The Philippines is renowned for its beautiful beaches, with white sands, turquoise waters, and tropical sunsets that draw both locals and tourists alike. These beaches consistently rank among the world’s best and a source of pride among Filipinos.
Yet for many Filipinos, accessing these natural treasures is not as straightforward as one might expect.
While beaches in the Philippines are supposed to be free for everyone to enjoy, many coastal areas have become commercialised, with fees that can range from small entrance charges to costly resort bookings.
Let us explore why this is the case and what it says about our relationship with nature, public spaces, and the growing tension between community rights and private interests.
A legacy of public spaces
Under Philippine law, beaches and other natural resources are supposed to be part of the public domain. According to the Philippine Water Code and the Public Land Act, no individual or private entity can truly “own” the foreshore area or the beach itself; it belongs to all Filipinos.
This idea resonates with the sense of community and the deep-seated tradition of sharing spaces in Filipino culture. In theory, this should mean that everyone, regardless of income, can enjoy the country’s abundant natural beauty.
But in practice, many Filipinos find themselves paying for what should be free. From paying to park near the beach to entrance fees for “maintenance,” these costs can add up and limit access for ordinary families.
The reality of beach fees
Across the country, stories of restricted access and required payments abound. In popular spots like Boracay, El Nido, and Siargao, visitors often find themselves confronted with “environmental fees,” “entrance fees,” or mandatory payments for “upkeep and security.” S
ometimes these fees are reasonable, intended to manage crowds and maintain cleanliness. In other cases, they are imposed by private landowners or local government units with little accountability, turning public spaces into money-making ventures.
For example, in Boracay, some local officials and resort owners have clashed with community members over beach access, with fences and guards placed to block “non-paying” guests. In Batangas and Zambales, families who simply want to swim for a few hours find themselves shelling out for day passes or “cleaning fees.”
In some areas, even fishermen who have relied on these waters for generations must pay to launch their boats or moor them temporarily.
The role of environmental fees and upkeep
To be fair, not all fees are purely for profit. In some cases, fees help fund environmental protection initiatives. For instance, in Palawan’s famous tourist areas, environmental fees support waste management and preservation efforts, which are critical in preventing the degradation of fragile ecosystems.
With the surge of tourism and the waste that comes with it, local governments argue that fees help ensure these beaches remain clean and safe.
But even these environmental fees raise questions about equity. Why should access to nature be tied to the ability to pay? For many low-income Filipinos, these costs can be a burden.
They may opt to stay away from beaches altogether, cutting them off from the joy and respite these spaces provide.
Balancing public rights and private interests
The tension between public ownership and private control is at the heart of this issue. On one hand, beaches are legally public, meant for all to enjoy. On the other hand, many coastal areas are surrounded by private properties—resorts, restaurants, and businesses that depend on collecting fees to support their operations. This is especially true in tourist hotspots, where the local economy relies heavily on visitors.
Yet, despite these fees, the facilities provided often fall short of expectations. Basic amenities like toilets are sometimes dirty or poorly maintained, failing to justify the charges that are meant to cover “upkeep” and “maintenance.”
This situation adds another layer of unfairness: ordinary Filipinos are expected to pay for access to beaches that are legally public, only to find themselves using substandard facilities.
The question then becomes: how do we balance the need to protect and manage these beautiful places with the right of every Filipino to enjoy them without facing undue financial or physical burdens?
Incidents highlighting the problem
Several high-profile incidents have brought these issues to the forefront. In 2023, a viral video showed guards in Batangas forcibly removing local children who were playing in the sand because their family could not pay an “entrance fee.”
In 2019, a group of young backpackers in El Nido was reportedly stopped by a local resort guard, told they couldn’t swim unless they paid for an expensive day pass.
These incidents spark outrage because they clash with the Filipino sense of community and fairness. Beaches have long been places for families to gather, for children to play, and for communities to bond. Turning these shared spaces into profit-driven enterprises erodes that sense of belonging.
The path forward
Resolving this issue requires careful consideration of multiple factors. The government must enforce existing laws that guarantee public access to the foreshore and ensure that any fees are reasonable, transparent, and truly used for environmental protection.
Communities and civil society groups can also play a role, advocating for the rights of locals and ensuring that beaches remain accessible to all.
At the same time, there is a need to support sustainable tourism and protect natural resources. Without some form of management, popular beaches risk becoming polluted and degraded. But this management must be fair and equitable, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the beauty of the Philippines’ coastlines, regardless of how much they can pay.
Conclusion
For Filipinos and visitors alike, the beach is more than just a place to relax—it is part of our heritage, a reminder of the natural beauty that shapes our islands and our identity. Ensuring that beaches remain accessible to everyone is about more than convenience; it is about upholding fairness, community, and respect for nature.
The challenge now is to find a balance between preserving these precious ecosystems and ensuring that every Filipino, regardless of their means, has the chance to feel the sand beneath their feet and the sea breeze on their face. After all, the beach is not just for those who can afford to pay. It is for everyone.