Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 111)
The main policy is to develop and promote sustainable tourism while enjoining the participation of the Filipino people in enhancing the growth and competitiveness of the Philippine economy.
The NEDC was created to serve as the policy-making body for ecotourism, integrating government efforts to sustain the viability of ecotourism development in the Philippines.
The NEDC is composed of the secretaries of the Departments of Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources, Interior and Local Government, Trade and Industry, Finance, National Economic and Development Authority, and Education, Culture and Sports, along with representatives from the private sector and non-government organizations.
The Department of Tourism chairs the NEDC while the Department of Environment and Natural Resources co-chairs it.
The NESC formulates national ecotourism strategies and programs, recommends policies and guidelines, reviews major project proposals, devises accreditation and incentive mechanisms, consults local populations, provides assistance to communities, supervises implementation, and performs other necessary activities.
The RECs review, evaluate, approve, and monitor ecotourism projects in their regions, implement policies and programs, identify ecotourism sites, recommend plans, and perform other activities prescribed by the council.
The Ecotourism Technical Working Group provides technical and administrative support to the NEDC and NESC for the implementation of the Executive Order.
The National Ecotourism Strategy is prepared by the Council to provide an integrated management plan and is formulated in consultation with concerned stakeholders including indigenous peoples and local communities affected by ecotourism development.
The program covers development, management and protection of ecotourism sites; product enhancement and development; environmental education and information campaign; and support programs for community stewardship and livelihood development.
The DENR and DOT allocate funds from their regular budgets for the NEDC's operations, and the NEDC can also generate funds through financial mechanisms and receive grants or donations, which are placed in an Ecotourism Fund.