Limlingan: Ocean misadventures

OCEAN Adventure Theme Park, one of the most popular tourist destination at the Subic Bay Freeport Economic Zone is closing down. The sad news has been revealed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) and is due to multiple violations on the lease contract committed by the Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium Inc. (SBMEI) which operates the said water theme park. The park, more popularly known as "Ocean Adventure" is one of the pioneer tourism and theme park investors at the freeport. The whole complex has a beach front, a hotel, a scuba diving center, a marine sanctuary, some large aquariums exhibiting various marine animals and corals and shops. The theme-park is also known as the clinic for rescued water animals in distress, lost or swept near the area. It’s also a laboratory for those who wanted to study aquatic life and an observatory for marine problems like pollution. Aside from such, ocean adventure is also known for field and study trips of students from central luzon and metro manila. They go there by bus and in big groups. Aside from the entertainment and amazement, the park also provides educational benefits for them. For vacationers, they can book in the park's hotel and get cool in the beach fronting it. They can also stay in its nipa hut cabanas and enjoy the breeze coming from the sea. It has a dive center to boast where personalities can learn to dive or enhance their diving skills. Sadly, the said destination will now slowdown in its operations due to some violations including illegal subleasing, illegal construction, waste disposal problems and unauthorized road closures. The SBMEI also has arrears from payment of its lease. This despite the fact that it is earning and evidently has the capacity to pay. The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) is trying to extend its hand to the SBMEI for some possible negotiations and settlement of the problems. The latter however seems to be adamant in fulfilling its obligations. According to the SBMA management, it is fair in treating the problem with SBMEI to the extent of giving ample opportunity and considerable amount of time to sit on the negotiating table. When an investor is shutting down or leaving the premises of an economic zone, the latter is also at the losing end. When business partnerships collapse, both parties lose their opportunities to profit. When negotiations and re-negotiations fail, it’s an eventual business tragedy. Opened in the year 2000, the ocean adventure has been a part of the memories of the many. Contrary to its name, it is suffering from its misadventures now. Despite the fact that the freeport has many destinations for tourist local and foreign alike, the eventual shutting down of the said park is a loss for all. *** My congratulations go to Liga ng mga Barangay Pampanga Chapter President Renato "Gabby" Mutuc. He is the Punong Barangay of Balucuc, Apalit, Pampanga which has been recently declared as drug-free by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Philippine National Police. Kap Gab is known to be an advocate of a drug-free, peaceful and orderly communities. No wonder he was elected to head the Liga of barangay captains in Pampanga. His efforts to further improve and develop barangays in terms of socio-economic conditions are not futile because of his self-less and dedicated public service. *** For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 0921-3636360 or send email at dencious@gmail.com

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