Tourism chief: DENR has last say over Nickelodeon project in Coron

Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo stressed that the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) has the final say in terms of approving Nickelodeon's resort and attraction project in Coron, Palawan.

"Syempre at the end of the day, hindi naman kami yung mag-i-issue ng permit, it's DENR and the local government unit. So sila yung mag-i-issue," Teo said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

"Kasi ako from my end, hindi ko na alam what could ever happen, so if you could just check with DENR kung okay na ba yung project, nabigyan na ng permit. I think they have the position to answer," she said.

"DOT does not issue permits. We are only here to sell the destination once it is ready...to promote the destination. If it has complied with everything, I'm sure bibigyan ng permit 'yan and we will sell the destination definitely," she added.

Floating, not underwater

Teo clarified that Nickelodeon's parent company Viacom International Media Networks is planning to establish a "resort and attraction" and not an underwater resort and theme park as earlier reported.

In January, Viacom said that 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."

The project drew public criticism from netizens and conservation groups, with Save the Philippines leading an online campaign called #CoronIsNotBikiniBottom. The group's executive director Anna Oposa also appealed to concerned government agencies to be transparent about the development plan.

Teo said the project as presented to her showed that Coron's corals would not be affected, as the structures the company planned to build would be on land and floating in the water.

"The concept was presented to me, in our office last year. I think that was last year. The project I saw it, hindi naman matatamaan yung corals, again because diyan ako binabanatan. Hindi matatamaan yung corals kasi magiging parang floating restaurant, yung corals nasa baba, yung kwan nasa taas so nagfo-float lang 'yan," she said.

Viacom vows no damage

Teo said that Viacom assured the agency that the construction would not damage the island.

"Hindi daw, they will take care of it. They just presented it to us and I said it's a good project," she said.

"They presented the concept...and all they asked of us is when the project will be ready, we will help them sell the destination. And they were asking for incentives, yung tax holidays, 'yun lang," Teo told GMA News Online.

"They showed us na may condo silang ipapatayo, concept lang yun eh. They said there's a floating restaurant, and then yung condo going up...sa lupa, hindi sa dagat," she added.

However, Viacom did not inform the Tourism Department of the targeted date for the establishment of the project, Teo said.

Teo earlier said that her department was "excited" over the prospect of establishing an underwater and resort theme park on Coron Island as it would attract more tourists.

She repeated this on Wednesday, saying that the citizens of Coron would benefit the most if the project pushes through.

"Of course, it's a new destination, it's Coron Water Park. It's one of a kind, wala na tayong ibang... park dito diba. So in terms of tourism, tataas..ma-swerte ang Coron. Maraming mabibigyan ng trabaho...For the people in Coron, sila yung mas makikinabang," Teo said.

Tourism Sec. Wanda Teo on Nickelodeon project: In terms of tourism maswerte ang Coron tataas ang arrivals. pic.twitter.com/ABrmybOJmS

— Marlly Bondoc (@marllybondoc) June 7, 2017

Natural attractions

DENR-MIMAROPA Regional Director Natividad Y. Bernandino on Monday issued a statement saying that the agency has yet "to see pertinent papers of the resort," and stressed that "permits and approval must be secured before the construction begins."

The statement added that "tourists flock Coron because of its natural attractions,"  and the construction of such an attraction would affect the island's ecosystem and rich biodiversity.

"DENR MIMAROPA plans to hold consultations with stakeholders to ensure all views are taken into consideration," it added.

PRESS RELEASE from DENR-MIMAROPA Region on the Nickelodeon-Coron issue#ImWithNature pic.twitter.com/IhfXoGPS5i

— DENR (@DENR_Official) June 4, 2017

— BM, GMA News