Environmental groups decry lack of transparency in Nickelodeon theme park project

Greenpeace, Save Philippine Seas, Conservation International Philippines, Environmental Legal Assistance Center (ELAC) Palawan, and other groups on Wednesday released an open letter to the Department of Tourism and Secretary Wanda Teo in response to the agency's "excitement" over the proposed  construction of a Nickelodeon theme park in Coron.

The letter cited the Tourism Act of 2009 to remind DOT that its mandate is to "[p]romote a tourism industry that is ecologically sustainable, responsible, participative, culturally sensitive, economically viable and ethically and socially equitable for local communities."

Atty. Gerthie Mayo-Anda, executive director of ELAC Palawan, revealed during a press conference that the project was brought up as early as 2011, but said, "No comprehensive plan [has been released] on how they want to pursue the project in a very pristine area like Busuanga and Coron."

Mayo-Anda pointed to the existing laws meant to protect Palawan's natural resources and biodiversity, adding that most of the tourism activities in the area is "naturally based" and not "infrastructure heavy."

Citing the damage done in Southern Palawan due to mining disputes over a decade ago and Republic Act 7611, Mayo-Ando asserted, "Every Palaweño deserves adequate information."

She further urged the public and public servants to make sure that the laws and policies meant to preserve the beauty of Palawan are really enforced. "Kailangan pong isaalang-alang natin 'yong umiiral na patakaran."

Environmental organizations met with Paul Munosca, the main developer of the project, on January 12 and Vince Cinches of Greenpeace told the media that they were not shown a single page from any document detailing the project.

Anna Oposa of Save Philippine Seas added that Munosca told the attendees that the company then was not at liberty to share more information — including the exact location of the project — but they are planning to open the theme park in 2020.

Oposa said they were told that details would be released two months after the initial meeting, but the company has remained mum.

Irreparable damage

Despite the lack of details, Mayo-Ando said, "The indigenous people and fisherfolks [of Palawan] have spoken: Ayaw nila [sa project na ito]."

"That project, with all due respect, is out of place in Northern Palawan. We have survived there — agricultural fisheries and tourism — without heavy infrastructure investment. Please lang po, galangin natin ang kalikasan," she continued.

In tangible terms, Coral reef scientist Dr. Wilfredo "Al" Licuanan explained that additional human activity could cause irreparable damage to the reefs in the region. The protection of endangered coral species like Anacropora spinosa, an endemic coral in Coron, should always be in the government's mind.

"We’re dealing with globally endangered species. This is not a list I came up with, it’s the global red list," Dr. Licuanan declared.

Even with policies in place, he said, “Whenever anything is constructed in water, especially shallower water, it involves building a causeway. Kasi madali kasing sabihin na maglagay ng barge ... but five meters is too shallow for heavy equipment. Ang usual procedure is to build a causeway, na ang ibig sabihin is tatambakan.”

Poor land management could lead to soil slipping into the water, which can destroy corals.

Dr. Licuanan shared that over the last 40 years, we have lost all the excellent category reefs – going from 200 to zero — due to destructive fishing and poor land management.

Dr Al Licuanan highlights the importance of preserving Coron because of anacropora spinosa, an endangered coral endemic to the area pic.twitter.com/Y0U6SBV7tz

— Aya Tantiangco (@ayaruim) June 7, 2017

The signatories will be handing the open letter to the DOT later during the day and Greenpeace is already reaching out to Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Roy Cimatu for help in blocking the project.

Former Environment secretary Gina Lopez had assured the public that the DENR will exhaust all efforts to prevent the construction of the theme park.

The DOT, meanwhile, maintained that the proposed theme park will create jobs for the people of Coron. —ALG, GMA News