A Mixed-Method Inquiry on Community Knowledge, Attitudinal Orientations, And Practices Toward Protected Area Policies in The Chocolate Hills, Bohol, Philippines

Abstract

Protected areas are vital for protecting biodiversity, but their long-term effectiveness often depends on the support and engagement of residents. The research was conducted to determine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of the inhabitants regarding the rules of the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument in the Philippines. Specifically, it measured respondents' levels of knowledge, attitudes, and conservation practices and studied the relationships among the three dimensions. The study used a quantitative cross-sectional approach with a sample of 500 adult residents of six communities surrounding the protected area. A modified Knowledge–Attitudes–Practices questionnaire was completed by the chosen respondents using stratified random sampling. Descriptive statistics and Spearman’s rank-order correlation were employed for data analysis. The results showed that the respondents had an intermediate level of understanding, a good attitude, and moderate conservation activities towards protected area policies, and experience and background in the community may be associated with beliefs and behaviors about conservation. Significant positive associations were also observed among knowledge, attitudes, and conservation practices, indicating that greater policy understanding typically correlates with positive attitudes and conservation practices. These results indicate that increasing environmental education, improving policy communication, and encouraging inclusive community engagement could further bolster conservation efforts within the Chocolate Hills Natural Monument. The study provides empirical evidence to help protected area managers and local government units formulate community-responsive policies that enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable local development.