Underwater Resort in Coron, Palawan

Have stumbled on Yahoo Phils. news here that a US$ 150M underwater resort hotel will be built by Singaporean businessman Paul Monozca in the islands of Coron, Palawan. Named as Coral World Park, it will be designed by Filipino eco-architect Jose Pinggoy Manosa, who had also handled previous projects like the San Miguel building in Ortigas, as well as the Brent school in Binan, Laguna. The underwater resort will use lots of submarine technology, and power will be derived from a mobile hydropower system. Eighty percent of the resort's manning will be composed of Filipinos.

If the Coral World Park project materialize by 2013 as planned, it will put the Philippines in the luxury tourism map. Just imagine waking up with schools of fishes right outside your hotel room, or see a sea turtle hovering above the coffee shop while you're having breakfast. Guests will be able to see what is happening on the seafloor in real time 24/7!

Its quite exciting and will be good for the local economy. However, inspite of the developer's promise to protect the environment and the area's biodiversity, I'm not convinced that they can proceed with the project without harming the environment. For sure, there will be some coral life and fishes to be displaced by the underwater facilities. Solid waste and sewage disposal will also be a challenge. I hope that the Palawan's provincial government would be strict in protecting designated marine areas to maintain the area's rich ecosystem. 

A few years ago, Banyan Tree Resorts was also reported to build a resort on one of the islands in Coron. If these resorts start to operate, prices of seafoods and other commodities would inevitably go up due to more demand. It will be more expensive to tour in Coron for budget tourists like me. I guess its time to make plans to visit Coron by next year, before the islands' condition change or become less affordable.

Photo above is an artist's rendition owned by AFP.