THE largest oceanarium in the country will soon open in Cebu City, and Mayor Edgardo Labella has appealed for Cebu City residents to be prioritized during the job hiring.
“I appealed to them, not demanded, to give preference to our residents,” said Labella.
The mayor, in a meeting with the management of Cebu Ocean Park on Friday, July 26, 2019, said he was assured by the park’s management that they would hire locals to be animal handlers.
Armi Ruby Marie Cortes, vice president for sales and marketing of Manila Ocean Park, said 90 percent of the park’s employees are from Cebu.
Cebu Sealife Park Inc. is the same team that built the Manila Ocean Park.
Cortes said about 200 employees will be hired during the first year of operation of the Cebu Ocean Park.
Labella said that during the construction phase of the facility, majority of the 600 workers were residents of the city.
He said the operators of Ocean Park have executed a Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of Education (DepEd) to conduct lessons to the students for them to be aware of the state of the marine life in the country.
“Very encouraging, not just for entertainment.... It’s good for the economy of Cebu City,” said Labella.
The mayor hoped that with the opening of the new tourist spot, more Cebuanos will get a job.
The opening of the park, Labella said, will bring more economic activity to the city, such as business for taxi cabs, hotels and other establishments.
Also present during the meeting was architect Florante Catalan, head of the Office of the Building Official.
Labella requested Catalan to expedite the release of its occupancy permit when it opens.
The facility is located along SM Seaside City Cebu Complex.
The Cebu Ocean Park boasts the largest oceanarium in the Philippines. Seven meters deep, it also showcases a 360-degree viewing tunnel that houses thousands of the world’s marine species.
Guests could also witness other animals such as lorikeets, reptiles and insects at the Jungle Trek and Creepy Critters, as well as get the chance to get close to the animals at the Fish Spa, Bird Feeding, Stingray Interaction and Crocodile Cage encounters. (JJL with PR)