Partido State University (ParSU) and the University of the Philippines Asian Institute of Tourism (UP AIT) have embarked on a collaborative initiative to advance sustainable coastal tourism development in the municipalities surrounding Lagonoy Gulf through the HIKOT Project. This program will equip local communities with knowledge and tools to create tourism opportunities that generate income, protect the environment, and promote local culture.ย
Formalized through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 5, 2026, at UP Diliman, the partnership integrates research, instruction, and extension services to support community-driven, sustainable growth in one of Bicol's most significant coastal areas.
To officially launch the HIKOT project, ParSU-UP AIT Team paid courtesy visits to ParSU President Dr. Arnel B. Zarcedo and San Jose Mayor Jerold Peรฑa and conducted a site assessment in San Jose, Camarines Sur, on June 2, 2026. As the pilot municipality for the project's implementation, the team visited four pilot barangaysโSabang, Dolo, Tagas, and Telegrapoโwhere community-based tourism initiatives were initially developed.ย
The activities provided an opportunity to engage local stakeholders and gain a deeper understanding of the community's tourism assets, needs, and development priorities.
Building on the insights gathered from the initial visit and site assessment, ParSU and UP AIT conducted a Project Development Workshop and a Workshop on Tour Trek Development, Marketing, and Promotion of Coastal and Fisheries Tourism in San Jose on June 4โ5, 2026.ย
The workshop brought together representatives from the academe and LGU-San Jose to identify tourism opportunities, enhance local planning and marketing strategies, and lay the groundwork for a tourism program that reflects residents' aspirations.
Highlighting the project's relevance to local communities, ParSU Vice President for Research and Extension Dr. Raul G. Bradecina underscored the transformative potential of sustainable tourism in addressing both economic and environmental challenges. "Sustainable tourism can really address poverty through providing sustainable livelihood and biodiversity conservation," he said.
The statement reflects the central vision of the HIKOT Projectโto create development opportunities that improve the lives of coastal residents while safeguarding the natural resources on which their communities depend. By integrating research, planning, and stakeholder participation, the initiative seeks to ensure that tourism growth contributes to both community well-being and environmental sustainability.
For ParSU, the project creates opportunities not only for research collaboration and faculty development but also for producing knowledge that directly benefits communities. By working closely with local government units and stakeholders, the University continues to fulfill its role as a partner in community development and nation-building.
In his message, President Zarcedo highlighted the value of partnerships that create meaningful impacts beyond the walls of academic institutions. "The beauty of academic partnership lies not in institutions working together, but in making research, instruction, and extension more meaningful to the lives of people," he said.
He also emphasized that tourism development should always place communities at the center. "Tourism is not merely about destinations; it is about dignity of livelihood, care for the environment, pride of place, and ensuring that development leaves no community behind," he added.
A major component of the engagement was the review and enhancement of a research proposal developed by the ParSU Research and Extension Unit titled, "From Fishing Grounds to Tourism Destinations: Developing a Community-Based Fisheries Tourism Model for Rural Coastal Communities in Bicol Inspired by Japan's Omigyo System."
The proposed study will serve as the flagship collaborative research initiative of ParSU, UP AIT, and the Local Government Unit of San Jose. Its findings are expected to help develop a Fisheries-Tourism Integration Model that creates new livelihood opportunities for coastal communities while drawing on successful practices in Japan.
The UP AIT team is led by Assistant Professor Gina Alcoriza, Project Leader and Resource Person, together with Professors Maricel Badilla and Reil Cruz; Assistant Professors Carmela Ibanez, Miriam Orieta, and Marisa Eslao-Pamo; Sarah Andrea Briones, Research Associate; and Evelyn De Ramos, Extension Associate.
Representing ParSU is a multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Bradecina, together with Prof. Jossie Romero, Dean of the College of Business and Management; Dr. Niรฑo Rebuya, Dean of the College of Hospitality and Tourism Management; Prof. Patricia M. Candelaria, Director of the Research and Publication Services Division; Prof. Luisa M. Lanciso, Director of the Extension Services Division; and Dr. Joela Mizchelle D. Dacillo, Director of the Center for Sustainable Communities.
Anchored on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the HIKOT Project demonstrates how universities, local governments, and communities can work together to create sustainable livelihoods, protect natural resources, and build a more inclusive future for the people of Lagonoy Gulf.
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: https://tinyurl.com/4u5hsz8j
