CHAPTER I
A. THE PROBLEM AND ITS SETTING
a. Background of the Study
The Philippines has always held on tourism as a strong sector for its economic growth. In 2012, a milestone for Philippine tourism was achieved as arrivals to the country passed the four million mark for the first time, reaching a total of 4,272,811 visitors – an increase of 9.07% from the previous year (Department of Tourism, 2013). However, despite boasting a range of attractions and a reputation for hospitality on par with its regional competitors (Oxford, 2016), the Philippines’ tourism industry is still far behind compared to its neighboring countries.
After Super Typhoon “Yolanda” (international name: Haiyan) struck the Philippines in 2013, the whole world turned its attention towards the country. Particularly, to the devastation lashed at the Philippines’ Visayan Region. The storm surge brought about by the typhoon literally devoured Tacloban City (Samaniego, 2013), leaving 5,877 people dead in the Eastern Visayas region alone (National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, 2014). This incident put Tacloban City in the limelight once again, after being practically destroyed by a similar extreme weather event in 1912, killing about 15,000 people (Diola, 2013).
But, Filipinos are known for being resilient. The Warays recovered then; they will recover now. When “Yolanda” shut several doors — from jobs to coffin lids — it left an unexpected door opened: tourism (Cabato, 2016). The tragic incident reeled in foreigners eager to help the victims in Tacloban and has since made the whole region more popular to tourists. According to Brett De Los Santos (2016), an administrative officer in the Department of Tourism (DOT), the one thing that the typhoon wasn’t able to take away is Eastern Visayas’ tourism industry.
Tacloban’s City Tourism Office (CTO) recorded a total of 25,636 foreign tourists and 444,430 locals in 2015. These numbers amount to a tourism receipt of P4.05 billion (Salarda, 2016). Based on data gathered by Salarda (2016) from the DOT Region 8 office, the income generated by Tacloban’s tourism industry amounts to half of the region’s P8.08 billion.
Although it is obvious that progress has been made at Yolanda’s “ground zero” as new buildings started to emerge from the ruins, authorities stated that two years since the massive rebuilding efforts, still only 51 percent of the rehabilitation projects were completed (Philippine Daily Inquirer, 2015). Tacloban City officials admit that in order to continuously rebuild the city, they will have to rely on its tourism industry.
CTO Officer Gerald A. Ligan (2016) said that majority of the tourist inflow are visiting to check on the typhoon’s devastation and the city’s rehabilitation. He conveyed that there are just about enough lodging for the tourists, but there is a need for other travel-related services and organized tours.
b. Problem Statement
Main Problem
How can architecture intervene in boosting the tourism industry and overall rehabilitation of Tacloban City while consequently creating an identity that can be recognized as purely “Tacloban”?
Sub-Problems
1. What type of buildings/structures can pull and call on tourists to visit, tour, and stay at Tacloban City?
2. What are the architectural means for generating livelihood for the residents of Tacloban?
3. How can architecture help establish a brand for Tacloban in the tourism industry?
c. Goals/Objectives/Strategies
Architectural Thesis Goal
The goal of this study is to help further boost Tacloban’s tourism industry, which goes hand-in-hand with the city’s rehabilitation, through the construction of Tacloban Tourism Complex. The project will open up livelihood opportunities for the people displaced and afflicted by the onslaught of typhoon “Yolanda”, while leaving Tacloban’s own mark in the tourism sector through architecture.
Objectives
1. To determine establishments that can be integrated in the tourism complex, which are well sought-after by tourists of the Visayas region;
Strategies:
a. Assess the current condition of tourist influx in Tacloban City and determine the most go-to tourist spots in the city.
b. Collect data on existing tourist establishments in the city; identify what they offer, and what they lack.
2. To analyze the ratio of job opportunities that can be brought about by the tourism complex to the number of displaced and jobless Warays;
Strategies:
a. Assess the number of families whose livelihoods were affected by the onslaught of typhoon “Yolanda”.
b. Evaluate the number of job vacancies that can be opened through the erection of the tourism complex.
3. To identify ways on how to create Tacloban’s own identity in the tourism sector.
Strategies:
a. Assess Tacloban’s people, culture, and products. Trace the city’s history and architectural background.
b. Evaluate local designs, materials, and building methods that can mirror the very entity of Tacloban.
d. Scope and Limitations
Scope
The study will focus on assessing the condition and income generation of Tacloban City, Leyte, in order to determine the necessary measures needed to further boost the city’s tourism while leaving its own mark in the tourism industry. Information will be obtained through gathering of technical and statistical data which includes demographics, population and fatalities, livelihood casualties, tourism inflow/outflow, and city revenue from the tourism sector. The study will also take into account the relationship of the tourism industry with the overall rehabilitation of the city. Local building materials and building technologies will be studied for better utilization to the project. Supporting case studies with similar situation to Tacloban City will also be researched on.
Limitations
To limit the scope of the research, the following will serve as boundaries:
1. Information regarding Tacloban City and its tourism industry will be gathered from government sources, however, it is highly probable that an up-to-date statistical data cannot be acquired.
2. Case studies and related examples will be gathered from internet searches and published literary works, both local and foreign; a site visit for multiple existing tourism complexes in the Philippines will not be possible due to the limited availability of similar built structure in the country.
e. Significance of the Study
The Residents of Tacloban City, Leyte
This study is essential to the residents of Tacloban for it will help expedite the rehabilitation of the city through its revenue, and will help improve the local economy by providing livelihood for the locals and inviting more foreign investments into the city.
The Local Government
This study will provide local officials a means for improving the city’s tourism, and likewise, the city’s rehabilitation, while making a mark for Tacloban City. The study will cover data on income and livelihood generation for the city.
Other “Ground Zero” Places
This study aims to demonstrate that calamity-hit places can get back to their feet by taking advantage of the ruins left by the tragedy. This will help provide data on managing “disaster tourism/dark tourism” by providing information about experiences, cultures, and products that are sought-after by tourists.
f. Assumptions
Although the problem statement is based on the real issue within Tacloban City, this research is but a theoretical project. For the purpose of the study, the following will be held true:
1. The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tacloban’s local government will join together in funding the tourism complex in pursuance to R.A. 9593, otherwise known as the Tourism Act of 2009. Chapter 1, Section 2 of the Act states that “the State shall seek to recognize sustainable tourism development as integral to the national socio-economic development efforts to improve the quality of life of the Filipino people, providing the appropriate attention and support for the growth of this industry”.
2. The Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) will authorize the operation of the tourism complex in pursuance to the Rule IV of “Guidelines for the Designation and Supervision of Tourism Enterprise Zones and the Administration of Incentives under R.A. 9593”. Rule IV states that any person, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or any other form of business organization can apply as a tourism enterprise given that the fees and required documents have been submitted upon registration.
3. The DOT will accredit the establishments within the tourism complex upon meeting the “Rules and Regulations to Govern the Accreditation of Tourism-Related Establishments” pursuant to the provisions of Executive Order No. 120, in relation to Republic Act No. 7160 otherwise known as the Local Government Code Of 1991. The stated rules and regulations are promulgated to govern the accreditation of restaurants, shops, department stores, museums, training centers, homestays, rest areas in gasoline stations, and sports and recreational clubs.
g. Definition of Terms and Concepts
1. Tacloban City: is located in the northeastern part of the Island of Leyte, one of the islands in Eastern Visayas (Region 8) of the Philippines.
2. Tacloban Identity: set of characteristics by which Tacloban City is undeniably recognizable.
3. Tourism Complex: a developed area where tourist facilities are established comprehensively for various purposes of tourism and relaxation.
4. Waray/Warays: a subgroup of Visayan people native to the islands of Samar, Leyte, and Biliran.
5. “Ground Zero”: the center or origin of rapid, intense, or violent activity or change.
6. Disaster Tourism: also known as “dark tourism”, is tourism directed to sites that in some way are connected with death and disaster/tragedy.
7. Department of Tourism (DOT): is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination.
8. Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA): formerly the “Philippine Tourism Authority”, is an agency under the DOT which is responsible for implementing policies and programs of the department pertaining to the development, promotion, and supervision of tourism projects in the Philippines.
9. Tourism Enterprises: facilities, services and attractions primarily engaged in whole or in part in tourism and for the purpose of attracting visitors to and within the Philippines such as, but not limited to, facilities, services and attractions involved in tourism.