Could there have been a misunderstanding?
The group planning the Nickelodeon “theme park” in Palawan clarified that it wants to build a “resort and attraction with an ocean conservation focus.”
“There has never been any form of communication from our side mentioning a theme park,” said Susan Lee of Coral World Park Undersea Resort (CWP) in a statement sent to Coconuts Manila.
It was earlier reported that Nickelodeon plans to turn Coron into Spongebob’s home with a 400-hectare underwater theme park. Environmentalists promptly launched an online petition to oppose the project.
READ: Nickelodeon to build a theme park in Palawan, environmentalists express alarm
It is clear, however, that CWP plans to build something in the country’s Last Frontier.
According to the statement, the project “is land-based but is designed to meet the international standards required as a global destination.”
CWP also denied that it will be a massive 400-hectare park.
“Only 100 hectares was allocated for its Nickelodeon facility, with up to 30 hectares allocated for the attraction, which has not been finalized yet. The only infrastructure in the water is floating and all developments are on land,” says the statement.
“When completed, CWP will be the largest coral reef conservation program in Asia, with Asia’s largest marine sanctuary for five key species – dolphins, sea cows, sea horses, turtles and whale sharks,” CWP added.
As of writing, the online petition against the project initiated by Save the Seas has more than 160,000 signatures.
“We take the petitions seriously but sad to say, information has been misunderstood. We hope these points clarify all matters concerning this development,” they said.
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