History

Towards a Resilient Riverine Tourism Industry: The Journey of the RISE Capiz Research and Development Program of CAPSU

The occurrence of the pandemic has affected the way of life of the Filipinos, especially within the business sector. The new realities of momentary unemployment, limited mobility, children home-schooling, work from home, and the absence of physical contact with colleagues, friends, and sometimes even family members have been the challenges and changes that the pandemic has brought to the nation’s new system. Adapting to these changes in our lifestyles and the fear of being infected with the virus, are challenges for all of us.

Palina River Tour Operators

Capiz and Capizeños had been firmly fighting the pandemic for almost two years. The economy of the province and the people's livelihood had taken a drastic fall as the virus continued to hinder logistics, sales, and production efforts.

Tourism is an integral part of the economy of Capiz. Before the outbreak, tourists worldwide visited Capiz for its diverse natural attractions, hidden wonders, and vast arrays of seafood and culinary wonders to choose from. Now, most businesses that provide services to the tourists have closed due to constant losses from the scarcity of local and international tourists that visit the province.

With these concerns, Capiz State University, through the initiatives of Dr. Leo Andrew Biclar, University Research Director; Dr. Emelita P. Solante, University Community Extension Director, and under the leadership of Dr. Efren L. Linan, the Vice President for Research, Development, and Extension, proposed the RISE Capiz (Riverine Improvement towards a Sustainable Ecotourism in Roxas City, Capiz) Research and Development Program to address the gaps, challenges, and needs of the riverine communities within Roxas City.

The program has a five-year development plan to nurture three riverine communities. Unfortunately, due to territorial waters, boundary restrictions, logistic difficulties, rapid changes of the tides, and many other factors, CAPSU was limited to focusing on two riverine communities. The two community beneficiaries are the Palina Greenbelt Eco-Park at Brgy. Cagay and the Cadimahan River Tour at Brgy. Lawis Bay-Bay Roxas City.

RISE Capiz cover photo

The Commission on Higher Education through the StudyPH Program under the CHED-IAS funded the RISE Capiz R&D Program with Php3,916,211.98 for its first-year development and implementation. The first phase started last August 2021 and will be completed on the last week of July 2022.

This year's focus is on identifying the demographics, conducting the capacity-building activities based on the needs of the riverine communities, documentation of the socio-cultural and cultural practices, and the overlying activities geared towards community development. The rivers covered within the project will also be assessed in terms of their physicochemical characteristics, geographical location, and farming potential.

Along with the implementation of the RISE Capiz R&D Program (Phase 1) is the building up of the Greenhouse Demofarm, Aquamarine Demofarm, and dispersal of the Darag Native Chicken. Each will rise within the vicinity of the community beneficiaries. They were capacitated in managing and producing the commodities on vegetables and native chickens.

CAPSU was also able to propose Aquamarine Demo Farm, Screenhouse Demo Farm, and Darag Native Chicken Production Chain.