VALUATION OF POBLACION, SAN CARLOS CITY, PANGASINAN AIRSHED

Abstract

This study assessed the economic value of Poblacion, San Carlos City, Pangasinan airshed. Permission from authorities concerned to do the surveyon 40 tricycle drivers and 40 passengers as respondents were done. Validation of the questionnaire was accomplished consisting personal demographic profile of the respondents and with the used of 4- point Likert Type scale as 0 score for not polluted, moderately polluted-1, and polluted-2 to indicate the level of awareness of the respondents in the status of airshed in the area. The data gathered from the respondents were computed using the SPPS, Benefit Transfer Method, Contingency Valuation Method, Market Price Method and Protection- Damage Cost Method. The demographic data showed that majority of the respondents are single, in the age range of 10-19 years old with a highest educational attainment of high school graduate and are Roman Catholics. Results showed that respondents considered headache as the major health effect of air pollution to them and even severe in summer season and that the indoor air quality in the area is not polluted while the outdoor air quality and odor of air as moderately polluted. The estimated total economic value of Poblacion, San Carlos City, Pangasinan Airshed is valued as Php 18,826,141,499 ha/yr. This study recommends to design online information, communication, and education (IEC) materials to enhance respondents’ awareness and further studies on the airshed of Poblacion, San Carlos City, Pangasinan is encouraged to accurately quantify the parameters and construct a baseline data gathering for the valuation of airshed.