BOI okays P1.1-B ocean park proj

The Board of Investments (BOI) has approved the P1.1-billion theme park venture of China Oceanis Philippines, Inc. as a pioneer tourism project.

The proposed Manila Ocean Park will be built on the existing 1.2-hectare Luneta boardwalk platform facing Manila Bay and at the back of the historical Quirino Grandstand.

The proposed ocean park will consist of an oceanarium, a marine discovery park, promenade areas, a boardwalk and a pavilion (theme and landscaped).

The venture aims to achieve two major goals for the country.

First, to become a major tourist destination in the Philippines and in Southeast Asia with a state-of-the-art oceanarium complex complemented by a marine life themed cultural, lifestyle and entertainment pavilion, and park facilities.

Second, it aims to create a grand "people’s park" along the bay for both local and foreign tourists to enjoy.

The project is designed to support the thrust of the Philippine Tourism Authority as well as the City Government of Manila to revitalize the area.

The main feature of the Manila Ocean Park is the state-of-the-art oceanarium that will contain thousands of sharks, colorful tropical fishes of various species and invertebrates indigenous to the Philippines.

The state of the art facility will have a transparent acrylic-made tunnel to provide visitors the experience of walking underwater and viewing the sea creatures.

The oceanarium will be a unique and world class educational and entertainment complex dedicated to showcase the rich and diverse marine life of the Philippine aquatic environment.

The park will also feature a "Jungle Trek", "Seven Seas" and "Lost Atlantis".

The 3-storey bay pavilion, with 15,566 sqm. floor area, will have retail shops, souvenir shops, restaurant facilities and a plaza for special shows and activities.

The top of the pavilion will be an open-air area with especially designed tarpaulin roofing which will house a big food court offering Filipino and Southeast Asian cuisines.

The marine discovery park will be landscaped with fountains and marine life.

This part of the theme park will be made available to the public for free.

The Manila Ocean Park project is a joint undertaking of Singaporean, Malaysian, Chinese and Australian proponents led by the China Oceanis Group.

With this endeavor, the joint venture is committed to contribute to the development of Philippine tourism.

Furthermore, its supports the thrust of the Philippine government in preserving the environment, generating employment for the people and boosting the economy by bringing in tourism revenues and generating additional revenues for the government.

Trade and Industry Secretary Peter B. Favila welcomed the new tourism venture which is expected to perk up further the economic activity in the Manila Bay area.

"The project jibes well with the economic program of the city especially its ‘Buhayin ang Maynila’ program. Roxas Boulevard is lined with first class visitor facilities and the upcoming theme park will be a big boost to the country’s tourism program which will cater to both local and foreign visitors," Favila said.

Trade Undersecretary and BOI Managing Head Elmer C. Hernandez said the project is expected to create 1,830 new jobs. "Thus, the new project is beneficial not only to tourism but to the labor sector as well," Hernandez said.

Hernandez said that the BOI is biased to projects that generate not only investments but also to ventures that offer new jobs to the Filipino people.

The theme park is projected to open in February 2008.