Manila Ocean Park

[Juan Tamad]

Posted 05:29am (Mla time) April 26, 2005
By Leila Salaverria
Inquirer News Service

IN LESS than two years, Metro Manilans will be able to enjoy interacting with dolphins, sea turtles and other marine life in an ocean park at the Boardwalk behind the Quirino Grandstand in the Manila Bay area.

The foreign-funded park costing about $20 million is similar to those found in Hong Kong and Singapore.

The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) yesterday signed a memorandum of agreement with the Chinese and Malaysian consortium China Oceanis Group Ltd. (COGL) for the building of the Manila Ocean Park.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo was on hand to witness the signing between PTA Chairman Robert Dean Barbers and COGL's Lim Chee Yung.

Under the agreement, the COGL was given a 25-year lease to some parts of the PTA-owned Manila Boardwalk, and will shoulder the cost of building the facilities for the park which is expected to be open by December 2006.

Among the features of the park are open marine habitat facilities, dolphin feeding activities, a sea turtle area, a cactus garden and even a swimming area. The COGL would also build a plaza for special events and areas for shops and restaurants. They will also develop the park located in front of the Boardwalk.

The consortium will also pay a yearly rent of P16.5 million, with an upward adjustment every five years.

Barbers hailed the project as a major coup for the country because it is expected not only to enhance local and foreign tourism and to generate jobs for some 2,000 Filipinos, but to pave the way for further infrastructure development.

COGL director Lim Chee Yung said the park would also be used to advance the cause of marine environment protection.

And since a swimming area and snorkeling activities would also be available at the park, the consortium would be cleaning the murky waters around the Manila Boardwalk.

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Ano kaya naman ito??? Di kaya mamatay yang Dolphin sa pollution sa Manila Bay...

[bonch2484]

This would be a real attraction if this project would pursue.

[stinkaboy]

hmmm tiba tiba na naman mga opisyal nito :D

[mhelskie]

sana matuloy, at sana mejo luminis ang manila bay

[boybi]

sayang walang mga amusement rides kagaya sa hong kong. puro visual attractions lang.

[IceColdBeer]

Di kaya mawala yung mga isda at makita mong binibenta dun sa daungan o dampa hehehe.

[nugundam93]

cool! sana nga that'll be the start of a serious cleanup effort on the part of not just the gov't, but the people too.

[BlueBimmer]

ok yan pero i think hindi nila maabot target opening date end of 2006..hehe late yan im sure

[ILuvDetailing]

Sana di maapektohan traffic sa Roxas.

[chua_riwap]

Mabuhay kaya mga dolphins, seals, or yung killer whale (like Orca/Willy) sa dumi ng tubig ng Manila Bay?