Private and government sectors are faced with the dilemma of blending "Eco-Tourism" development projects with the ecology of the locality.

This is where most of the developers forget their corporate citizenship and social responsibility as they tend to visualize the project purely in terms of "dollars and cents."

While the government, in their eagerness to attract investors, turns a blind eye in approving the development of proposed "Eco-Tourism" projects which, more often than not, adversely affect the ecological balance of the locality.

A perfect example of such dilemma is the proposed Taal Island Spa Resort being built by the Korean firm Jung Ang Interventure Corporation near the mouth of the Taal Volcano, one of the smallest active volcanoes in the world.

Historically, Taal Volcano is one of our National Heritages that should be preserved as our legacy to the future generation being a "Volcano within a volcano."

With this as guiding principle and considering that the locality is a crater of an active volcano and classified as a permanent danger zone, the government should be critical to the following issues:

• Are land along that crater alienable to warrant award of land titles and if not who issued these titles?
• Granting the development of an "Eco-Tourism" project is allowed in the locality, what safeguards should be incorporated in the design development of the project to ensure the welfare and safety of the people and the preservation of the ecological balance of the vicinity?

These concerns need the political will of the government to implement existing laws and regulations. And provide a balance between economic growth, through "Eco-Tourism" projects and preservation of nature's ecological balance.

Undoubtedly, development of "Eco-Tourism" projects is a key factor in the economic growth of the country. Thus, the proposed Taal Island Spa Resort, if allowed, should consider the development aspects of the project to perfectly blend with the ecology of the locality.

Significantly, there is no need to destroy the hillside of the locality to give way for the construction of a road. I earnestly believe, the project does not need a road.

It would be more perfect to hear the chirping crickets while enjoying a relaxing spa than to hear the noise of tricycles and vehicles.

More so, it would be more exciting for the proposed Taal Island Spa Resort to be developed in the natural setting of the volcano. Tourists love to trek and after a day's trekking, there's nothing more delightful than to enjoy an invigorating spa with the ambiance of a steaming volcano.

And for those who could not walk the mile, isn't it more thrilling to go to the resort on a horseback or a ride in a cart pulled by a carabao gliding along the winding path of the forest towards the resort?

In business point of view, this scheme would lead into a mutually beneficial partnership between the local people and the developer. The residents are given a share of the economic gains brought about by resort. Aside from direct employment, the entrepreneurship of the local people is developed through the downstream industries of the proposed Taal Island Spa Resort.

In turn the corporate citizenship and social responsibility of the developer is enhanced, projecting a goodwill image of a corporation that cares.

A spa resort designed and built with the elements of nature along its natural path, has more allure than a resort built around a noisy and dusty road.

Hence, if we build the proposed Taal Island Spa Resort with the heart and beauty of nature, I am sure, “danger zone” or not, the Taal Island Spa Resort will have the allure and thrill of an exciting adventure and…they will come....!