Cebu landowner to host first eco-center in Southeast Asia

By Ehda M. Dagooc Updated July 22, 2009 12:00 AM

CEBU, Philippines - The Tri-Globe Capitals of Canada has entered into a partnership with a Cebuano landowner to establish a P600 million first Eco-Center in Southeast Asia to be situated at a 3.5 hectare property on barangay Sabang, Olango Island, Lapu-Lapu City.

The Tri-Globe Capitals and Canton family led by Macaraig Canton Jr.,formed the Cebu Eco-Center Inc. (CEC) that will manage and operate a 50-room, 100-bed resort facility along with classrooms, 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.

In a press conference, CEC president and chief executive officer (CEO) Marc Canton said that the phase one of the project which will build the resort facility and support services is expected to finish in one year’s time after the company will break ground this coming October. This first phase will incur the company at least P160 million.

The company is looking at acquiring adjacent properties within the development to pursue a total of 6.5 hectare long term development.

Canton said phase 2, which is set to get started after the completion of Resort structure, will involve a larger cooperation from the local government unit (LGU) as it will set up the needed infrastructure support such as waste water and solid waste management system, development of renewable energy using the sea-pressure turbine, as well as solar and wind energy, establishment of water supply technology using Reverse Osmosis and desalination, among others.

This project is the first accommodation facility to be set on the popular Olango Island, which is the sanctuary of migratory birds from all over the world. The property is located in the Southeast corner of Olango Island, right next to the bird sanctuary.

Since 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, Canton said the 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.

“CEC is designed to be a center of excellence for coastal management ecosystem, marine biology and ornithology,” Canton said.

Although, the Tri-Globe Capital has committed to even fund more projects up to $1 billion (Canadian dollar) here, Canton said CEC has also gotten a financial back up to 70 percent of the total project cost from the Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP).

The group of investors from Canada, through the Tri-Globe Capitals were convinced to put in money in this kind of development in the Philippines, following the country’s Eco-tourism Destination award given a Nature publication in France.

The Canadian investors are also impressed of the government through Department of Tourism (DOT) strong advocacy in promoting eco-tourism.

Although the eco-center’s accommodation will be designed as world-class, Canton said room rates will be pegged in a very affordable range.

It will provide a European-sea-class-hotel level with rates seen to hover within $40 to $50 (Canadian dollar) per night.

Based on International Ecotourism Society (IES) statistics, about 15 percent of the total tourists around the world are eco-tourism enthusiasts, and this number is growing as “green” interest has becoming more popular all across segments.

Canton added that although 15 percent are hardcore ecotourism travelers, about 90 percent of the worldwide tourists prefer a place that is “green.”

Aside from providing economical boost to 5,600-resident barangay on the Island, Canton said the facility will also hire local residents to man the facility. A free medical clinic for the residents will also be installed, Canton concluded.