Power bills row causes closure of aquarium

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu’s newest tourist attraction, the Mactan Island Aquarium in barangay Basak, Lapu-Lapu City, ceased operations yesterday following a conflict between the building owner and the aquarium operator over the payment of power bills.

The FREEMAN visited the place after receiving a text message about its closure yesterday afternoon.

At present, the operator of the aquarium is using a generator to provide power and keep the fishes and other marine animals alive.

Lucille Taylor, proprietor of the Mactan Island Aquarium, who is married to British Marine Biologist Dylan Taylor, told The FREEMAN that the building owner cut their power line starting yesterday morning.

She admitted that she and the owner of the building their aquarium is occupying had a conflict over the payment of their power bills.

It was learned that a common power meter was installed in the building and the occupants pay their monthly bills directly to the building owner.

Lucille said the problem started when she protested over the increase in their power bills, which, she claimed had indiscriminately increased from just more than P15,000 to more than P18,000.

She added that they are renting the ground level of the building at P50,000 per month.

Yesterday, a number of people who want to visit the place were dismayed when informed of its closure, including students from southern Cebu who came just to see and learn from the sea animals in the aquarium.

Mactan Island Aquarium features a collection of aquarium exhibits that take visitors on an underwater tour through the seas and rivers of the Philippines.

Upon arrival at the underground level of the landmark building in barangay Basak, visitors are guided by marine biologists that work at Mactan Island Aquarium, introducing them to the different animals such as seahorses, and sharks, and explaining to visitors how they live in the wild.

There is a strong education and conservation message too, as the aquarium guides also inform visitors of the threats and problems faced by the Philippine underwater ecosystems such as dynamite fishing and pollution and what we can people do about it.

The owner of the aquarium is planning for a captive breeding project for seahorses and clownfish. Officials of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) have already indicated their full support to the plan, as it will be beneficial in spreading a conservation message to the people.

Lucille admitted that when they arrived in Cebu last year, they put up the aquarium not only for profit but to show the people how important is the protection of marine resources.

With the stoppage of its operation, she hopes that they can locate to another place so they could continue to educate the students and other visitors.

The FREEMAN tried to get the side of the building owner but she was allegedly not available for comment. — Jose P. Sollano/WAB (THE FREEMAN)