MANILA (UPDATED) - US television network Nickelodeon will push through with its plan to build a theme park in Coron, Palawan, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said Thursday.
The development will include a floating restaurant, hotel and condominium, Teo told CNN Philippines.
Former Environment Secretary Gina Lopez had opposed the idea of an underwater park in Coron, saying it would damage corals in the area.
“And remember that Nickelodeon thing? They’re going to pursue with that,” Teo said.
Teo said park developers assured her that they would “preserve the environment.”
The Department of Tourism (DOT), in a later statement Thursday night, however, said that although it is excited with the said project, it still has to be approved by appropriate agencies.
"The DOT is aware of the planned Coral World Park in Coron. From a tourism perspective, the DOT is excited about the idea because this would attract both local and foreign tourists. But with regards to the approval of such a concept, the DOT would properly refer the matter to the appropriate agencies that can evaluate and decide on it," the DOT said.