Work program yet to be drafted for zoo upgrade

CEBU, Philippines - After the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia asked the Cebu City government to develop the City Zoo, a councilor emphasized that the administration has been planning the same since 2011 and that its implementation is now ongoing.

“Naa na among plano. Gihinay-hinay ni namo. Dili mana madali. Magbuhat pa og POWE (Programs of Works and Estimate),” said Councilor Ma. Nida Cabrera, chairperson of the Committee on Parks, Playground, Wildlife and Ecology and Environment.

Just this month, PETA sent a letter to the city government saying “all the enclosures at the facility urgently need upgrades.”

Cabrera said the present budget for the zoo is P10 million – P2 million for the walkways, P5 million for the nursery and P3 million for the animal cages.

PETA also emphasized in their letter to the city government that the cages for the animals in the zoo are too small.

“Many of the animals are being housed in severely inadequate cages. Although all the enclosures at the facility urgently need upgrades, our biggest concern is the lack of space allowing no freedom of movement for the monkeys, civets and snakes,” Jason Baker, PETA Asia vice president for international operations said.

Cabrera on the other hand said that they are considering the suggestions of PETA.

 However, the budget for their plan of developing the entire zoo entails P144, 855,107.50.

The amount includes the improvement of north entrance which costs P4, 627,500, south entrance which costs P6,063,000, public entrance area costs P29,521,445, camp site which costs P3,859,312.50, picnic grounds which costs P 3,607,800 and  herb garden which costs P10,823,50.

It also includes P22,425,000 for the fruit trees or wildlife host plants, P21,500,000 for the riparian area, P16,125,000 for the aviary, P7,125,000 for the animal cages area and P5,685,000 for the palm grove area.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said this coming Wednesday, zoo manager Giovanni Romarate will explain before the City Council the present situation of the place.

“(He) has to spell out the needs and how much the zoo needed to be able to meet the needs of the animals,” Labella said.  (FREEMAN)