The Asian Development bank (ADB) has partnered with the Department of Tourism (DoT) in preparing a tourism development project for both El Nido and Coron in Palawan.

The partnership is in line with the multilateral lender’s thrust of supporting sustainable environmental programs in member countries.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat lauded the ADB support: “Palawan is known as the country’s last ecological frontier and we want to ensure its rich marine ecosystem, particularly in El Nido and Coron, will be protected amid the rapid growth in tourist demand.”

ADB Country Director for the Philippines Kelly Bird said the partnership reflects their intention to share the country’s goal of steering local economies through an environmentally sustainable path.

“This project is critically important for ADB because we share with the Philippine government the goal of seeing local economies thrive on an environmentally sustainable path. Tourism, when managed properly, can be a catalyst for inclusive development that can lift residents of El Nido and Coron out of poverty,” Bird said.