Free entrance at Manila Zoo for whole of January

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Thursday announced that the newly rehabilitated Manila Zoo is granting free entrance to the public for the whole month of January.

"Bukas na po ang Manila Zoo. Libre na po siya for the entire month of January," Moreno announced at the soft opening on Thursday.

(Manila Zoo is now open. The entrance is free for the entire month of January.]

Moreno said the zoo's capacity at a given time, as well as its opening and closing hours, had yet to be determined.

“Antabayanan po ninyo anong dami lamang na tatanggapin in a given time ," Moreno said.

[Wait for the announcement on the zoo's capacity at a given time.]

"I-aannounce namin anong oras magbubukas ang Manila Zoo sa umaga at anong oras magsasara ang Manila Zoo sa gabi ),” he added.

[We will announce when will the Manila Zoo open in the morning and in the evening.]

Moreno said the zoo would be open even after dark to feature a "night safari."

More animals will be added, he said.

"Huwag kayo mag-alala dahil lumaki ang espayo ng sisidlan o kulungan ng mga hayop. Mamimili pa tayo ng hayop at mangunguha pa tayo ng mga animal. At maghahanap pa tayo ng mga buwaya at mga tsonggo at unggoy," Moreno said at the soft opening of the Manila Zoo, now known as the Manila Zoological and Botanical Garden.

[Do not worry because the space of containers or cages for animals has increased. We will buy and get more animals. Will look for crocodiles and monkeys and monkeys.]

Moreno also revealed of plans to open the Manila Zoo at night.

"Hindi lang sa araw makikita ang Manila Zoo. Ito ay magbubukas kahit sa gabi. Kaya hindi niyo na kailangang magpunta sa Zingapore Zoo or what they call Night Safari," he said.

[Manila Zoo will not only be visible during the day. It will open even at night, so you don't have to visit the Zingapore Zoo or what they call Night Safari.]

Following the recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Moreno said Manila Zoo, which occupies 5.5 hectares of space, will have a capacity of 6,257 people if the two-meter distancing is followed, and 9,842 if one-meter distancing is implemented.

Manila Zoo's reopening coincided with the 125th anniversary of national hero Jose Rizal's death anniversary.

In a statement, Moreno urged private companies to follow suit with the Supreme Court mandamus to clean up, rehabilitate and preserve Manila Bay.

“So, I’m happy that the City of Manila through Manila Zoo is a compliant facility to the DENR's requirement and to the Mandamus issued by the Supreme Court. At least we could now urge private companies that are not yet complying to follow suit,” Moreno said in a mix of Filipino and English in an interview.

In December 2008, the Supreme Court issued the mandamus to 13 government agencies to clean up, rehabilitate and eventually preserve Manila Bay.

Opened in July 1959, the more than 60-year-old Manila Zoo is run by the local government of Manila. —NB, GMA News