TITLE:
Assessment of Willingness to Pay as a Source of Financing for the Sustainable Development of Barobbob Watershed in Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines
AUTHORS:
Elizabeth T. Carig, Joel G. Carig, Arvin P. Vallesteros
KEYWORDS:
Willingness to Pay, Payment for Watershed Services, Watershed Management, Logit Model, Barobbob Watershed
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.3,
March
14,
2016
ABSTRACT: This study
employed the Contingent Valuation Method to assess the willingness to pay of water
users, as a source of financing for the sustainable development of Barobbob Watershed.
The WTP study was conducted among 345 waters users in 19 barangays in the municipalities of Solano and Bayombong. Uncensored
data revealed that 63.8% (58.84% for the adjusted) of the respondents revealed willingness
to pay for improved watershed management. The mean WTP amount, estimated through
a logit model, Turnbull Distributor-Free Estimator and Lower Bound Estimate, is
found to be PhP39.35, PhP27.80 and PhP25.90/month/household, respectively. Respondents
WTP is influenced by bid amount, age, membership in environmental organization,
experience with water-related problems, civil status, house ownership, and awareness
on the concept of watershed. Respondents were willing to pay because they wanted
a sustainable water supply for the present and future generations. A payment scheme
is possible and it could provide a sustainable flow of fund, however, the willingness
percentages still needed to be increased. Community education and public awareness
(CEPA) campaign is necessary to enhance the water users’ knowledge and understand
about the importance and values of watersheds. Ultimately, WTP percentage and WTP
amounts would increase.