Sustainability
Sustainability Policy
El Nido Resorts is committed to providing leisurely, engaging, and educational experiences and services to all our guests in a manner that has the least impact on the environment and promotes respect for El Nido’s local people and culture. We will accomplish this through:
Enjoining our staff and guests to uphold our five Be G.R.E.E.N. tenets
Linking with local communities through employment and purchases
Nurturing a culture of environmental stewardshipInitiating opportunities for guests to experience nature and the local culture
Discovering and molding sustainability champions among the staff
Outdoing ourselves every year by building new sustainability programs on the success of previous ones
Sustainable Operations
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Nature Conservation and Protection
El Nido Resorts embraces its leadership role in nature conservation,
being the largest employer in the municipality and operating in small islands within the Protected Area. We work closely with the community and local government in areas requiring much support, such as in the prevention of illegal fishing, coral and reef fish assessments, environmental education campaigns, and more.
Monitoring Wildlife
El Nido Resorts launched El Nido Biodiversity Online, a database of El Nido’s flora and fauna, in 2008. The database contains datasheets and photos of the plants and animals found in El Nido, where they are seen, and when.
Aside from the participation of guests and staff in monitoring wildlife, the academe is also involved. El Nido Resorts supports scientific studies on the flora and fauna of El Nido by providing board and lodging, boats, equipment (e.g. dive gear), and personnel to visiting researchers. Examples of studies conducted are the reef fish surveys by Dr. Gerry Allen and Dr. Mark Erdmann and carrying capacity of dive sites by Dr. Lyndon deVantier and Mr. Emre Turak.
Marine Ecosystems Preservation and Protection
Marine Turtle Conservation Program
All marine turtles found in the waters of El Nido and Taytay are endangered. At least five species of turtles are known to nest in some of El Nido’s beaches.El Nido Resorts champions the conservation of endangered sea turtles, with tag-and-release programs in cooperation with the Protected Area Office, and hatchling releases from nests safeguarded by resort staff.
Coastal Cleanups
Lagen Island Resort has consistently supported and participates in eco-events such as International Coastal Clean-up Day, World Ocean Day, and Earth Day and has chosen to make coastal clean-up a regular activity, clearing beaches of marine debris twice monthly.
Installation of Eco-reefs at Tres Marias
In April 2006, El Nido Resorts partnered with the local community and El Nido Foundation, Inc. (ENF) in the installation of EcoReef artificial reef modules in Tres Marias, a former dive site devastated by illegal fishing, coral bleaching, and typhoons. El Nido is only the 2nd in the world to receive the ceramic modules, after Bunaken National Park in Indonesia.
Installation of Mooring Bouys
To prevent anchor damage on coral reefs, El Nido Resorts’ Dive Team installed (and maintains) mooring buoys in 21 sites around Bacuit Bay. These are especially important in high-traffic areas such as the Small Lagoon and South Miniloc.
Protection of Giant Clams
El Nido Resorts transplanted giant clams to the front reef of Miniloc Island Resort and Lagen Island Resort from different parts of Bacuit Bay, where these endangered species are harvested indiscriminately.
El Nido Marine Monitoring Task Force
The waters of El Nido are constantly under threat from various illegal activities. El Nido Resorts patrols the waters of Bacuit Bay and coordinates with local authorities in apprehending violators. Participation in the Marine Monitoring Task Force means extending more assistance in terms of logistics, drafting ordinances and lobbying for penal provisions both in the Protected Area Management Board and the Municipal Legislative Body.
Building Sustainable Communities
Our eco-resorts on Miniloc Island and Lagen Island in El Nido and Apulit Island in Taytay have been “good neighbors” by building mutually beneficial partnerships with key stakeholders; promoting responsible tourism principles in community and provincial tourism planning; enjoying community support and high morale of staff; and providing guests with unforgettable cultural experiences with local staff in a beautiful setting.
Environmental Education
The Be G.R.E.E.N. (Guard, Respect, Educate El Nido) training program, in place since 2007, trains all staff on: ecological waste management; water, energy, and biodiversity conservation; and environmental laws. To encourage the staff to apply what they’ve learned in the seminars, “Pa-Berdehan: The El Nido Resorts Eco Challenge,” a company-wide competition for environmentally friendly initiatives, was established in 2007. Since then, innovative work practices have been developed and implemented, such as patronizing cooking oil retailers with reusable containers (initiated by the Purchasing department), and limiting the running time of air conditioning units without sacrificing guest comfort (initiated by the Engineering department). The Environment Department conducts yearly Nature Interpretation training seminars for the Marine Sports Guides and other staff who wish to attend.
Guests are reminded and encouraged to conserve our natural resources. The company’s Environmental Code of Conduct called “Ten El-NiDos” is provided in each room to remind guests about the environmentally sensitive Protected Area and the appropriate behavior to ensure conservation. Guests are actively discouraged from touching the animals, whether on land or underwater. Collecting shells, corals, starfish, and other animals is not allowed and is specifically stated in our welcome message. Guests are likewise informed of the Conservation Fees that the Resorts collect and remit to the Protected Area Office. El Nido Resorts also strives to be an industry leader by creating opportunities to be studied by numerous tourism practitioners. By participating in various eco-events, we are able to share best practices for others to follow.