| Abstract |
Balancing the allocation of freshwater ecosystem services to
different users is one of the challenges of sustainable water resource
management. By valuing resources and ecosystem services
economically, it can provide useful support for water conservation
policies by quantifying the economic value associated with the natural
resource. Thus, economic valuation is an important tool for decision茂聙鲁
making on sustainability of ecosystem services. One of the techniques
in determining the economic value is the willingness茂聙鲁to茂聙鲁pay (WTP)
method. This refers to the price that an individual is willing to pay for
the consumption and/or conservation of the ecosystem services. This
study aims to determine the economic valuation of Lawis River
Spring located in Buruun, Iligan City Lanao del Norte through the
use of the WTP method. In gathering this data, convenience sampling
was done and accompanied by a modified survey茂聙鲁questionnaire. Also,
the researcher obtained physico茂聙鲁parameters and conducted four茂聙鲁day
solid waste characterization (Friday to Monday) in the research
locale. Results revealed that an individual is willing to pay a total of
PHP 42.20 for the freshwater ecosystem services, infrastructural
development and maintenance of the spring. The physico茂聙鲁parameter
results also revealed that the water is safe for humans, aquatic life
and other living organisms. It also indicates an acceptable remark for
domestic and agricultural use for households situated nearby the area
and for recreational activities of potential tourists and/or visitors. The result of Total Suspended Solids (TSS) and salinity
may indicate the presence of solid contaminants and wastes in
the water resource. The study concluded that the Lawis River
Spring is still in a good condition and has potential for
community茂聙鲁based tourism in Iligan City. However, due to the
presence of water insoluble materials and wastes in the area,
there is a need for appropriate conservation and water
management strategies. The economic valuation
undertaken here can be basis for sustainable water
conservation policymaking. |
Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology