Opposition against the proposed underwater park in Coron, Palawan has once again increased, after the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced that the project was pushing through. Ecologist and biologist Dr. Alfredo Licuanan joins calls to oppose the project and says that the park and its structures will further endanger the coral reefs in the area.
A group of environmentalists recently criticized the tourism department for throwing its support for the project. According to a Philippine Star report, the group included representatives from environmental organizations, community organizations and the academe.
Coral Reefs Need To Be Left Alone To Heal
The tourism department claims that the Coral Water Park is not only a theme park but is also a coral reef conservation program. In response to this, Dr. Licuanan cites that coral reefs do not require “human intervention” for them to recover, according to a GMA News report.
He mentions the case of Tubbataha Reefs, also in Palawan, which recovered from degradation, not because of human intervention in the reef itself. Licuanan points out that Tubbataha is what it is now because it was closed off to fishing and other activities such as diving were highly regulated.
According to him, the reefs in Coron are already under so much stress with tourism and other human activities. Adding a structure as big as the CWP will add on to the stress, which may mean “whole scale” death for these corals. He says that what is important at this point is to remove all the unnecessary stressors and let the corals heal.
Palawan Locals Do Not Want The Park
Coron is home to several indigenous peoples’ groups and fisher folk communities that rely heavily on marine resources for their livelihood. The Tagbanwas of Coron have been involved in local tourism initiatives which not only provide income but also protect local resources.
If a big tourism project such as the CWP will threaten these resources, it will be these communities that will be directly affected. According to the Environmental Legal Assistance Center, these communities oppose the establishment of the park.
Amidst all the controversy, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources issued a press release about the Coral Water Park. According to their release via Twitter, the department has not received any official communication from the project proponent. Despite this however, they are looking for ways to find out more about the project, which falls under their jurisdiction because it directly impacts local resources. They also cited that the area of the project, Coron, is considered a Key Marine Biodiversity Area and that they will make sure they will evaluate the project to consider all interests: “ecological, social, economic and human.”
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