Cebu to have ocean park soon

CEBU, Philippines - A one-hectare Cebu Ocean Park where people can enjoy an Oceanarium, an amphitheater for Sea Lion and Dolphin shows and a jungle trek will soon rise at the South Road Properties.

SRP Management Office Manager Roberto Varquez said the construction of the Cebu Ocean Park has started last month.

“Ang Cebu Ocean Park project nagsugod na sila sa pile driving para sa buildings, more or less one hectare ni nga area nga gi-lease nila sa SM. This is beside Calungsod chapel,” he said.

Varquez said the project is expected to be completed by October 2017. He said Cebu Sealife Inc. leased the area from SM Supermalls. Cebu Sealife Inc. is also the group that brought Manila Ocean Park in the country.

Varquez said one of the special features of the Cebu Ocean Park is the Oceanarium with a walkway that will allow people to walk and view the scenery of a sea with its creatures like sharks.

He said the glass cave has an estimated 4,000 cubic meters of water. He said the whole Cebu Ocean Park will entertain and educate the people.

 “Di ko sure if bigger siya sa Manila Ocean Park but ang total area is one hectare kay I don’t (know) pila man ilang area,” he said, adding that this may be the first Ocean Park for Visayas and Mindanao.

He said this is one of the new things in Cebu that people could look forward to.

“For one, it’s really something new for Cebu. I think for Visayas and Mindanao this will be the first ocean park of that size especially nga were trying to attract local tourist,” he said, adding that it will add up to Cebu’s destination.

With this, Varquez said local and national tourists will have additional things to do in Cebu.

“Hopefully this can generate more tourists for us because we need to adapt things to see in Cebu,” he said.

Varquez said he has no idea how much would be the total project cost but the building would likely costs over P400 million. SM is also planning to put up a giant Ferris Wheel at the SRP similar to that of the SM Mall of Asia.

“Nangita na sad sila ug area asa ibutang ilang big Ferris Wheel, no identified space but interested lang ang SM,” he said.

Varquez said Mayor Michael Rama is also planning to develop an area within the city for the establishment of a “better zoo.” — (FREEMAN)