Underwater Resort To Be Built Off Palawan April 29, 2010 by lukesheppard

If business man Paul Moñozca gets his way, this futuristic underwater paradise with panoramic underwater views of tropical fish, coral reefs and turtles gliding past you as you sleep will become a reality. As a part of an aggressive venture in ecotourism, Singapore-based financier Moñozca, plans to start a futuristic underwater resort just off the island of Palawan. The project expects to bring in a total of $1 billion in investments over a 20 year period, this is an average of $100 million per year in which it’s proponents hope will make thousands of jobs in the Palawan, both directly and indirectly. The main driver of the project, Mr Moñozca is well known for helping to improve overseas remittance business, having stakes in the US professional basketball league and the junior circuit stock car racing teams. Built with submarine technology, the “Last Frontier Resort,” once completed, will be the biggest underwater habitat in the world. The proponents of the project, which is still in the planning stage, have identified a group of islands in the Calamianes as the site for the development which is owned by resort developer and businessman Steve Tajanlangit. The cluster is made up of seven islands which are each within close proximity to one and other, and another seven islands outside the main cluster. The first phase of the development will require semi-submersible units which are known as “sea spiders.” These will be built by a US firm that specialises in Submarines and used as observation decks. Each of the spiders can hold 30 tourists. The second phase of the development calls for a combination of a 100 room underwater hotel with a high-end, boutique hotel brand which will be spread over the seven island cluster. The aim is to rival similar projects, like the underwater resorts in Fiji, Dubai and the Caribbean. Suite rooms are planned to have a fantastic 270 degree view of the underwater world with a great 20 to 40 metre visibility. The rooms here will be connected by underwater corridors. Another 85 rooms are planned to be built on the other cluster of seven islands. The Palawan islands have been chose as the site for the resort because it stands as a quake-free zone and has very clear and cove-protected waters. One of the several islands sits next to the Calauit Nature reserve and the islands close by are perfect jump-off points for scuba divers. The blue print states a strict adherence to protect the environment and biodiversity of the Palawan. Phillipine Scientists are a part of the project’s protective strategy to really focus on the Palawans long stretches of coral reefs, which previously have encountered dynamite and cyanide fishing. Developers expect the project to be completed by 2013.