''American children’s television network Nickelodeon has announced it will build an underwater resort and theme park on an island known as the Philippines’ last ecological frontier, alarming environmentalists.
The firm behind SpongeBob SquarePants and Dora the Explorer said the park on Palawan island would be part of a 400-hectare undersea development showcasing the area’s marine life that would give fans a chance to “interact with the brand and the iconic characters they love”.
Palawan was chosen for the development because it “is known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world today,” Ron Johnson, an executive vice president with Viacom International Media Networks, which owns Nickelodeon, said in a statement.
Viacom’s initial statement announcing the project on Monday said the resort would open in 2020 and feature restaurants and lounges six metres below sea level.
The development would “advocate ocean protection”, and conserve coral reefs, the statement said.
But environmental group Greenpeace said it would destroy the area’s world-famous marine ecosystem.
“It’s sad and alarming because a theme park that big will not promote environmental protection by building those structures,” Vince Cinches of Greenpeace Southeast Asia said.
“Why build a viewing deck when you have the whole paradise to enjoy?”
Conservation groups call Palawan “the last frontier” because of its pristine coastlines and forests, which are among the oldest and most diverse in Southeast Asia.
Palawan is home to two Unesco World Heritage-listed sites, a subterranean river and the Tubbataha coral reefs.
Palawan-based environmental activist Grizelda Mayo-Anda also expressed concern.
“I am wary because we have had problems already with resorts built in mangrove areas,” Mayo-Anda, executive director of the Environmental Legal Assistance Centre, said.
“I’m really concerned because sometimes, with all due respect to the local government unit, we get captivated by new projects and we do not judiciously study the impact.”
Viacom’s Philippine partner, Coral World Park, insisted the resort would not hurt the environment.
“We are taking very, very careful measures to ensure that the biodiversity is kept intact,” Coral World Park chairman Paul Monozca said." source SCMP.COM
the natural beauty of Coron, Palawan should be left untouched and preserved.
there are already hundreds of resorts in the island that have already taken away the natural livelihood of the poor Filipino families. if Nickolodeon will continue this project, it is not just the thousands of poor Filipino families who will get affected by this huge corporation that will possibly take over their main source of income, but the marine biodiversity too.
"Contrary to the press statement that the underwater theme park would "advocate ocean protection," it will accomplish the exact opposite. By building artificial structures, you will undeniably damage and disrupt Palawan's marine ecosystems -- our Last Frontier. If they are sincere and serious about marine conservation, the money allocated for the underwater theme park should be invested in marine protected areas, sustainable livelihoods for local communities, and environmental education programs instead.
For a channel that targets children, Nickelodeon is setting a terrible example to the younger generation by taking away their right to enjoy and appreciate our natural resources. We don't need an underwater theme park -- our underwater life is fascinating, entertaining, and educational on its own." - Anna Posa
calling Nickelodeon (Viacom International Media Networks), and Coral World Park Undersea Resorts Inc., to junk their plan to build a 400-hectare underwater theme park in Coron, Palawan.
we are asking for your help. please help us protect and preserve Palawan. let its natural, unspoiled beauty be its main tourist attraction.
