DAPITAN CITY -- Former Zamboanga del Norte representative Romeo G. Jalosjos revealed his development plans for his native city of Dapitan upon his return here.

Jalosjos bared his plans for a P2-billion theme park called "Gloria's Fantasyland," which he said will feature "interactive rides" at an affordable price. The park is about to be opened next month.

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The former congressman, who spent 13 years in prison for statutory rape, said the theme park will be the "Disneyland of the Philippines," but will be for the less privileged "so they can experience the amenities without having to go to Hong Kong, Japan, or the United States."

He said the project will be located next to the Gloria de Dapitan entertainment complex, adding that a bank is lending him the money since it sees the viability of the project and has initially approved P500 million.

Dindo Ilagan, amusement park director of Gloria de Dapitan entertainment complex, said the Fantasyland features brand-new imported rides, like the giant roller coaster, mini train, choco cup ride, midi flume ride, carousel, Apollo, bumper car rides, horror house, and swinger.

Among the most entertaining features are the "interactive rides," such as Happy Journey, Telecombat, Fight Shark, and World of War, which "fight back or counteract a rider's action," he said.

Ilagan said the theme park will open tentatively on May 29, in time for the opening of the Hudyaka ZaNorte Festival, Zamboanga del Norte province's grand festivities that the city is hosting for the first time.

Construction of the Fantasyland started middle of 2008 under the supervision of a rides safety expert Michael Cintora from California, USA. It was Cintora who helped assemble the rides and conducted safety and maintenance training to the engineers of Gloria's Fantasyland.

Construction of the rides is now about 90 percent complete.

Jalosjos said he is also putting up a four-star, 12-storey hotel, with 360 rooms, in the last quarter of this year.

He said it will be called the Casa Real Hotel in honor of the house of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal. Construction will run for 24 months and may cost P1.2 billion.