Manila City

The much-awaited opening of the Manila Ocean Park is slated on Feb. 24 after its supposed opening late last year was delayed due to unfinished construction.

The opening of the park was originally set to open last December in time for the Christmas season but was moved to February since additional attractions were made, according to Tina Santos, the park’s marketing officer.

With the park’s construction, Filipinos will have the opportunity to view and learn more about its own marine riches.

The park has earned protests from animal rights advocates but both officials from Manila Ocean Park and the Worldwide Fund for Nature have signed last month a partnership which states that the marine park has “immense potential to create further awareness for the country’s marine issues.”

The officials of the marine park have promised not to show protected and endangered species unless these are captive-bred from Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species-certified farms and facilities.

The park also has a science research program, an empirical research on the development of a technology for coral propagation for reef rehabilitation.

Manila Ocean Park is the country’s first world-class and largest aquarium facility. It will showcase marine biodiversity from within and around the waters of the Philippines.

The park is owned by China Oceanis Philippines Inc., a subsidiary of China Oceanis Inc., a Singaporean-registered firm that has operated four oceanariums in China. PNA

Excertps from: http://www.tribune.net.ph/metro/20080210met5.html

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