Durano: Olango Ecocenter will not disrupt ecosystem

CEBU, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) is making sure that the establishment of the P600 million Eco-Center in Olango Island, will not disrupt the island’s ecosystem and that adherence to environmental standards and eco-department regulations will be strictly implemented.

DOT secretary Joseph Ace Durano downplayed the concerns raised by some sectors on the promotion of ecotourism development, giving the assurance that the regulations implemented by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, through the Environment Compliant Certificate (ECC), among others, will be strictly imposed.

“I believe its [Cebu Eco Center] just in the study stage. When they apply for the necessary requirements, like ECC and endorsement for incentives, DoT will make sure that they comply with our standards for eco-development,” Durano told The Freeman.

Durano mentioned that a wetland center in London, which he visited, is an example for a major wetland development, which successfully strikes a balance between human activity and conservation.

Durano had been pushing and promoting the development of eco-tourism related facilities to boost the advantage of the Philippines, as a preferred eco-tourism destination in the world.

However, some sectors in the society, such as those hard-core environmentalists, are calling on the government especially DOT to minimize the promotion of eco-tourism related projects, as buildings of facilities within an area, might disrupt the ecosystem and ultimately ruin the environment in the end.

The Tri-Globe Capitals of Canada, in partnership with Canton family led by Macaraig Canton Jr.,formed the Cebu Eco-Center Inc. (CEC) that will build a P600 million facility in an area adjacent to the Bird Sanctuary on Olango.

The group is planning to open a 50-room, 100-bed resort facility along with classrooms, a scuba diving center, a scuba diving center, electronic library, observation tower (for the bird sanctuary), restaurant bar, mangrove walkways, spa and wellness center, first-aid clinic, and a dock to receive small craft from other islands

Since it the development is going to involve largely environmental responsibility and sensitivity so as not to disrupt the eco-system of the bird sanctuary and marine reserves in the area, company has partnered with environmental experts like the Scripps Institute of Oceanography—University of California in San Diego and the University of San Carlos (USC), and also deployed environmental experts to study area.

According to Durano, eco-tourism projects, which involve careful attention on the environmental aspect of an area, is also being monitored by the DENR, and DOT likewise will not allow projects, that will cause a threat to the environment.

Since the Philippines has identified its niche in nature tripping, adventure tourism, this is the ripe opportunity for LGUs to develop their areas, and make use of their natural resources as product for tourism.

Eco-tourism should be taken into serious consideration. Foreign travellers now, Durano said are demanding for nature-based activities and make use of the existing natural resources of a certain place.

He, however, made sure that developments of these kinds of projects will be monitored closely in terms of environmental responsibility of the developers.