eco luxury in palawan

Palawan is poised and ready to go green, in the luxury segment. A 124-acre island of the Calamianes archipelago - part of the Palawan Biosphere Reserve - will be the site for the Cacao Pearl, the first non-profit eco-luxury resort and community. Managed by Cacao Resorts, the world's first eco-luxury resort management company, this resort will dedicate all its operating profits to environmental protection and socio-economic improvements in the region.

The first phase of residence sales was concluded earlier this year, and the second phase was scheduled to commence last March. 60 residences were available last April. There are a total of 90-100 villas in the resort, on plots of 800 sqm and up.

The showcase 160-240 sqm 1-2 bedroom island homes are designed by Antonio Calvo (former director of Love Actually, Alexander, Pride & Prejudice) to have "a target of net zero consumption, 100 per cent renewable energy, carbon-neutral building and operations, use of local materials from sustainable sources, environmentally responsible timber treatments, modern composting toilets, low water-use, low-impact construction footprint, responsible recruitment and purchasing, recycling targets for construction, and preservation of the natural environment." (from WhatGreenHome). Filipino designer Budji Layug was commissioned for the interior design.

No motor access will be provided, nor will motorized watersports be allowed in the vicinity, (in order to respect coral reefs and turtle habitats). Rainforests and 8 beaches surround this secluded paradise, and many activities such as diving, caving, tai chi, cardio trails, organic bar mixers, beach parties are available to choose from. Residents may also get involved in the local environmental or community initiatives. Furthermore, the island is within short sailing distance to the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park and Tubbataha Reef Marine Park, two UNESCO World Heritage sites.

5-star service, butlers, personal chefs and an infinity pool are only precursory. This luxury development supports the local community through employment and local products sourcing, contributes directly to the funding and activities of local marine reserves and environmental programs, and will set-up a local fund to sponsor local social and economical programs.

While lauding the directions of the developer, Treehugger warns of greenwash and poses a couple of critical questions: "the first is simply the huge carbon footprint of people traveling to and from this and any other remote island. Two, would the island have proved of more lasting value to humankind if allowed to remain undeveloped? Palawan is considered the Philippines' "last ecological frontier" with tracts of tropical rainforest, two UNESCO World Heritage sites and thriving marine wild life. It remains to be seen whether eco-tourism can keep it that way.?" Click here to view the complete Treehugger article.

For more information on Cacao Pearl, click here. To view a brochure, click here. For sales & commercial enquiries, contact Matt Morrison: +1 (310) 928 6560, mattm@cacaoresorts.com.

ecowaste coalition

The Ecological Waste Coalition of the Philippines (EcoWaste Coalition) is a public interest network of community, church, school, environmental and health groups that is committed to the pursuit of ecologically sustainable and socially just solutions to managing discards. The Coalition was formed in January 2000, six months after the passage of the Clean Air Act that imposes a historic national ban on waste incineration.

The EcoWaste Coalition work to achieve a Zero Waste society in the Philippines by 2020 and shall be guided by 5 key principles: (1) SIMPLE solutions, (2) LOCAL level, (3) INTEGRATED APPROACH to harness local talents and energies (4) ECONOMICALLY BENEFICIAL for the communities and (5) SUSTAINABLE MANNER.

The Ecowaste Coalition is also a participating group of the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives / Global Anti-Incinerator Alliance (GAIA), Health Care Without Harm (HCWH) and International POPs Elimination Network (IPEN).

Since its inception, the Coalition has initiated and supported citizens’ campaigns towards environmental justice and upholding public health through zero waste resource management.

FOCUS CAMPAIGNS:

1. Sustainable Consumption and Lifestyle. The EcoWaste Coalition provides the public through fora and mass media timely eco-advisories to guide them in making ecological choices and practices in commemorating religious, cultural or social events that are normally characterized by crass commercialism, wastefulness and pollution.
2. Reduction of volume and toxicity of solid waste. The EcoWaste Coalition assists different institutions and establishments to reduce the volume of generated waste as a crucial part of zero waste resource management. The Coalition also continued to engage manufacturers and industries to shift to eco-friendly and non-toxic materials for their products.
3. Closure of dumps/landfills and stopping toxic contamination. The EcoWaste Coalition through its Dumps/Landfill continued to engage and dialogue with stakeholders, participate in public hearings and join protest actions to press the authorities to close down the illegal dumpsites as mandated by the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act. The Coalition also sensitized the public about the environmental and health implications of landfills and outmoded “collect dump” waste management system.
4. Public awareness on the hazards of waste burning. The EcoWaste Coalition through its Task Force Open Burning/ Incineration provides the public guides and possible alternatives to backyard burning, stopping the release of toxins in the environment and upholding the open burning prohibition under the Ecological Solid Waste Management Act.
5. Implemantation of incineration ban and opposing incinerators-in-disguise. The EcoWaste Coalition through its Task Force Open Burning/ Incineration stepped up its campaign to uphold the incineration ban under the Clean Air Act and continued to oppose incinerator technologies that are disguised on different names e.g. Pyrolysis, plasma arcs etc.
6. Stopping toxic waste trade. The EcoWaste Coalition is one with other civil society groups in opposing the Japan-Philippines Partnership Agreement (JPEPA) that will open the Philippines door to a long list of extremely hazardous and nuclear wastes from Japan, exacerbate toxics in the environment and undermining the efforts of different communities to achieve zero waste.
7. Promoting alternatives and encouraging the public and implementors to regulate/minimize the use of plastics and other disposable materials. The Task Force Plastics of the EcoWaste Coalition promoted the use of eco-friendly bags and containers to the public, highlighting the environmental impacts of palstics to health and environment and engaging different insitutions and establishments to minimize the use of single-use disposable plastics.

To view the EcoWaste Coalition blog, click here. To view their Multiply page, click here.