Manila Mayor and presidential aspirant Isko Moreno announces plans for the new Manila Zoo at the flag-raising ceremony in City Hall. Standing to his left are Maricar Lat and Peter Olalia, both from the office of Secretary to the Mayor Bernie Ang.
Photo by JERRY S. TAN
Isko wants new admission rates, animal donations for Manila Zoo
MANILA Mayor and Aksyon Demokratiko presidential bet Isko Moreno yesterday said he has asked the Manila City Council headed by Vice Mayor and Presiding Officer Honey Lacuna and Majority Floorleader Atty. Joel Chua to come up with a city ordinance that would peg the new admission rates for the newly-renovated Manila Zoo which is expected to formally open to the public next year.
The mayor also asked kind-hearted individuals or groups to donate or lend animals, in addition to those that the city government had ordered so far.
Among others, Moreno said that that the new zoo will be acquiring flamingos which are tall, wading birds with long, slender legs and necks and thick downturned bills.
The mayor also said he is working on having another elephant to serve as a companion of 50-year-old Mali and which he would name ‘Posam.’ The words ‘Mali’ and ‘Posam’ are street slang for five (lima) and ten (sampu).
He also bared that the new, modern cages will enable the public to take a closer look at the animals.
“We have built modern cages, mukhang nature, hindi de kahon at ‘yung mga bata pwede nilang makita ang tiger nang face-to-face,” Moreno said, in reference to the new setup where only thick glass divides the visitors from the animals.
The new sewage treatment plant inside, Moreno said, is an added facility that would ensure that the zoo does not add any pollutant to the Manila Bay.
The Manila Zoo will have its soft opening on December 30, with the 1,300 construction workers and their families as the first visitors.
