation, stagnation, and

post-stagnation) of a tourist destination according to its evolution over time.

In the 1st stage: exploration stage, allocentrics or the adventurous tourists dare to visit a

site with only limited public facilities. These allocentrics are usually brought into the

destination because of its natural physical feature.

The 2nd stage: involvement stage, an acute interaction between the locals and tourists

are seen which results to the provision basic services accommodated by the community.

For the 3rd stage: development stage, it is the final stage where the consistent growth of

visitor arrivals is detected. Added tourist facilities and the development of promotional

efforts are noticeable at this stage.

With tourism being one of the leading industries and major components of an economy

and in the world, well-promoted business is established. But then comes the 4th stage, which

is the consolidation stage, wherein the growth rate of visitor arrivals decreases. This only

means that a destination adjusts according to their quota or objectives, such as extending the

tourist season.

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This leads to the 5th stage: the stagnation stage, wherein tourists keep coming and

capacity levels are reached. The destination is in good shape and becomes well-established,

yet not as popular as before. The facilities begin to wear away and shift.

And lastly, the 6th and final stage, post-stagnation. This is where a tourist area or

destination faces the possibility of resurgence or downturn, based from the changes in tourist

arrivals. The results rely upon the destination’s capability to find itself a place in the market

or elevate its spot (Bojanic, 2005).

Ecological Benefits

Chapter 2.2 Ecological Sustainability

A responsible socioeconomic system is founded on clean water, clean air, and clean and

fertile land. A society that can’t produce said resources will limit its probability of achieving

sustainability. Correspondingly, a sustainable economy is founded on ecological

sustainability as it provides continuous generation of energy, material, and environmental

resources. In the absence of a sustainable ecological system, an economic system is bound to

fail. In the same way, human species, as they are, is also centrally dependent on the

generation of ecosystem services. Ecological sustainability, in definition, is where human

needs are met while ecosystems are kept in its most healthy condition. Environmental

sustainability, on the other hand, is a mere subset of sustainable ecology. (Morelli, 2011).

Chapter 2.2.1 Ecosystems

According to Frumkin (as cited in Maffi & Rapport, 2009), EDS also known as

environmental distress syndrome, were the signs identified in ecosystems impairment.

It is incontestable that the health of the earth’s ecosystems is in a deteriorating

condition. All the recent environmental assessments had provided abundant documentation

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that has validated the alarming declination of life sustainability of the ecosystems. (Maffi &

Rapport, 2009). Several studies had provided evidentiary support that strengthens the

claim of the rapid relapse of ecological systems as a resultant of human activities on earth.

According to Maffi & Rapport (2009, p.2), anthropogenic stress is one of the primary factors

that contributes in the dysfunctionalities and breakdown of the ecosphere. It is inarguable

that humans have a substantive reliance on the environment for survival purposes. However,

environmental utilization had already surpassed its maximum invoking a natural resource

imbalance.

Preserving the health of ecosystems are mandatory in order to acquire quality natural

resource that is beneficial and necessary to sustain life (Li, Xuo & Guo, 2014). Sustainable

ecological services are derived from a properly functioning and healthy ecosystems. Thus,

maintaining these systems is an imperative response that is expected from the benefactors in

pursuance of furthering its functionality and beneficial contributions. Conservation is highly

advised to be practiced as well as proper observance to properly adapt to the demands of its

maintenance.

According to Stolton & Dudley (2015), in most parts of the world, landscapes have been

transformed by agriculture or industry, and protected areas may be the only natural

ecosystems remaining for large areas. The wider socioeconomic and cultural values of these

natural ecosystems are being recognized, as important ecosystem services provided by these,

until it has been taken for granted resulting to its values being simply forgotten or unnoticed.

In Alcazaren’s article “Saving Arroceros [forest park]”, Mabanta (2017) stated that, “Green

spaces are important for a city. They reduce the urban heat island effect and air pollution,

support biodiversity and environmental protection, and are essential for flood prevention.

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green spaces are important for people. They are enjoyable places and it is healthy to see and

be in green.”

Economic Benefits

Chapter 2.3 Ecotourism

According to Rosenfeld (2008), tourism is widely recognized for both its tangible and

intangible outcomes. This pertains to job opportunities, revenues, and even the quality of

life. It may be built upon a wide variety of attractions, including various kinds of tourism,

such as cultural and heritage tourism, destination tourism, recreation, and more.

According to Engelhardt’s study (2005), the Ecotourism Society (1992) defined

ecotourism as “purposeful travel to natural areas to understand the cultural and natural

history of the environment, taking care not to alter the integrity of the ecosystem, while

producing economic opportunities that make the conservation of natural resources

financially beneficial to local citizens.” While the Australian National Ecotourism Strategy

(1995) defines ecotourism as “tourism that involves education and interpretation of the

natural and cultural environment and is managed to be ecologically sustainable.”

According to UNESCO, being a form of the largest single industry in the world,

ecotourism could help preserve and develop national culture by also promoting cultural

tourism as a tool for the preservation and enhancement of a society’s culture, its physical

and intangible heritage, and its environment (Engelhardt, 2005).

Chapter 2.3.1 Sustainable Development

According to Caroll and Stanfield’s study (2001), Richard Douthwaite (1999, 157)

pointed out that there are twenty-two definitions of sustainable development in the

environmental text Blueprint for a Green Economy by Pearce et al. (1989) alone. Be that as

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it may, there is a generally acceptable core definition for sustainable development.

Sustainable development is loosely defined as economic enhancement that meets the needs

of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet

their needs (Robertson 1999, 1). Any social entity as mentioned is built from individuals

interacting within a cultural environment. This means that the self must adapt; otherwise the

individual loses touch with reality and is unable to integrate itself within possibility. This

continual adaptation is facilitated by a consistent cultural and institutional structure. (Caroll

and Stanfield, 2014).

The preservation of Arroceros forest park for protection of culture and tourism

contributes greatly to the cultural heritage site’s sustainable development. Sustainable

development, as provided by tourism, is defined by both catering the economic

sustainability and welfare of local citizens without deteriorating natural resources. In

accordance to Section 37 under Presidential Decree No. 705 of the state law, extended

efforts shall be imposed for the conservation of forest resources as park to retain its true

value. Sisman (1994) asserts that to achieve sustainability that would provide long-term

advantages to the cultural heritage site, locals should exercise good environmental practice

and support profitable businesses, jointly. Section 56 of Presidential Decree No. 705 states

that forest areas that have the capability to become a place of tourism could be transformed

to further appeal tourists, wherein the income generated through tourism could assist in the

preservation and improvement of the forest area, and to the culture it holds.

Cater (1994) proposes a method for further preservation of the place, at which point

tourists visiting cultural heritage sites are to be charged foreign visitor fees to expectantly

subside the tourist site from mass tourism to avoid chaos and mismanagement of the park.

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Sustainable development of the Arroceros Forest Park may be achieved through (1)

tourism, as the income generated from tourist fees help in sustaining the forest park’s

features, also through (2) concerned citizens that help in conserving the cultural heritage

site’s identity, and by (3) providing tourists businesses that would all benefit the

environment, government, owner, locals, and tourists.

Social Benefits

Before we are able to link social and cultural sustainability of urban parks, we must first

straighten out their definitions. As mentioned by Kroeber & Parsons (1958) in Duran (2012),

culture is passed down. It is a transmitted set of values, patterns, ideas, emotions and

systems that shapes the human behavior. Culture also touches different aspects, according to

the works of Schusky and Culbert (1973) and Thaman (2002), culture has (1) an aesthetic

and artistic aspect: fine arts, music, pop culture, performing arts, etc. (2) A mind and

spiritual cultivation aspect, which includes knowledge, beliefs, religions and the likes. And

lastly, (3) an anthropological aspect which pertains to the way of living and the social facet

of human behavior. According to Throsby (1999) in Lähtinen and Myllyviita (2015),

Cultural sustainability affects people’s choices and behavior. Cultural sustainability also

concerns the propagation of culture’s characteristics: being passed down from generation to

generation, its ability to improve or evolve with time, its potential to become extinct if not

taken care of, and its flexibility that allows for the creation of diverse cultures which gives

identity to a specific place.

On the other hand, as explained in Chui (2004), the social sustainability aspect concerns

three things: (1) social norms and limitations. Munro (1995) explained that development has

to observe social relations, customs, structure and value in order to allow for social

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sustainability to happen. Otherwise, if these social norms and limitations have been

breached, it will fail due to people’s resistance. (2) The ecological sustainability, which

elaborates the rules and values that determines the distribution and allocation of natural

resources within generations (Mitlin and Satterthwaite, 1996). (3) And finally, social

sustainability’s people-oriented inclination. It aims to improve, and not just maintain, the

state and well- being of the people now and in the future (Borrini-Feyerabend and Buchan,

1997; Pugh, 1996).

According to Miao & Miao (2017), an urban park is a built environment that offers

recreation and an area where humans can communicate and share culture. It also contributes

to the regulation of micro- environment and maintenance of eco-balance in a city. An urban

park can also be beneficial to people’s health (as it has been regarded to as the biggest

ecological patch and lung of a city), and the quality of their day-to-day practices or living for

it links together science, art, ecology, and culture in one place.

Now that we have established cultural and social sustainability’s distinctive attributes,

we can now discuss how it links to one another in the setting of a built environment.

Sustainability used to involve only the environmental and the ecological sustainability.

However, as the idea started to develop more and more, cultural, social, and economic

sustainability were incorporated. In fact, these dimensions of sustainability are inter-linked.

But we put our focus on Cultural and Social Sustainability as they work hand-in-hand. This

is because Culture can affect the social structure, value, life style and impact of human

activities towards the environment. A culture that places importance in the environment

would emphasize the protection of green spaces and parks. This relationship also becomes

more intimate with the improvement of people’s well-being. Because of its availability to

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the public or its “open” nature, a park allows for people to interact resulting to stronger

community bonds and relations thus, improving the quality of life. In the words of

Brundtland (1987) as mentioned in Chui (2004), “perceived needs are socially and culturally

determined, and sustainable development requires the promotion of values that encourage

consumption standards that are within the bounds of the ecological possible and to which all

can reasonably aspire.”

Cultural Benefits

Chapter 2.4 Cultural Sustainability

Cultural Sustainability, which was previously nothing more than a component under

Social Sustainability, is now referred to as a singular component of its own, having of the

same relevance with its corresponding sustainability concerns (environmental, economic,

and social). Through vital safeguarding of tangible and intangible cultural heritage assets, a

society can be possibly met with cultural sustainability; wherein tangible cultural heritage

encompasses architectural structures, writings, and works of art, while intangible cultural

heritage encompasses tradition, oral literature and languages. Although cultural

sustainability is now regarded as the fourth pillar between the sustainable development

concepts, researches or initiatives still use insufficient references concerning cultural

sustainability even when such projects deal directly on the conservation of cultural artifacts.

Institutions such as museums and libraries, although being involved exactly in sustaining

culture, are assessed upon its social, economic, and environmental sustainability, in contrary

of being assessed upon its intrinsic cultural value (Blasco López, Recuero Virto, & Garcia-

Madariaga, 2018).

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Integrating culture in the discourse of sustainability is imperative due to the reason that

reaching sustainability goals depend greatly on human accounts such as behavior and

actions which are embodied culturally. In the concept of sustainable development, the 3

proposed representations of culture are as follows: 1st representation, called culture in

sustainability, acknowledges culture as the fourth pillar of sustainability. It deems culture as

of equal importance with the social, economic, and ecological sustainability; wherein the

relevance of preservation and protection of cultural capital in particular models such as

heritage, arts, cultural diversity, and knowledge for succeeding generations are recognized.

The 2nd representation pertains to culture as the mediator to be able to achieve the other

3 pillars of sustainability. This representation indicates culture for sustainability. It stresses

that tangible and intangible cultural assets are vital and should be considered for economic

development and ecological sustainability. Culture as sustainability, being the 3rd

representation of culture, indicates the superiority of the dimension of cultural sustainability

in accordance with the other 3 pillars. It develops into an overarching dimension, enclosing

the other pillars. This magnifies that sustainability eventually becomes impacted in culture

“and leads to eco-cultural civilization” (Soini, 2016).

Chapter 2.4.1 Cultural Valuation of Forest Conservation

Over the last two decades, the cultural valuation of biodiversity has captured on

improved significance as the ecosystem services framework has been adopted. To define,

cultural valuation fundamentally differs from economic valuation. It is more of a

“processual activity of meaning- making”, rather than something constructed to generate

monetary value (Pröpper and Haupts 2014, Winthrop 2014, Schnegg et al. 2014, as cited by

Fraser et al. 2016).

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The understanding of bio cultural relationships by which cultural values shape tropical

forest diversity is now getting more recognition for the conservation of both biodiversity and

cultural heritage, may it be tangible or intangible (Gavin et al. 2015, as cited by Fraser et al.

2016). With the growing industries and high standard demands of communities, it is

important not to compromise cultural conservation and values, as well as balance socio-

cultural needs with economic gains (Nasser, 2003, as cited by Rosenfeld, 2008).

Cultural and historical values found within protected areas are also of immense

importance, although hard to define. Just the same as iconic buildings, writers, musicians

and sports teams can embody the heart and soul of a nation, so too can special views,

landscapes or wild species (Stolton et al. 2015).

Chapter 2.4.2 Environmental and Cultural Connection

The impact of culture with regards to sustainable resource management is poorly

acknowledged. (Ballesté, Martorell & Caballero, 2006) There is an underlying ignorance of

the connection between culture and environment. These two factors are often overlooked

and deemed as separate. However, achieving global sustainability requires an individual to

comprehend the correlation between ecological and cultural disruption (Maffi & Rapport,

2009). The dramatic losses in the ecological aspect have the tendency to create an impact on

the cultural maintenance and diversity. According to Harmon (as cited in (Maffi & Rapport,

2009), this composes a converging extinction crisis in the aspect of natural and cultural

multiplicity. Environmental damage has the capacity to modify a community’s way of living

thus creating alteration to their way of living or culture. The interconnected changes have

profound implications in both human activities and ecosystem operations.

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Chapter 2.5 Conceptual Framework

Grounded from Soini and Dessein’s article (2016), the conceptual framework

utilized is rooted from Culture-Sustainability relation. This tackles the challenge of

combining culture and sustainability in an analytical framework to frame and conceptualize

culture [in its different meanings] in sustainability. An interdisciplinary framework is built,

relating culture and sustainability, basing on three roles or representations of culture.

Acknowledging the limitations of the “pillar approach” to sustainability, it is used as a basis

for the framework analysis, since it is a widely used approach to sustainability. Although

given three representations, only one of them is most suitable for the study. That would be

the second representation: Culture for Sustainability. This model refers to culture having a

mediating role in achieving economic, social, and ecological sustainability. It implies that

cultural values are essential when aiming for ecological sustainability. The light grey circles

are the three pillars (economic, ecological, social) and the dark grey circle is culture. The

table above summarizes the eight dimensions for this model.

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Definition of culture Culture as a way of life

Culture and Culture as a resource and condition for
development development
Value of culture Instrumental and intrinsic
Culture and society Affording
Culture and nature Interaction of culture and nature
Policy sectors Overall policies
Modes of Governance Co-governance, 2nd order
Research approach Multi- and interdisciplinary

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CHAPTER III

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Research Design

Descriptive Statistics describe the basic features of data in a study. It provides a much

simpler summary on measures and samples, forming the basis of quantitative analysis of

data with the use of graphical analysis.

This research design was the most fitting approach towards measuring the impact of

the demographics, ecological, economic, and social pillars of the respondents to the

respondent’s cultural valuation, given that the researchers were to find the value of the

participants’ cultural valuation of AFP. This had been determined as the data gathered from

the survey was reduced into a simpler summary by presenting the quantitative data of the

research more manageably.

The percentages of the results are presented through charts, graphs, or tables. Together

with this, the factors affecting their valuation of the urban forest park were categorized

based on four pillars mentioned above. Their reasons explained their willingness to pay and

determined their cultural valuation for the urban forest park, which became meaning-making

rather than aiming to produce monetary value (Pröpper and Haupts 2014, Winthrop 2014,

Schnegg et al. 2014, as cited by Fraser et al. 2016) as the researchers went about the

assessment and ascertaining what caused the respondents to participate in AFP’s

preservation. For an in-depth and more comprehensive information regarding this

matter, please proceed to the instrumentation.

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3.2 Sampling Design

The research’s sampling design was purposive sampling procedure. Purposive

Sampling is a nonprobability sample that entails to carefully select qualified respondents

that are part of a society with common characteristic. The common characteristic can be

logically assumed to be a representative of the population. (Lavrakas 2008). The qualifying

questions were experience related and demographic questions. The researchers had

qualifying questions to ensure that the respondents are foreign tourist within Intramuros,

Manila.

The target respondents of this research were composed of approximately 30-50 foreign

tourists that have forest parks in their own country to provide knowledgeable verity. The

reason for selecting respondents that were foreigners with forest parks in their respective

origin was that the fundamental processes underlying human experiences of places are

consistent across people and places. It was the content of these processes and their emphases

that varied in important and identifiable ways from one person to another, and from one

place to another. (Canter 1983) Gathering these benefitted the aimed body of knowledge that

the study had targeted. The thoughts of multi-sited ethnography openly negotiated

knowledge in ways that connect with the study. (Ryzewski 2011)

3.3 Subject and Study Site

As there was a conflict in finding respondents in the Arroceros Forest Park where it

lacks a number of visitors, the researchers had then chosen foreign tourists traveling around

Intramuros (see figure 3.2) as their sole respondents. The Arroceros Forest Park (see figure

3.1) is the only forest park that continues to exist in Manila and recently, it has been

threatened to be demolished in the future as the government sees no benefits coming from

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THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

the park. In a study conducted by Southworth et al. (2010) supports that forest parks inhabit

a huge percentage of land regardless the further development of cities into civilization in

other countries wherein a study was conducted to look into the Kibale Forest Park in Uganda

which focuses on how the country successfully continues to protect the area from

deforestation as their country continues to progress. Foreign tourists that reside in countries

that have multiple forest parks see the importance of these parks in their country, making

them as effective respondents for the said research in determining the significance of the

Arroceros Forest Park in the Philippines.

Map of Barangay 659 – With Map of Barangays 654, 656, 657,

Arroceros Forest Park map 658 and 659 – With Intramuros
created from GIS 12/1/2018 map and Arroceros Forest Park
created from GIS 12/1/2018

22
 THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

3.4 Instrumentation

The researchers utilized a questionnaire for the study. It included three (3) open-ended

questions and two (2) semi-structured about the tourist’s own sentiments, motivations, and

recommendations upon secondarily experiencing AFP. It also encompassed ten (10) binary

questions, answerable by Yes or No, based on their Option Value, Existence Value, and

Bequest Value for the urban forest park. It contained screener questions such as what their

nationality is, in order to confirm that they were foreigners, as well as how long they have

been staying in Manila to determine if they are considered as tourists, since the respondents

for the study were only foreign tourists. The standard operating procedure (SOP) was also

observed, which means that the questionnaire asked for the participant’s demographics such

as name, gender, age, nationality, monthly salary, and educational attainment. Two (2) rank

order questions were used to be able to determine the respondents’ current number and length

of stay to assess whether the researchers’ respondents were classified as foreign tourists. One

(1) question was used to apply the Contingent Value Method (Venkatachalam, 2004) to be

able to determine the respondent’s willingness to pay in regards to the rejuvenation of the

urban forest park.

The prepared questions were asked in the form of an interview. It is based from the

study of Membrebe et. al (2017), where formulated questions on Option Value, Existence

Value, and Bequest Value are seen as well. Since the study concentrates on AFP’s cultural

sustainability, it is only suitable that the questions tackle the participant’s valuation of culture

to the park, given that tourists travel to unfamiliar places to see something cultural,

historically significant or naturally beautiful, with experiencing the richness of the world in a

new way (Engelhardt, 2005).

23
 THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

Furthermore, the study made use of two video montages created by one of the

researchers, which showed the inside and outside look of AFP as it is today. Comprehensive

use of the videos will be explained in the Data Gathering Procedure.

3.5 Data Gathering Procedure

The researchers proceeded to Intramuros, Manila, wherein several foreign tourists in the

city were approached by the researchers to present a video preview about the walls of

Intramuros and AFP. After which, they were asked to visit AFP. If the respondent was willing

to experience AFP personally, the researchers will have conducted a tour inside the forest

park and proceeded to give out the survey questionnaires. Otherwise, the researchers will have

continued to show a more comprehensive video about AFP, followed by the giving of the

same survey questionnaires. These measures were conducted for the respondents to gather

information and compare factors that may have affected the area in its appeal to the people.

The respondent’s insights and perceptions of AFP after having viewed the video or visiting

AFP were the sole focus and content of the assessment. This was only done to those that gave

approval to the ethical considerations of this study.

s
rcher
Resea nduct
o
will c ur
a to
S
YE G
qu ive s
Approach Present a est ur
foreign tourist video Ask the tourist ion vey
around montage of if he/she is e nair
Intramuros, Intramuros willing to visit
Manila and AFP AFP personally

Researc
he
NO present rs will
a
compre more
hensive
video o
f AFP Give sur
ve
question y
naire

24
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

3.6 Mode of Analysis

Analysis of the findings was accomplished by using 2 of the Measures of Central

Tendency namely—the Arithmetic Mean and the Mode. Measures of Central Tendency are

used to provide a single value as representation of the collected data (Manikandan, 2011).

For summarizing the numerical data (respondents’ WTP), the researchers used the

Arithmetic Mean. According to Jankowski & Flannelly (2015), this Measure determines the

average of the total figures of a set. Henceforth, by calculating the Arithmetic Mean of the

respondents’ WTP, the researchers will be able to establish to what extent (in Peso) the

foreigners are motivated to preserve the AFP as a cultural landmark. In addition, the

researchers will be able to compare the foreigners’ WTP with the locals’ once the average has

been determined.

As for the three (3) open-ended and two (2) semi-structured questions, data analysis has

been yielded by finding the Mode between the 32 total responses for each of the five (5)

questions. The Mode was the significant value which occurred the most among a data set

(Manikandan, 2011). In this case, finding the Mode among respondents’ claims has led the

researchers in determining the most significant responses per question.

Furthermore, the researchers used the Contingent Valuation as a method to determine the

respondents’ willingness to pay. This approach was utilized as a tool to determine how much

a person was in favor for the rejuvenation of the Arroceros Forest Park. To conduct this

method, a binary question identifying the respondents WTP was assessed according to the

respondent’s specific corresponding demographic. Analysis of the data with the applied CVM

directed the researchers to what factors truly affected one’s willingness to protect and

25
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP
conserve Arroceros Forest Park.

In line with this, the researchers of this paper have chosen this particular statistical

technique as it will produce more accurate results in terms of determining whether or not the

respondents do value and recognize the cultural capacity and sustainability of the Arroceros

Forest Park. In application to the study at hand, a cross tabulation was drawn for each

question in order to pinpoint each of the response and its corresponding coded dependent

variable.

Equipped with better grasp of the cultural significance of the AFP, the researcher then

provided recommendations as to how the cultural value of such heritage/tourist sites are to be

sustained enough for them to attract more foreign visitors.

3.7 Ethical Considerations

As for the safety and confidentiality of the survey's participants, the following ethical

guidelines were established before the subjects' participation in the study:

● The researchers introduced themselves and provided contact information for future

inquiries and references to be made by the participants.

● The subjects were briefed about the study's purpose and objectives before taking

participation.

● The researchers have stated that the information they disclosed will not be available

to the public. Participants shall be notified beforehand that they will be recorded as

part of the study's survey. If needed by the researchers, permission must be

obtained before the tourists' real names can be used in the study.

● They are allowed to withdraw their participation any time.

26
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

This chapter is a depiction of the data gathered during the duration of the February 16,

2019 to March 11, 2019. The online survey conducted in Plaza Roma, Intramuros, Manila

was analyzed to yield a result that would be utilized to achieve the objectives and significance

of the study. A total of 37 respondents participated but the qualifying rate is only 68.75%. The

data answered whether there is a cultural value in Arroceros Forest Park that could be

exercised as tool for sustainability.

Chapter 4.1 – Demographics of Respondents

Within the data gathering period, the researchers had a total population of 37 respondents

which 32 are eligible to participate in the study. There are three (3) qualifications which needs

to be sufficed to be fitting as a respondent. These three qualifiers attested whether the

respondent was a foreign tourist and had the preliminary knowledge about the subject matter.

Table 1 - Respondent’s Demographics Characteristics

Demograp Categories Survey Fre Illustration
hic (%) qu
Variables enc
y

Gender Male 50% 16

Female 50% 16

27
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

4.1.1 GENDER DEMOGRAPHICS

As visualized by figure 4.1.1, 16 out of 32 are male which represents 50 % of the total

respondents while the remaining half (50%) are female.

4.1.2 NATIONALITY DEMOGRAPHICS

Asian 6.25% 2
European 68.75% 20
Nationality American 18.75% 6
(North and
South) 6.25% 2
Canadians

As illustrated by Figure 4.1.2.2 the nationality demographics 6.25% (2) of the

respondents are Asian, 68.75% (20) are European, 18.75% (6) are American, and the

remaining 6.25% (2) are Canadian.

The nationality demographics was necessary to be determined as this is one of the

qualifiers in order to participate in the study, as qualified respondents are to be foreign

tourists coming from different nationalities.

4.1.3 AGE RANGE DEMOGRAPHICS

From the illustration 4.1.3, it is found that 15.63% (5) of the respondents belongs to

respondents from 20 years old and below, 46.88% (15) for respondents from 21 to 30 years

old, 15.63% for respondents from 31 to 40 years old, 9.38% for respondents from 41 to 50

years old, while 12.50% (4) are respondents from 51 years old and above. Age demographics

28
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

of the respondents was determined as it measures whether this independent variable

(demographics - age range) affects the dependent variable (cultural valuation).

20 and below
21 to 30 15.63% 5
Age Range 31 to 40 46.88% 15
41 to 50 15.63% 5
51 and above 9.38% 3
12.50% 4

4.1.4 EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT DEMOGRAPHICS

Some High 3.13% 1

School
High School 3.13% 1
Graduate
Some College 25% 8
College
Educational Graduate 21.88% 7
Attainment Some Masters
Masters 12.50% 4|
Graduate
Post-Doctoral 31.25% 10
Graduate
3.13% 1

As shown by the figure 4.1.4, 25% (8) of the education attainment of the respondents are

some college, 21.88% (7) of them are college graduates, while 31.25% (10) of the

respondents are masters graduates, 12.50% (4) have attained some masters, 3.13% (1) have

attained some high school, another 3.13% (1) high school graduate, and the remaining

29
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

3.13% (1) is a post-doctoral graduate.

The educational attainment was measured to determine their academic standings that

could have an influence in the participation of the conservation of the urban forest.

4.1.5 EMPLOYMENT STATUS DEMOGRAPHICS

Student 28.13% 9
Employed 59.38% 19
Employment Student and 6.25% 2
Status Employed 6.25% 2
Unemployed

From the table 4.1.5, the student population of the respondents is 28.13% (9), while

59.38% (19) are employed, 6.25% (2) are unemployed, and 6.25% (2) are both a student and

an employed worker.

The employment status was asked by researchers of the study as to determine whether

their current status affects their action to help the park.

Having identified the respondent’s demographics, researchers had further discerned that

certain demographics of individual qualified respondents had affected their answers in the

given survey in accordance to their cultural valuation of the forest park.

4.2 The Cultural Valuation of Arroceros Forest Park in Manila as Tool for Sustainability

4.2.1 Identifying the connection between economic and environmental aspects in

administering cultural sustainability.

30
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

To adhere to the objective of the study “identifying the connection between economic

and environmental aspects in administering cultural sustainability”, general research

questions were established. The following survey questions are constructed based from the

first (how does the cultural aspect conform to the environmental, social, and economic

aspect in the setting of an urban forest park?) and third (how does an urban forest park

contribute to a country’s cultural sustainability?) research question of the study:

5. Do you find joy in immersing yourself with nature?

6. Are you willing to pay for AFP’s maintenance knowing that it is the only urban

forest left in Manila?

15. After having been informed about the cultural placement of AFP, do you think it

deserves to be upheld as a cultural avenue?

16. Do you think that the Arroceros Forest Park is worthy to be saved and

rejuvenated in further preserving the culture it holds?

For question number 5 under the survey’s Ecological division, the researchers were

able to conclude that 100% of the respondents (32) do find joy in immersing themselves with

nature. According to Miao & Miao (2017), not only do urban forest parks establish a better

quality of life by allowing citizens a place to commune and build relationships, rather, it also

becomes a commonplace for the cultivation of science, art, ecology, and culture. The 100%

approval entails that the forest parks previously visited by the respondents have successfully

established its positive influence upon them.

Consequently, for number 6, was concluded that 62.5 % (20) of the respondents

were willing to pay for AFP’s maintenance keeping in mind that it is the only urban forest

park in Manila. The later 37.5% (12) are in refusal. The total respondents’ willingness to

31
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

pay were calculated and the researchers were able to arrive at a mean value of ₱1,354.86

($26). In retrospect, financial assistance (potentially of the like) adhered for the conservation

of natural areas is beneficial to the local community as it builds existential integrity upon the

natural area (Ecotourism Society, 1992). The hypothetical monetary support of the willing

respondents can prove as a contributing tool to the forest park’s sustainability.

For the 15th question, participants were asked if they believe that the Arroceros

Forest Park deserves to be upheld as a cultural avenue after being informed about its cultural

placement in the country. Out of 32 qualified respondents, 96.88% shows that tourists,

coming from different cultural backgrounds, realize Arroceros Forest Park’s cultural

placement and the significance it brings to the Philippine history. As for having the majority

of respondents affirming their view on the cultural value of AFP, in the preservation of the

last forest park, which would not only benefit the present generation, but also the future

generations to come, Soini (2016) states that integrating culture in achieving sustainability is

of vital importance due to it depending greatly on human accounts towards the area such as

behavior and actions which are embodied culturally.

For the 16th question, respondents were asked whether they think that Arroceros

Forest Park is worthy to be saved and rejuvenated in the preservation of the culture it holds.

93.75% of the total qualified respondents answered “Yes”, while the remaining had

answered otherwise. Gathered data shows the valuation that the tourists place and their

cultural placement of the forest park, with majority of the respondents answering “Yes”, this

then shows that they see the park’s value and potential to be rejuvenated as a place that

sustains the Filipino culture. As cited by Rosenfeld (2008), Nasser (2003) states that with

the fast-paced industrialization of communities in today’s world, it is of great importance to

32
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

preserve culture and values, alongside balancing socio-cultural needs with economic gains.

4.2.2 Administer an assessment of an urban forest park’s contribution in providing

sustainable development in the field of tourism

In order to measure the capacity of urban forest parks to contribute in the sustainable

development in the tourism sector, the corresponding questions were formulated based on

intention of fulfilling “administer an assessment of an urban forest park’s contribution in

providing sustainable development in the field of tourism” objective with ”how do urban

forest parks contribute in sustainable tourism?” serving as the foundation of each inquiry.

8. Do you think that you will be satisfied visiting AFP as it is today?

12. Would you want AFP to be visited and experienced by future generations?

For question 8, respondents are to rate their level of satisfaction scaling from 1 to 5, 1 being

very dissatisfied and 5 being very satisfied of visiting Arroceros Forest Park as it is today.

Gathered data shows that 46.88% of the respondents were satisfied with its conditions,

34.38% for neutral, while 9.38% stated that they were dissatisfied, 3.13% is allotted for very

satisfied, and the remaining 3.13% for very dissatisfied. All answers derived from this

question were only based from an audio-visual presentation shown by the researchers. Results

show that the vast majority of the qualified respondents are satisfied of the state which the

forest park is currently in. Although, there were some tourists that were dissatisfied of its

current state. This suggests that AFP, still needs for development in order to have visitors to

not feel dissatisfied of visiting the park, with this, Robertson et al. (1999) defines sustainable

development as the economic enhancement that meets the needs of the present generation

without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their needs

For question 12, tourists are asked if they would want future generations to have the chance

33
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

to visit and experience AFP. Results show that out of all the 32 qualified respondents, a

deeming 100% of them want AFP to be visited and experienced by future generations. The

conclusion is that the foreign tourists that have visited a forest park knows the experience,

value, and importance of having a forest park. They want the future generation to benefit and

experience what they had experienced from visiting a forest park. With the high pace of

growth in industries and demands of communities, it is important not to compromise cultural

conservation and values, as well as balance socio-cultural needs while benefiting

economically (Nasser, 2003, as cited by Rosenfeld, 2008).

4.2.3 Determine the factors affecting the willingness to pay of foreign tourists for the

conservation of the urban forest

To be able to determine the factors affecting the willingness to pay of foreign tourists for

the conservation of the urban forest, the following question assessed the varying possible

factors that may induce appeal to the public. What factors observed by the foreign tourists

strengthens necessity of AFP’s conservation?” served as the fundamental guide of the

composition of the following queries:

9. What are your recommendations for AFP’s management to be a satisfying visit?

For question 9, majority of the answers are focused on the improvement and cleanliness

of the urban forest park. While other respondents suggested activities (fundraising) that would

aid in generating funds that could aid in the beautification and maintenance of the last

surviving eco-space of Manila. Moreover, one answer indicated to preserve and keep AFP as

“natural” as possible. It is interpreted that although AFP has a lot to be improved, the essence

of it being an urban forest should never be overshadowed nor declined in the development

process. This is related to Robertson’s definition of sustainable development, where economic

34
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

enhancement meets the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their needs.

4.3 Thematic Coding

Option Value (Question #7)

Codes Interpretation Frequency 1. If the park will charge an
entrance fee in before they could
C1 For the 5 enter it. (Option Value).
Conservation of the 2. Characteristics that would
Park provoke interest for visits (Appeal
S1 Support for the Park 5 Value)
3. Rejuvenation of the park to
N1 To keep a Natural 5 establish and maximize its capacity
Surrounding in an (Potential Value)
Urban Area

The option value being assessed by question number #7 focuses on the willingness to pay

of the foreign tourist if AFP were to charge an entrance fee. Upon being asked about the

factors that affected their valuation, they established three (3) common accordance which is

conservation, support for the park and upholding a green eco-space within the urban area.

Appeal Value (Question #10)

Codes Interpretation Frequency
L1 Improvement of 15
Cleanliness and
Sanitation

The appeal value in question number 10 concerns the respondent’s recommendation for

AFP’s current condition in order to increase its allure to the public. Majority proposed a better

sanitation policy and implementation within the area of the said urban forest park.

35
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

Potential Value (Question #13)

Codes Interpretation Frequency

H1 Historical Value 8

Question number 13 recognized the negligence or possibility of AFP as an avenue that

could exhibit Philippine culture. With that being said, the potential value that the respondents

deem appropriate for AFP is its valuation in historical terms.

Potential Value (Question #14)

Codes Interpretation Frequency
P1 Preservation 4

Potential Value (Question #14)

Codes Interpretation Frequency
R2 Should be Funded
by the Government 3
The potential value in question number 14 prioritized the alacrity to give monetary value

for rejuvenation of AFP as a cultural spot. The responds were categorized with agreement

and disagreement to pay money for rejuvenation with corresponding account of basis. Those

in agreement stated it is for the purpose of preservation while those who opposed considered

that it should be a mandatory government’s function.

Potential Value (Question #17)

Codes Interpretation Frequency

N2 Interactive 9
Landscapes
F2 Social Gatherings 10
and Activities
Upon recognizing AFP as an exhibit space that could cater to different activities that would

showcase Philippine culture, the respondents deem interactive landscapes and social activities

as a prime proposition that could ignite and increase AFP’s potential value.

36
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

CHAPTER V

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1 Summary

Upon finishing this study, the data gathered had been interpreted and deduced with a

result that equates to a homogenous response of Arroceros Forest Park as culturally valuable

as perceived by the respondents. Furthermore, possible implementations and policies were

also identified by the respondents based on their personal specifications.

According to the data gathered and analyzed, it is attested that the 100% of the

respondents (foreign tourists) still perceive Arroceros Forest Park valuable in cultural terms,

enough for it to be used as a ground basis to be preserved. The data analyzed are unvarying

with 32 qualified respondents corresponding to an agreement that AFP should not seize to

exist but to be progressed into a better conditioning and state that the future generation would

experience.

Majority of the respondents had given personal recommendations that they deem would

give Arroceros Forest Park more functionality and appeal to the locals and foreigners. Mostly

including the betterment of maintenance and cleanliness and the inclusion of social activities.

As stated by of Brundtland (1987) as mentioned in Chiu (2004), an accessible park that

allows people to interact results to stronger community bonds and relations thus, improving

the quality of life.

Although being unified in seeing the value of the urban forest park and its potential

contribution in the environmental, cultural and social aspects, the respondent population had

37
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

deduced varied answers concerning their willingness to pay for the rejuvenation of AFP.

Numbered respondents are willing to donate monetary values given that their intent is to

contribute on the preservation and maintenance of the urban forest park. However, few

foreign tourists would not voluntarily give financial aid for the forest with the argument that

they are not responsible for it as they are not citizens of the country.

In contrast to this in terms of valuation, the study of Membrebe et. al (2017) states that

locals within the area did not have a uniformed agreement on the appraisement of AFP. The

responses lacked in consistency since the population had varying perspective with regards to

the concerns of AFP. The respondent’s valuation was measured by option, existence and

bequest values. Under the option value which is the wiliness to pay for entrance fee, 46.9%

were willing while the remaining 53.1% are not. While the existence value yielded 53.1%

yes and 46.9% no on whether the locals would pay for the conservation of AFP in order to

prevent the establishment of commercialized spaces. Whereas the bequest value which is

willingness to pay for future generations bestowed a result of 64.1% yes and 35.9% no. Thus,

proving the fact that the foreign tourist has more valuation of the said urban forest park as

compared to its own locals. But notwithstanding the fact that both local and foreigners are

not thoroughly in accord to giving monetary values for AFP.

5.2 Conclusion

A human being’s environmental, economic and social valuation upon an urban forest

park is brought up by their cultural influence. Culture is the foreshadower as it depicts the

different environmental, economic, and social views of people hence—the varying responses

to each question.

Urban forest parks are viable contributors to sustainable tourism when valued by

38
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

the community. Given that 100% of the respondents are eager for future generations to visit

and experience AFP, it is proof that the urban forest park can stand as a sustainable ground

and can be a space for sustainable tourism. This is keeping in mind that protection of its

cultural prowess, maintenance of its’ environmental setting, regulation of financial support

(via entrance fee or any profitable business) (Sisman, 1994), and its’ beneficial social

influence to the people (Miao & Miao, 2017), are upheld through the course of time.

A mean of 96.86% (31) responses were claims particular on AFP becoming an avenue for

activities which can embolden the Philippines’ culture. Of the 17 out of 32 significant

answers as to why, 47.06% yields that their determining factor of AFP’s prospects to become

a cultural avenue is tantamount to its historical value. Then, it can be concluded that an urban

forest park’s historical significance equates upon its’ capacity to become a culturally

sustainable avenue.

Factors which influence the tourist to more inherently claim conservation upon AFP is

its’ (1) current sloppy state. With a 46.88% claim that improvement on the cleanliness and

sanitation of the park would deem a better experience in AFP, it is be established that the

current condition of the park is noticeably unkempt for the respondents to deem it as a cause

for intervention. (2) AFP being the last urban forest park in the city of Manila also deems to

be a triggering factor for foreign tourists to conserve the green space. This is in accordance of

the 62.5% rate of the total mean willingness to pay responses for question number 6.

5.3 Recommendation

Having all of these been said, the researchers would like to recommend to the Arroceros

Forest Park Administration to (1) improve its maintenance in terms of the park’s cleanliness

and sanitation. Findings deem that advancement of AFP in its tidying efforts will imbibe a

39
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

more pleasurable stay upon its guests. By word of the respondents, (2) implementing an exotic

garden display in AFP will deem as a motivational factor increasing the inflow of tourists.

Along this, the administration may also (3) undergo a comprehensive assessment of its’

network of people, in order to give light to prospective individuals who may be willing to

financially aid the forest park.

By word of the respondents, meeting these ends will reform Arroceros Forest Park’s

current deteriorating shape and its’ declining tourism. To uplift Manila’s last remaining lung

as a tourist spot and as a sustainable environment, stated means above are deemed by the

researchers constructive and effective.

Additionally, with the discovery that foreigners from different countries have deemed

more valuation on Arroceros Forest Park as compared to its own residents, it is proposed that

the academe includes a knowledgeable verity that would aid in gaining environmental

comprehension on its curriculum. Being equipped with fundamental cognizance from the

academe, awareness and recognition can prosper along with community development. AFP

with its resources and inhabitants, can be considered as an avenue of learning notably for

those in environmental and scientific domains. Such utilization of property had been

overlooked but still has the capacity to be granted when proper protocols had been established

and implemented.

40
THE CULTURAL VALUATION OF AFP

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