Wednesday, November 28, 2007 Lapu resort seeks accreditation as nature-friendly establishment
ALTHOUGH known for being an upscale leisure destination in Cebu, Plantation Bay Resort and Spa is now actively positioning itself as one of the world’s nature-friendly resort.
This, as Plantation Bay seeks accreditation from the Green Hotels Association, an international group of environmentally friendly properties whose managers institute programs that save water and energy and reduce solid wastes while being cost effective.
“Preserving our country’s ecosystem is one of our primary efforts. We want to make sure that the resort adheres to environment sustainability where the next generation can still enjoy its surroundings,” said Ma. Lourdes Martinez-Onozawa, Plantation Bay’s architect and environmental planner.
Onozawa said Plantation Bay’s advocacy in environmental preservation began even before its inauguration in 1996, where it has chosen to integrate greening efforts in most aspects of the hotel’s operations.
“All our materials are sourced locally,” said Onozawa, adding that this makes Plantation Bay a Filipino resort and spa.
Indigenous
The resort uses indigenous materials like coconut ginit, bamboo, banig (weaved mat), Mactan marble and other locally sourced products.
Onozawa said the resort has refrained from using plastics, which is non-biodegradable and manufactured using fossil fuels.
The resort’s roads and concrete pavements are made of asphalt and gravel to allow water absorption and to regenerate the groundwater.
Instead of extracting sand, the resort has made use of readily available limestone, which is homogeneous with the lime bedrock in the area.
Onozawa said even the plants, trees and shrubs around Plantation Bay are found around Cebu.
Plants and trees like kalachuchi, coconut trees, green lilies, and spider lilies among others, are found all over the resort and were chosen because of its capacity to take in seawater, she added.
Seaweeds—with its ability to hold water and prevent the formation of fungus—is placed on top of plants so they don’t have to be watered as often, Ozonawa explained.
“Wastes are recycled and minimized,” she said in a press conference recently.
Used tea bags, coffee and dessicated coconut are scattered on the ground to drive away ants and similar pests.
Mangrove
The resort also uses burnt lime to drive away flies, enhance the soil, and get rid of smells in its compost pit.
To conserve water, Onozawa said the resort uses soap-free laundry water to water the plants.
Still in line with its environmental protection program, Plantation Bay launched its Visayas-wide Mangrove Restoration Trust, a conservation effort geared to protect the coastal ecosystem and prevent degradation.
Resort public relations officer Dianne Gandionco said Plantation Bay owners have opted not to develop the resort’s façade “to remind visitors that it used to be a swamp.”
“But look what it has become now?” Gandionco said.
Onozawa said the sus-tainability of the resort’s environmental protection program relies on the management and staff.
“It’s not all about the equipment but the discipline. Gaining people’s support requires a process where you address their basic needs first and they will eventually understand and support the bigger picture,” she said.
To raise awareness among the staff, Plantation Bay conducted an environment management program seminar for all department heads.
The resort is also planning to put up an interactive natural and historical museum. (MMM)
