A proposed underwater theme park in Palawan, considered as the country’s last ecological frontier, is facing stiff opposition from ecology groups and possible rejection by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), notwithstanding the proponents’ insistence that the project aims to advocate ocean protection and coral- reef conservation.
Environment Secretary Regina Paz L. Lopez has taken a hard line stance against “destructive” development projects, particularly in Palawan. As chief steward of the environment, she had previously declared that Palawan is off-limits to destructive development projects, including mining and coal-fired power plants.
While Lopez could not be reached for comment as of this writing, a DENR Twitter account, @DENR_official, tweeted that Lopez is likely to disallow the proposed underwater theme park.
ECC review
She had earlier vowed to implement a stricter policy in issuing environmental compliance certificates (ECCs). An ongoing review of 800 ECCs caused the cancellation of six ECCs for mining projects and a housing project within the La Mesa Watershed.
The DENR also issued show-cause orders to 12 other companies with the threat of revoking their ECCs for failing to comply or meet certain conditions.
Director Theresa Mundita S. Lim of the DENR’s Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PWB), said such a huge a development project in an area considered as a key biodiversity area (KBA) needs a long hard look.
“Palawan hosts 70 percent to 80 percent of the Philippines’s marine biodiveristy, meaning [the] variety of fish and other marine resources can still be found in the sea areas in the country. This needs to be seriously considered in any infrastructure development in the coastal and marine areas in the province,” Lim said.
Palawan is home to an assorted species of flora. Palawan’s waters also host unique marine wildlife, such as sea turtles, sea cow, dolphins, whales, stingray and sharks. The province is home to two United Nations Educational, Cultural Scientific Organization (Unesco) World Heritage Sites—the Tubattaha Reefs and the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR).
The project
The American children’s television network Nickelodeon announced it will build an underwater resort and theme park on Palawan island.
News reports quoted Ron Johnson, an executive vice president with Viacom International Media Networks that owns Nickelodeon, said the resort would open in 2020 and would feature restaurants and lounges 6 meters or 20 feet below sea level.
The firm also said the development would advocate ocean protection and reef conservation.
Viacom’s Philippine partner is Coral World Park. Its chairman, Paul Monozca, was quoted as saying they are taking measures to ensure that the biodiversity is kept intact.
Despite assurances from the project proponents, environmental advocates are up in arms and vowed to oppose the project.
Instead of building the money-making facility, the proponents of a proposed underwater theme park should help in real protection and conservation efforts, AA Yaptinchay of the Marine Wildlife Watch said.
‘Greenwashing’
Yaptinchay said the plan to build a resort was first floated in 2011, but it has yet to secure any permit from the DENR or Palawan Council for Sustainable Development (PCSD).
“We believe the project is being supported by [the] local government,” he said.
Yaptinchay also branded as mere “greenwashing” the claim of Viacom that the proposed underwater theme park it plans to build in the province would advocate ocean protection and coral-reef conservation.
“The construction of the underwater [theme park] itself would degrade the coastal and marine environment. In constructing the facility, habitats, such as mangrove and beach forests, sea grass beds and corals, would be destroyed,” he added. Marine Wildlife Watch advocates protection and conservation of marine wildlife.
“Nickelodeon and its project partners should spend the money for constructing the theme park to actual or real marine life and habitat-conservation activities, instead of building a facility for profit,” Yaptinchay said.
Unsustainable
According to the project’s proponents, Palawan was chosen for the development, because it “is known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world today.”
“Why do you need to build a theme park showcasing what is in our backyard all along. All you have to do is swim and enjoy nature,” Yaptinchay said.
Oceana Philippines Vice President Gloria Estenzo Ramos also said the proposed plan is unsustainable and will irreparably damage the marine ecosystems and displace artisanal fishermen. Oceana Philippines, a chapter of Oceana, is an international ocean-conservation advocacy group.
“I’m wondering if a thorough environmental and social-impact assessment has been done for such as an environmentally critical area. No place seems to be sacred for development projects nowadays,” Ramos said.
Meanwhile, advocates, led by Anna Oposa, launched an online petition calling on the local government of Palawan and the project’s proponents to junk the plan.
The petition, launched 16 hours ago as of this writing, already gathered 99,230 signatures validated by signatories’ e-mail addresses.