Global Journal of Management and Business Research, F: Real Estate, Event and Tourism Management, Volume 22 Issue 3

government agencies, local government units (LGUs), farm tourism operators, tour operators, educational institutions, and other industry stakeholders in its implementation. Also, Republic Act 9593 known as the ‘Tourism Act of 2009’ states that the country shall ‘strengthen the role of tourism councils and encourage the participation of non-government organizations (NGOs), people’s organizations (POs) and the private sector in initiating programs for tourism development and environmental protection’ and ‘encourage private sector participation and farm tourism for countryside development and preservation of rural life. Furthermore, it is important to note that these legal frameworks encourage cooperation among, and/or request the assistance of, departments, bureaus, offices, agencies or instrumentalities of the government, farm tourism stakeholders, financial and educational institutions, nongovernment organizations, people’s organizations and other like-minded institutions and individuals in the implementation of its functions to effectively attain the promotion and development of farm tourism in the country. Lastly, Dabphet noted that educational institutions also play important roles in the process of sustainable tourism development. They are seen as the producers of the educational experience and are ultimately responsible for planning, development, and delivery of the tourism knowledge. c) Governance as Harmonizer of Stakeholders Governance refers to the management of the country’s economic and social resources for development (World Bank, 1987). The United Nations describes it as a complex mechanism, process, relationships, and institutions through which citizens articulate their interests, exercise their rights and obligations and mediate their differences while Kooiman (1993) defines it as ‘the pattern or structure that emerges in a socio-political system as a common result or outcome of the interacting intervention efforts of all involved actors’. These definitions show that it involves people, policies, and processes to provide framework to which certain decisions and actions will take place. More so, it includes the identification of roles, responsibilities, capacities, and accountability of each stakeholder and how they interact with one another to attain certain goals. Governance functions as harmonizer of stakeholders. It balances competing goals between each of them. Bourne (2015) para phrased Cadbury’s (2002) definition of governance ‘as holding the balance between economic and social goals and between individual and communal goals. The governance framework encourages the efficient use of resources and require accountability for the stewardship of those resources. The aim is to align as nearly as possible the interests of individuals, the organization and society”. This is also very much relevant to how the World Development Report (WDR) 2017 defined governance as the process to which state and non-state actors interact to design and implement policies within a givens et of formal and informal rules that shape and are shaped by power, which makes others act in the interests of those groups and individuals and to bring about specific outcomes. In this sense, governance is very much needed in order for the stakeholders to function well and manage themselves well to ensure the responsible use of the resources they have. The practice of a suitable type of governance such as collaborative governance or network governance should take into place. III. M ethodology a) Methods and Design This study is an exploratory research. It is also qualitative as it aimed to explore the meaning and understanding of a complex social environment such as the relationship of farm tourism stakeholders and its current governance set-up. Analyses were based on the data gathered from the field and did not employ any statistics to explain the findings. A combination of secondary and primary data gathering methods are used in the study. Data about the current state of farm tourism (plans, programs, initiatives, projects) were gathered through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). Mandates of the government agencies were reviewed from their respective websites. Likewise, brochures, pamphlets, and other materials from selected farm tourism sites were also collected and became the sources of other relevant information. Furthermore, a desk review method was also done for the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of the RA 10816 and other relevant documents. The researcher analyzed the profile of stakeholders and their perceptions on the current state of farm tourism industry through content analysis. Other methods used are, social network analysis (SNA), power interest analysis and SWOT analysis. The power interest matrix is used to classify stakeholders according to the level of power an interest they have. On the other hand, the SWOT analysis is done to highlight the resources of municipalities on farm tourism and identify areas which needed attention. IV. R esults a) Status of the Farm Tourism Industry Table 1 summarizes the data gathered from the KII and desk review. It substantiates that the farm tourism industry in Camarines Sur is not yet well- established. In this case, the key essence of the Republic Act 10816 which is to disseminate the value of agriculture, provide additional income to farmers, and involve the community are not yet realized. At present, Governance Framework for Farm Tourism in Camarines Sur, Philippines © 2022 Global Journals 17 Global Journal of Management and Business Research Volume XXII Issue III Version I Year 2022 ( ) F