Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso has announced that the newly renovated Manila Zoo will have its soft opening for construction workers on December 30.
"Magkakaroon tayo ng soft opening sa December 30 pero ito'y para sa mga construction worker, because gusto kong maparamdam sa mga anak nila yung ginawa ng tatay nila," he told DZRH on Monday.
(We will have a soft opening on December 30 but it will be for construction workers. Because I want them to let their children enjoy what their fathers built.)
The announcement comes days after the city's public information office teased a new image for the zoo, which Moreno can now be considered as a "botanical park."
"Ibang-iba na po siya ngayon. It became a park - a botanical park and a zoo. Ibig sabihin hindi ka lang pupunta roon dahil sa hayop," he said.
(This is totally different now. It became a park – a botanical park and a zoo. This means that you are not just going there for the animals.)
"'Yung matatandang puno buhay tapos yung bagong atraksyon diyan yung katulad sa Dubai - yung butterfly farm … 'Yung mga sisidlan ng mga hayop para maging maaliwalas sa hayop, mas mukhang nature yung iniikutan. Hindi na yung de kahon na nakakulong na lang yung mga hayop," he continued.
(The old trees are still alive and there is a new attraction there like in Dubai – the butterfly farm … the sanctuaries of animals are cozier and more nature-like. It’s not like the previous boxes where the animals are just caged.)
According to the Manila mayor, the new park is perfect for senior citizens, couples who may be looking for a prenup photoshoot venue, and students for educational tours.
Meanwhile, he added that the new park also has a newly installed treatment facility that could help reduce wastes deployed to Manila Bay.
Thanks to the cleaner water, Moreno said they are also looking into buying flamingos as a new attraction. They are also planning to acquire endemic animals that can be featured in the zoo.
Moreno said they have yet to decide on the final prices of the entrance fee, but tentatively it will cost P200 for non-Manila residents and P100 for Manila residents.
"But as much as possible we will try to make it - kakayanin ng bawat pamilyang Pilipino yung pasok sa Manila Zoo at siguradong sulit," he said.
(But as much as possible, we will try to make the entrance to Manila Zoo affordable and worth it for Filipino families.)
The city teased a new image of Manila Zoo, with new facilities for the animals and a statue for the elephant Mali, a well-known attraction in the zoo.
