During the sugar crisis in the 1980’s, Bais City whose
economy was dependent on sugar, experienced social unrest
brought about by unemployment; increased insurgency; massive
destruction of the forest (only 500 hectares left of the
13,000 hectares of rainforest) due to illegal logging, kaingin
(slash and burn agriculture), and charcoal making; destruction
of marine and coastal resources due to illegal and destructive
fishing and squatting along river banks and mangrove areas.
In addition, only 10 percent of the population owned 90
percent of the total land area. Around 65 percent lived
below the poverty line. The displaced workers of sugar plantations
became marginal hillyland farmers and artisanal fishers,
which increased the pressure on the city’s already,
degraded natural resources. Compounding these problems were
concerns on soil erosion, flash floods, and watershed degradation
which prompted the city government to undertake this program
in 1993 with a jingle entitled: “This Time Make It
Bais, It’s Yours to Discover.”
The program showcased a comprehensive and integrated
ecosystem approach laid out in a 10-year development plan.
The program included the following packages: beautification
for ecological security and tourism; nature appreciation
tours; agri-reforestation; local integrated ventures for
effective acceleration of fishery resources; and local integrated
ventures for upland agriculture. Bais City was identified
as one of the economic corridors of Negros Oriental, a site
for ecozone development, agri-based processing, and eco-tourism.
As a result of the program, a strong middle-class
was created. Unemployment was reduced by 56% and eco-tourism
blossomed with increased arrivals of foreign and local visitors
(around 500 monthly) to see the spinning dolphins as the
city’s unique attraction. The program also introduced
new techniques in cloning mango, farming, mangroves rehabilitation,
and fishing techniques like sea ranching for shells and
fish. This intervention increased the income of the marginalized
workers by 30 to 50 percent. These livelihood activities
further eliminated illegal and destructive fishing. The
dynamic eco-tourism industry generated employment opportunities
for the city and made it attractive to businessmen and investors
interested in setting up environment-friendly enterprises.
