Philippine officials eye disputed Spratly islands as a tourist destination
Source: 06-MAY-2008 Intellasia | IHT
May 6, 2008 - 7:05:00 AM A team of marine and eco-tourism experts has begun assessing the potential of transforming a Philippine-occupied island in the contested Spratly archipelago into an ultimate tourist hideaway, officials said.

The experts, who began their weeklong study Thursday, will study if Pag-asa, the largest of nine islands and reefs occupied by Philippine forces, could be turned into a dive spot and resort, Rosendo Mantes, mayor of island's township, said Sunday.

"If you want to leave the noisy world and be nearer to almighty God, then that is your place," Mantes told The Associated Press.

Pag-asa lies in the South China Sea about 480 kilometres (300 miles) west of the western Philippine province of Palawan.

The Philippine government in 1978 proclaimed Pag-asa and nearby Manila-claimed islands as the new township Kalayaan, attached to Palawan, to bolster its territorial claim in the potentially oil-rich Spratlys.

China, Taiwan, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei also claim parts or all of the Spratlys, which has been regarded as a potential flash point for conflict in Asia.

Mantes said security should not be a concern for potential tourists, citing past agreements between the Philippines and other claimant countries to avoid trouble and settle any conflict peacefully. The last violent clash in the disputed region, involving China and Vietnam, occurred in 1988.

"The crime rate there is zero. It's very peaceful," Mantes said of Pag-asa, the only Philippine-claimed island populated by civilians.

Journalists who traveled to the tropical island aboard an air force plane Friday saw long stretches of fine white sand beach, mostly empty, except for some passing soldiers.

Tourism officer Marcial Bolen, who is leading the tourism study, said he saw damaged coral outcrops while snorkeling in shallow waters off Pag-asa but added other areas have not yet been inspected.

Aside from Pag-asa, the smaller Philippine-occupied islands of Lawak and Likas could be developed for tourism. Lawak is a sanctuary for seagulls and other migratory birds while Likas is a haven for sea turtles, Mantes said.

Any tourism project should not provoke any protest because other claimant countries, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, have also similarly developed islands they control, he said.

A key problem is funding, which Mantes said could be provided by private investors.

A lack of efficient transport and communication has long isolated Pag-asa, prompting many villagers to stay most of the time on mainland Palawan province. The island has a 1,260-metre (4,133-foot) airstrip, which is under repair because of sea erosion, Mantes said.