DOT exec apprehensive on plans to build underwater theme park in Palawan

Reports showed that Viacom International Media Networks, which owns Nickelodeon, announced the plan to build the park on Monday (Jan 9) saying that Palawan (Pictured) was chosen for having the most beautiful beaches. (Photo: Caryl Joan Estrosas/ Flickr)

MANILA –An official from the Department of Tourism (DOT) on Wednesday said that she personally had doubts on plans of American children’s TV network Nickelodeon to build an underwater theme park in Coron, Palawan noting that the island was already beautiful as it is.

“Honestly, Coron is already beautiful in its natural state,” DOT Undersecretary for Media Affairs Kat de Castro said in her official Twitter account.

De Castro said that news about the construction of the theme park had reached the agency but officials had yet to get a word with parties involved in the project.

“We will talk to all parties involved in the project as it was brought to their attention just recently,” De Castro said. “As a diver, personally, I have doubts.”

Reports showed that Viacom International Media Networks, which owns Nickelodeon, announced the plan to build the park on Monday (Jan 9) saying that Palawan was chosen for having the most beautiful beaches.

The company said that Palawan would be part of a 400-hectare undersea development that would allow guests to interact with characters from their favorite Nickelodeon TV shows.

Environmentalists and netizens have both opposed the plans of building a theme park in an island which has been regarded by travel magazines as the ‘best island in the world’ as it would damage the marine ecosystem.

Online petitions to stop the construction of the theme park have also been started.

Palawan is home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.