Introduction

Greetings! You are welcomed by

the fourth-class municipality in the

province of Quezon! San Andres is

located 230.86 kilometers northwest of

Manila and 128.8 kilometers east-

southeast of the provincial capital of

Lucena City. The town of San Andres is

divided into seven barangays on an administrative level. Barangays Tala, Camflora,

Pansoy, Mangero, and Talisay are all in the same municipality. The remaining six are

located in the municipality's peripheral districts, some kilometers from Poblacion, which

serves as the municipality's center.

The municipality is well-known for the island it has in the barangay of Alibijaban in

the Ragay Gulf. This island has a high level of biodiversity, making it a desirable tourist

destination. You can get to Alibijaban Island (from Manila) by traveling to the Lucena

Grand Bus Terminal. The journey takes

about four hours, then you ride a bus or

van to San Andres, Quezon, departing

from Lucena. It takes about two hours to

travel. If you want to go to Alibijaban

Island, you can tell the locals at the

fee is about 10 pesos per person. Additionally, renting a private vehicle makes for a much

more convenient trip. The estimated cost of parking for personal vehicles is 134 pesos.

Since there are boats waiting in the dock, traveling to Alibijaban is simple (you can also

contact a person on the island and hire a boat to come and fetch you).

The island is huge! It has a rich soil that is planted with coconuts, fruit trees, and

corn plants, as well as patches of second-growth indigenous species. The island is the

sanctuary of mangroves. These are the trees or shrubs that thrive primarily in tropical

coastal wetlands or swamps. Mangroves generally produce dense thickets with multiple

tangled roots above ground. At least 22 species of mangroves, including Bakauan Bato,

Bakauan Lalaki, Bantingi, Piagau, Bungalon, Banalo, Busain, Nilad, Pototan lalaki,

Malatangal, Tabau, Aroma, Tabigi, Bani, Tangal, Malubago, Tawalis, Tinduk-t are in here.

The island is a home to 14 different species of birds and bats, including the White-collared

kingfisher, Large-billed crow, Philippine turtle dove, Philippine glossy starling, Chestnut

munia, Pied fantail, Green-winged dove, Black-crowned night heron, Common snipe,

Nutmeg imperial pegion, Tree sparrow, Tabon birds, and fruit bats. Alibijaban island is

also a home to reptiles, including the monitor lizard and the sea turtle (pawikan).
 You only need to pay 100 pesos per person, for you to enjoy the beautifulness of

the island. This payment will definitely help the people in charge to maintain the

cleanliness of the island. If you want camping experience, you can rent one for only 200

pesos that is good for a couple. They also have some huts and accommodation available,

but you can also bring your own tent and look for a much better location to set it up.

Electricity is limited on the island since it is only powered by solar electricity. So, charging

your gadgets will cost you 25 pesos. There is a store on the island where you can buy

soft drinks, liquor, snacks, and other items. No worries about food! In the island, there are

a lot of variety of seafoods that you can eat

that is delicious and budget-friendly. You

can ask the locals to cook something for

you for a minimal fee. But don't forget to

bring your trash bags and properly dispose

of your waste.

The cost depends on the number of people, but it also provides these ideal

locations for tours in the Sandbar and Mangrove areas, swimming, dawn or sunset

viewing, beach hopping (Burias Island, Sombrero Island, and Talisayan Island), camping,

boating, and island hopping. Higher costs result from fewer people. Also, snorkeling. Both

the shoreline and its crystal-clear waters are spotless. Since the camp is far from the

Metro, there aren't any loud, intoxicated campers. There are no congestion issues;

therefore, it is very peaceful! It's ideal for relaxing after a stressful day in the city. Travelers

are increasingly choosing Alibijaban as a vacation destination because of the island's

excellent white sand beach and mangrove environment.

Environment: Alibijaban Island

Location: Southeastern coast of Bondoc Peninsula, San Andres, Quezon Province

Absolute Location: 13°20'40.9"N 122°43'08.1"E

Total Land Area: 4.00 square kilometers

Topography: Ocean Rivers & Gulfs

Type of Soil: Coastal sandy

Climate: Warm and Dry & Rainy

Language: Filipino and English

Objectives

This policy aims to fulfill the following:

1. To provide information about the island and its current condition.

2. To raise awareness and educate people how to keep the island's order in terms of:

a. Waste management

b. Marine preservation

c. Mangrove Forest conservation

4. To sustain and develop the island's tourism industry.

Needs

The residents of Quezon Province are familiar with Alibijaban Island. It has a

beautiful marine biodiversity and amazing protection for its mangrove forest and other

trees, so it already has a healthy biodiversity, but there are still improvements that can be

made to allow it to develop.

1. The island needs to properly market itself because it is a popular tourist destination

and is far from the city. In order to increase visitors' enthusiasm, the signage could

be improved. Additionally, social media can provide updates and highlight the

area's beauty.

2. There should be a proper place where the money from environmental fees and

such to avoid any misunderstanding, and using it only with the purpose of keeping

the island in order.

3. We require boats as a mode of transportation to get to the island. There should be

strict regulations on their waste and belongings to protect the marine environment

and prevent any pollution. In order to preserve the island's cleanliness and vibrant

biodiversity, we try to always remind visitors to leave their trash behind as they

arrive.

4. The island's tourism industry, economy, and biodiversity are all interconnected.

Every person living on the island or visiting must abide by the rules to keep it in
 order, whether they are related to business, cleanliness, or the environment, in

order to improve these conditions.

Responsible Individuals

In order for the aims and objectives of this policy to be achieved, the following

individuals must collaborate and take responsibility for protecting and sustaining the

biodiversity of Alibijaban Island.

These are the individuals:

Tourists

Tourists are people who travel or visit a place for pleasure. They come to see the

beauty of the island, so they should maintain it if they want to keep it that way. As a

result, visitors must maintain the island's cleanliness in order to preserve its beauty and

other tourists can also appreciate the island.

Tour Guides

Tour guides are the ones who lead visitors and are the ones who tourists watch

and perhaps follow. As a result, they should set an example for tourists. As tour guide,

they can also teach the tourists how to conserve the island.
Residents of Alibijaban

Residents are locals or the people who live in a given place or are locals. So,

they are in responsibility to look after the island because they are the ones who know

the island better given that they live there. Also, they should be responsible for their own

community since it is for their own welfare.

Business owners of Alibijaban

Business owners are those who sell goods or services. As a result, they must

take responsibility for managing their waste in order to protect the island. They must

have proper trash disposal and environmentally friendly items.

Barangay official of Alibijaban

Barangay officials are the one who lead a community. So, they should set a

positive example for the locals in concerns of protecting the island, which is also their

hometown. They are also in charge of managing and safeguarding the island, as well as

monitoring of what is happening in the island.

Local Government's Department of Environment and Natural Resources

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is in responsible

of the conservation, management, and development of the country's environmental and

natural resources. The DENR's local government is similar to barangay officials since

they are in a position for maintaining and preserving the island.

The following policies will be implemented and followed by the responsible individuals

for Alibijaban Island, which is located in San Andres, Quezon Province.

1. Policy Regulation No.1 “Enforcing Electrical Support”

The Alibijaban Island lacks in providing electrical accommodation. In order for

tourists to keep the batteries of their electronic devices fully charged, they need to

bring their own power source, such as a power bank. So, in order to provide a more

accessible source of electricity to tourists, businesses, and locals, the island must

improve its electricity system – that is still healthy for the island – with the assistance

of the island's management and the government.

2. Policy Regulation No. 2 “Arranging Stable Water System”

The island of Alibijaban does not have a stable and reliable water system, it is

essential that it maintains access to sources of clean water in order to meet the

requirements of its visitors, specifically in taking a shower or washing their utensils,

regardless of how long they choose to stay and to achieve this project, the island must

improve their water system for a more convenient experience.

3. Policy Regulation No. 3 “Act Concerning Animal Welfare”

According to Republic Act No. 8485, "It shall be the obligation of every person to

protect the natural habitat of wildlife," which mandates that people have a

responsibility to do so. The destruction of the stated habitat is going to be deemed a

measure to protect the animals. It is greatly expected of the individuals managing the

island that they will take good care of the homes of the various species and not

damage any of the diversity that is present in the location.

4. Policy Regulation No. 4 “Protecting the Bodies of Water”

The purpose of the Philippine Clean Water Act of 2004, also known as Republic

Act No. 9275, is to protect the water bodies of the country from being polluted by land-

based sources, such as commercial and industrial establishments, agricultural

practices, and the activities of communities and households. On the island of

Alibijaban, the construction of man-made buildings and the spilling of oil, both of which

could lead to water contamination and the destruction of our natural bodies of water,

are strictly prohibited.

5. Policy Regulation No. 5 “We Love Alibijaban”

To promote the local government's tourism efforts, the island requires visible

signage to all visitors. Signages must be improved and appealing to the eye. Its

purpose is to encourage tourists to visit the island and to boost tourism on the island.

Additionally, you want to provide them wonderful island experiences and inspire them

to abide by the regulations for protecting the forest and the marine environment.

6. Policy Regulation No. 6 “Proper Waste Disposal”

The island of Alibijaban needs more suitable waste bins. Biodegradable, non-

biodegradable, and recyclable waste must be properly disposed of in order to preserve

the island's cleanliness and ambience. The Republic Act (RA) 9003, also known as
 the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, gives local government units

(LGUs) the necessary institutional framework, policy framework, and mandate to

achieve a 25% reduction in waste through the establishment of integrated solid waste

management plans based on the 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycling). So, to prevent

waste from becoming a source of pollution, trash cans should be placed in visible

locations. If possible, there should also be a large supply of trash bags available for

people to use.

7. Policy Regulation No. 7 “Mangrove Forest Protection and Conservation”

Alibijaban is known for its pristine mangrove forest, which is home to many

species, and this Mangrove ecosystem must be preserved. The local government

should be in charge of monitoring the Mangrove Ecosystem. Violators who destroy

the Mangrove Trees will be penalized or receive a fine of P10,000. Locals are required

to participate in Mangrove clean up. This policy will protect the Mangrove ecosystem

from activities such as cutting or destroying Mangroves. This will also include the

conservation and maintenance of the Mangrove species.

The responsible individuals are the ones who are primarily responsible for

implementing the suggested policies. So, the following are the steps to taking the

presented policies into effect:

1. Alibijaban business owners must do their part by providing financial support for

enforcing electricity support and arranging a stable water system in order for

Alibijaban Island to be a much more convenient place to stay. The additional funds
 could be used to boost the island's biodiversity, economy and tourism, for example,

by installing eye-catching signs.

2. A team of Alibijaban residents should be present in charge of the island's affairs.

They should be updated on the situation of the island. When there is a chance to

implement the policy or when there are issues, they should consult their local

government to determine how to handle them.

3. Local government, specifically the Department of Environment and Natural

Resources, holds considerable influence in enforcing the Animal Welfare Act and

protecting bodies of water. Their roles would be to guide and lead these policies

that must be prioritized in order to protect the biological diversity of Alibijaban

Island.

4. The policies that will be made will first go through the legal process or professional

consultation to determine what is appropriate and necessary to do for the island's

welfare. This is to avoid any mishaps or disasters that would harm the island's

biodiversity.

5. All parties involved—tourists, residents, proprietors of businesses, and the

government—should always follow the law. They must carry on providing for and

caring for the island in order to keep it proper. In order to protect this island, the

people must abide by the rules and act responsibly.

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