Environmentalists all over the Philippines are rallying against Nickelodeon’s plan of building an underwater resort and theme park in Palawan.
They would advocate environmental protection
Upon hearing the news of the proposed theme park and resort in Palawan, environmental groups such as Greenpeace and Save Philippine Seas went to social media to start campaigning against it.
Nickelodeon, the firm behind iconic cartoon characters such as Dora the Explorer, and Spongebob Squarepants have plans of developing a 400-hectare undersea theme park that would both showcase their characters as well as feature Palawan’s lush marine life.
Ron Johnson, an executive vice president with Viacom International Media, which owns Nickelodeon, said that they chose Palawan because it “is known to have some of the most beautiful beaches in the world today.” He adds that they would also “advocate environmental protection.”
However, environmentalists are having none of it.
“Spongebob would agree”
Anna Oposa, Executive Director of Save Philippine Seas, a local environmentalist group focused on saving the country’s dwindling sea life shared a post on social media, saying that instead of advocating environmental protection, the development will “accomplish the opposite.”
She adds, “By building artificial structures, you will undeniably damage and disrupt Palawan’s marine ecosystems — our last frontier. We don’t need an underwater theme park — our underwater life is fascinating, entertaining, and educational on its own. Spongebob would agree.”
Environmental group Greenpeace also chimed in the discussion, saying that it would destroy the area’s thriving and unique 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 shares. “Why build a viewing deck when you have the whole paradise to enjoy?”
Palawan has been called “the last frontier” because of the amazingly pristine coastline and forests in the area that has remained relatively untouched. It’s also home to two UNESCO World Heritage sites, the Palawan Underground River, and Tubbataha Reef.
An online petition has already been created calling for Viacom and the Local Government of Palawan to junk the proposed development.
Sources: rappler.com, news.abs-cbn.com
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