2. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 2
company overview
Roberts & Rose Mariculture Corp (RRM), a
proprietor-owned and registered Philippines
corporation, is poised to launch an eco-resort
alongside a major sea cucumber farming and
global distribution business. Company facilities are
ideally located on 15 square miles in one of the
most biodiverse and pristine marine ecosystems in
the world.
The company’s business and environmental
management plans are supported and endorsed as
a “for-profit, sustainable and culturally worthwhile
venture” by the ECAN (Environmentally Critical Area
Network) Board of the Municipality of Busuanga,
Province of Palawan. The mission of RRM is to
leverage competitive differentiating advantages to
become a distinctive outdoor recreation and
relaxation resort providing excellence in comfort
and service at non-exorbitant prices.
Corporate and Legal Structure
Roberts & Rose Mariculture Corp fully conforms to
the Philippine foreign investment and ownership
laws and regulations of the Republic Act 7042 –
also known as the Foreign Investments Act. The
company qualifies as a new export business
through the Board of Investment (BOI) and
Department of Trade and Industry, which enables
the following:
• Tax exemptions for the first six years of
operation; and
• Exemptions from payment of import
duty and value added taxes (VAT) on
new and secondhand imported goods
and equipment for the development of
RRM’s fixed assets.
Eco Resort Concept
The eco-tourism project proposed by TM Roberts
and RA Rose is ideally located in one of the world’s
most bio-diverse marine ecosystems within the
Calamian Group of Islands in the Philippines.
Despite the area’s ecological importance, the
company’s eco-resort and aquaculture business
and environmental management plan have been
highly recommended and endorsed as a profitable,
sustainable and culturally worthwhile venture by
the ECAN Board (Environmentally Critical Area
Network) of the Municipality of Busuanga, Province
of Palawan. All facilities and practices will be
designed and managed to meet or exceed ISO
14001 standards.
The proponents will build a unique eco-resort
adjacent to its sea cucumber project at
Desambuang with cottages that are a blend of
traditional Filipino and European accommodation
that provide exhilarating views of surrounding
mountainous islands. The resort will be situated on
a beachfront hill surrounded by pristine marine
coral habitats ideal for outdoor hiking, diving,
fishing and sailing. Each cottage will be able to
accommodate four people. The resort will also
include recreational facilities and functional rooms
for guest enjoyment and convenience.
Guests will have access to jungle trails, scenic
waterfalls at Concepcion, and unique local wildlife
within the resort’s property, such as local birds,
monkeys and large bayawak lizards. Guests will
have the opportunity to visit the ruins of an old
Spanish fort on Culion Island and relax in the well-
known hot mineral springs at Coron.
3. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 3
Day trips by boat are also available to Calauit
Island game reserve where local and African
wildlife, such as crocodiles, zebras, Calamian deer,
giraffes, impalas and bearcats live in a natural
savannah setting. Visitors will be able to dive, fish
or sail within the resort’s 25 square-kilometre area
of inter- and sub-tidal sea leases, as well as visit
south sea pearl and sea cucumber farms. All of
these leases have been carefully selected to be
adjacent to marine parks and WWII wrecks for
diving.
The resort is just over an hour’s travel from Manila,
making it both accessible and retreated from the
busy capital. The Calamian Islands have several
historical landmarks and small fishing villages,
which are ideal for summer vacation or off-season
relaxation for both professional individuals and
families. Special educational programs will be
available for children, students and adults to
collect, identify and look after live marine animals,
as well as enrol in photographic, sailing and SCUBA
diving courses.
The following prospectus includes a descriptive
overview of the resort, background experience of
the management team, description of cottages,
details of the resort staff required, and financial
information relating to annual revenue, capital and
operating costs for the first two years. For ease of
presentation all costs are shown in USD with the
exchange rate at Philippine Pesos 42.00 = 1 USD.
Thomas M Roberts Robert A Rose
4. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 4
Mission Statement:
Ethical and Sustainable Eco-Tourism in the Philippines
Guiding Principles:
• To create a sound and sustainable hospitality business based on ethical governance that ensures
customer satisfaction with visiting a healthy coastal rural marine environment known for its
biodiversity and underwater WWII wreck diving and pearling industries.
• To construct a resort using best-practice, ecologically sustainable practices that help protect the
biodiversity of the local environment, including historical underwater landmarks.
• To build a rewarding vacation environment in Busuanga, Philippines that respects both Filipino and
non-Filipino cultural values.
• To grow the business through the consolidation of local, traditional knowledge and life styles and
contemporary understanding of global markets.
Disclaimer
The information in this document is intended to express the opinions of the proponents only. Financially
interested individuals or investment groups should understand that the information contained relates to an
eco-resort venture at the developmental phase and involvement should be considered speculative. No
responsibility will be taken by the proponents of this document for the financial decisions or actions made by
others on the basis of the information contained within.
5. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 5
Figure 1. Desambuang Eco-Resort located of the on the eastern side of Busuanga.
Executive Summary
Overview
Roberts & Rose Mariculture Corp is a proprietor-
owned Philippine company created on the basis of
the strategic and commercial symbiosis of co-
locating an eco-resort with an aquaculture and
aquatic research facility in the bio diverse coastal
waters off Busuanga Island in the Calamian Group
northeast of Palawan, Philippines (Figure 1).
The ECAN Board (Environmentally Critical Area
Network) of the municipality of Busuanga,
Palawan Province, has recently endorsed the
construction of an eco-resort complex, a hatchery-
base camp and pier at Desambuang. Also,
included is the approval to utilize 240-hectares of
sub-tidal sea leases adjacent to the property as
personal access to the marine environment. This
endorsement is based on the company’s ethical
mission and technical ability to operate the eco-
resort and sea farm without damaging the
environment while meeting or exceeding all local
and international regulations and standards.
The company is planning to set-up an exclusive
eco-tourism resort on company land, adjacent to
the sea cucumber base camp. The resort and
farm will share electrical, water, road and
communication infrastructure. The environmental
plan for the eco-resort will meet or exceed
international ISO 14001 standards to ensure best
practice management.
Initially, the resort will consist of 20 tropical
cottages built to international standards. All
cottages will be free standing and built on a
hillside facing the sea with views of pristine inter-
tidal waters and coastal islands. Current plans
include construction of 12 additional cottages (4
cottages every two years, in years 3, 5 and 7).
Guests will have access to the company’s boating,
diving and accommodation facilities. Various
holiday activities designed for children, students
and adults will be provided. They will also have
access to a vegetable/herb garden, sporting
activities (e.g., horse riding, hiking, camping,
fishing) and a “hobby” or “student” research
6. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 6
facility with aquaria, microscopes, cameras,
reference books and computers. Divers can
partake in underwater sea life monitoring surveys
on the sea leases and marine parks with resort
staff.
A survey of resorts located near Desambuang
indicates that over-booking is a chronic problem
for diving resorts. This chronic over-booking
demonstrates that there is space in the local
resort market and we expect to enjoy high to full
occupancy rates during both high and low season.
Presently there are 3 hectares of terrain available
for a cottage style resort that includes hills and
valleys with seaside views and access to spring
water. After demonstrated success with the initial
20 cottages, there will be plenty of space and
market demand to support an expansion of ___
additional cottages.
Management team
The eco-resort will have two directors in
combination with the sea cucumber farm: Tom
Roberts, an expatriate American living/working in
the Philippines, and Robert Rose, an
Australian/American working in Australia and SE
Asia. Roberts is pearl farmer with resort business
experience. Rose is an aqua culturist with
experience in large-scale aquaculture projects and
in building and establishing self-sufficient, remote
area living and working base camps for farming.
All company office bearers are Filipino with
experience in international law and business
management and accountancy. The majority of
the company’s ‘foreign and national’ shares are
owned and controlled by the two directors.
Ivelle Legaspi, Resort Manager,
has worked over 11 years in the
hotel and communication
industries, since 1998, she has
worked at a number of
prestigious national and
international hotels in the
Philippines and Dubai, Arab
Emirates. Ivelle has worked as a
front desk and senior front desk officer, senior
customer care specialist and administration
manager at the following respective hotels and
communication companies: Days Inn Hotel
International; Angelo King International Center;
Digital Telecommunication and FK Manpower &
Training Center. Further, she worked as a Manila
sales and front desk manager at the Batangas
Country Club / Techno Park Hotel, a senior guest
service officer at the Sheraton Dubai Creek Hotel
& Towers, a Manila sales manager at the Paseo
Premier Hotel and a corporate sales manager for
Pontefino Residences.
Thomas M Roberts, Operations
Director, was the founder and
general manager of one of the
first dive resorts on Busuanga
Island 26 years ago, as well as
Pier House Resort, which is still
in business today. TM Roberts
has served as Director for
Portade Corp., and where he
trained management personnel in management
and sales for Batangas Country Club, Techno Park
Hotel and Premier Hotel. During this period, he
also consulted with Portade’s parent company,
Richaland Properties, to develop a retirement
village targeting foreign customers outside of
Manila. TM Roberts has relatives living in the
Philippines and over 25 years of work experience.
Educated in the USA, he has worked as an
archeologist diver, business manager/proprietor
of several companies involved in retail and
primary industry, and managed his family’s pearl
farming business operations in the region where
the company’s aquaculture venture is to occur.
Robert A Rose, Technical
Director, is a long-standing
business colleague of TM
Roberts. He will be responsible
for oversight of development
and on-going operations. RA
Rose is a professional aqua
culturist with a PhD in marine
biology and has developed and
consulted aquaculture and construction project in
several areas of the world, including Australia,
New Zealand, Tahiti, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Thailand, Tonga and the Philippines. He has over
20 years commercial experience in tropical, large-
scale sea farming and marketing, and has worked
in the Philippines with TM Roberts in the pearling
industry.
7. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 7
Financial Projections
Construction of Buildings and Facilities
Cottages will be designed to have a small carbon foot print and positioned to ensure there is maximum
natural ventilation and views. Construction will exceed standards necessary to withstand inclement weather
conditions. Current layout plans position resort cottages on a hillside and along side the of the planned sea
cucumber farm. There is a natural vegetative zone between the eco-resort and sea cucumber farm facilities
ranging from 100 to 150 meters in width to ensure there is no noise pollution.
Each unit will have ceiling fans and air conditioners, television, DVD, mini bar, refrigerator and tea/coffee
service. All units will have a full bathroom with washbasin, toilet and shower. At the reception, restaurant/bar
and corporate function room there will be wireless Internet available.
All accommodation will include transfer services between Desambuang Eco-Resort and Busuanga Airport.
Power will be primarily from the municipality electrical grid system and we will have a back-up resort
generator to ensure consistent power service. Addtionally, we are conducting feasibility analysis to
determine the potential for onsite renewable energy generation, such as solar or wind.
Cottages will be approximately 30 square meters with a concrete foundation, concrete walls, wood trimming
and tiled roof and floor. French doors and louvered windows with screens will be used for front and back
entrances to create cross ventilation.
Each cottage will have a lanai with a small patio and landscaping to provide privacy, attract birds and
enhance the tropical appearance of each unit.
The estimated cost to build a 30-square-meter, high-strength unit is US$25,000 per unit. This price includes
furnishing.
Annual Revenue from Accommodation
The pricing structure developed during the first year of operation will generate revenues within the first year
of just over $1,220,000 (Budget; Table 1) while at the same time remaining competitive enough to attract
guests and promote the resort as a unique holiday destination providing value for money. Eventually, the
eco-resort will develop a reputation as a place of relaxation uniqueness and outdoor recreation at non-
exorbitant prices.
High season for tourism in Busuanga is from October to June. Low season is during July, August and
September. We estimate that the resort will function an average of 350 days per year, with a high season of
260 days and a low season of 90 days.
Annual accommodation revenues are estimated at $1,401,200. Income generated from accommodation
during high season is estimated at $1,092,000: 100% occupancy in 20 cottages at $210 per night. Income
generated during low season is estimated at $259,200: 80% occupancy in 20 cottages at $180 per night.
Additional revenues from meetings and conventions are estimated at $50,000 annually
8. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 8
Annual Revenue From Non-Accommodation Sources
Sources of income beyond accommodation include diving, boating, fishing, food and drinks, banca tours, gift
shop sales, and other miscellaneous services. Non-accommodation income forecasts are derived from a
company survey on other resort rates in the Calamian Group during the high and low seasons.
Diving & Recreation: Diving activities range from: underwater photography, night diving, wreck diving,
deep sea / nitrox diving, globally recognized SCUBA diving courses (both SDI and PADI), and renting and
retailing of equipment. Dive rates are not dependent on season. Other miscellaneous recreation activities
include “banca” boat tours, kayaking, sailing and Jet Ski rentals.
Food & Beverage: Food during the high season is expected to provide revenues of $3,500 per day and
$2,000 per day during the low season.
Guest Services & Gift Shop: This includes a combination of retail from the gift shop and other
miscellaneous revenue sources. Income generated annually is estimated to be at $30,000.
Table 1. Summary of Estimated Revenue Years 1 & 2
Income Year 1 Year 2
Accommodation / Meetings & Conventions $1,401,200 $1,471,260
Diving & Recreation $1,017,000 $1,067,850
Food & Beverage $1,090,000 $1,144,500
Guest Services & Gift Shop $30,000 $31,500
Total $3,538,200 $3,715,110
Most resorts in Busuanga are focused specifically on underwater diving, generating their income mainly from
wreck diving. Desambuang Eco-Resort will offer diving, but in addition it will couple the dives with simple and
enjoyable photographic and visual environmental monitoring programs, which will be satisfying, educational
and interesting. The resort is approximately five minutes from one of the best shipwrecks in Busuanga and
15 minutes by boat from Sangat Bay to another large group of wrecks resulting from the battle of Sangat in
September 1944 (see Figure 1).
Guests at the resort that enjoy fishing will also be accommodated, as well as other land based activities,
such as, hiking and navigational training, painting, horse back riding, bike tours and endurance courses.
Capital Expenses
To establish the resort’s infrastructure a number of construction activities are required and can be divided
into three sections: site development; infrastructure up to complete refurbishment; and plant and equipment.
The cost of capital goods are listed in Table 1 and summarized below.
Infrastructure costs will include cottages, restaurant, staff quarters, reception, laundry, workshop, generator
shed, storage sheds, pier, retail shops, dive/boat shed, spa/pool and landscaping. The infrastructure costs
also include most of the contents of the buildings. Prices shown are derived from similar remote area
projects in SE Asia and from quotes.
Plant and equipment relate to: boats; diesel power generators; ski-jets; vehicles; dive gear; tools; office
equipment; and cabinets/desks.
9. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 9
Table 2. Captial Costs
Infrastructure
Engineering survey (job cost and travel) $24,000
Power lines/transformer/underground cables $100,000
Road/water (supply, storage and reticulation) $90,000
Power generation shed $25,000
Workshop $35,000
Restaurant/Bar $200,000
Staff Quarters/Ablution $90,000
Reception/Corporate Function Room $193,000
Diving/Boat storage shed $30,000
Concrete pier $87,000
Cottages (20 units) $500,000
Manager/ bungalows (2 units) $40,000
Retail shop and Pool bar $25,000
Landscape/lighting $50,000
Spa/pool (connected) $80,000
Infrastructure (furnished) Total $1,569,000
Plant & Equipment
Generator $100,000
Vehicles $80,000
Tools $10,000
Dive boats (2), Yamaha Wave Runners (3) $200,000
Banca (traditional native outrigger motor boat) $15,000
Dive gear and equipment $170,000
Outdoor furniture/Office cabinets/desks $13,000
Indoor Furniture & Fixtures $50,000
Lounge Bar Furniture & Fixtures $50,000
Start-up Supplies $25,000
Office Equipment (computers, software, phones) $12,000
Plant & Equipment Total $725,000
Other Capital Costs
Project and Site Manager Services $100,000
Construction Labor $75,000
Start-up Marketing Costs $25,000
Communications & Advertising $28,000
Work Visas & Travel Expense $39,000
Uniforms, Linens, Sanitation $16,000
Other Capital Costs Total $325,450
Total Capital Costs $2,619,450
10. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 10
Resort Operational Costs
The following cost calculations relate to resort staff and other overhead expenses.
Table 3. Operating Expenses
Administration $65,000
Housekeeping $39,100
Food Service $50,600
Buildings & Grounds $77,900
Recreational $79,500
Employee Benefits $62,420
Employee Training $5,000
Employee Room & Board $20,000
Other Employee Costs $1,500
Temporary Labor $5,000
Meeting & Convention Supplies $5,000
Transportation & Freight Costs $10,000
General Consumables $25,000
Equipment Repair and Maintenance $20,000
Building Repair & Maintenance $20,000
Grounds Keeping Expense $15,000
Housekeeping Expense $15,000
Small Equipment & Supplies $5,000
Cleaning Supplies $10,000
Utilities & Fuel $71,000
Taxes & Licenses $20,000
Insurance $50,000
Office Expenses $10,000
Telecommunications $18,000
Marketing Expenses $20,000
Information Technology $10,000
Professional Services $30,000
Contractors $100,000
Travel & Entertainment $25,000
Miscellaneous Expences/Contingency $47,900
Total $932,920
11. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 11
Table 3. Budget for Desambuang Eco-Resort
Income / Revenues Year 1 Year 2 Year 3
Investment Funds $3,000,000 0 0
Operating Revenues 0 $3,538,200 $3,715,110
Total Receipts $3,000,000 $3,538,200 $4,469,040
Capital Costs
Site Development $214,000
Infrastructure $1,355,000 $15,000 $150,000
Plant & Equipment $725,000 $8,000 $58.000
Other Capital Costs $325,450 $2,000 $5,000
Total Capital Costs $2,619,450 $25,000 $213,000
Operational Expenses
Wages and Employment $406,020 $414,140
Overhead $526,900 $537,438
Total Operational Expenses 0 $932,920 $951,578
Total Cash Outflows $2,619,450 $957,920, $1,164,578
Opening Bank Balance 0 $380,550 $2,960,830
Net Cash: Inflows less Outflows $460,000 $2,580,280 $3,304462
Closing Bank Balance $380,550 $2,960,830 $6,265,292
Profit
This business plan shows that the project is profitable with sufficient revenue to pay back the initial capital
investment of $3,000,000 by the end of the fourth year of operation. The proponents of this eco-resort are
currently developing a construction work schedule.
Project’s Sustainability
Having exclusive access to large sea lease areas that are protected for aquaculture will ensure that the
project has a renewable, pristine recreational environment representative of the famous natural marine
biodiversity known to occur in the Palawan Province. The project’s proposed best practice custodial land
management style will provide the resort every opportunity to be an economically, environmentally and
culturally sustainable business. Tourism within the Calamian Group of islands in northeast Palawan
Provence is anticipated to continue to grow, attracting both foreign and local tourists.
12. Commercially Confidential Information
RRM Eco Resort Prospectus 12
Contact information
Operations Director
Thomas M Roberts
Concepcion
Busuanga Island
Palawan, Philippines
Mob: 0920 981 5500
Email: tm.roberts11@gmail.com
Technical Director
Robert A Rose
8 Kelat Court, Bayview 0820
Northern Territory, Australia
Mob: 6140 208 2494
Email: bob@pearloyster.com.au
Resort Manager
Ivelle B Legaspi
Concepcion
Busuanga Island
Palawan, Philippines
Mob: 0917 418 4619
Email: ivelle.legaspi@gmail.com
Registered Office
Roberts & Rose Mariculture Corp
12th Floor Net One Center, 26th St. corner 3rd Ave.
Crescent Park West, Bonifacio Global City
Taguig City, Metro Manila, Philippines 1634
A complete Business and Operations Plan, with detailed 6-year financial projections are available to
prospective investors by contacting the directors above.