The New Manila Zoo is a worthwhile investment, contrary to what apparently brainless detractors say.
While initially, the P2 billion invested in its rehabilitation may sound huge, it is all well worth it, specially since the said zoo will serve as the show window not only of Manila being the capital city but of the entire country as well.
The said amount used for the project is recoverable. In fact, we project that the return of investment or ROI may be realized in a matter of three to five years only.
Before it was closed on June 1 to pave the way for finishing touches prior to full operations, Mayor Isko Moreno offered the zoo for free, first to the family of children who go there to avail of the COVID vaccines.
The zoo was used as a vaccination hub to encourage children to take the shots. In the process, her family may accompany her so that they could go around after vaccination.
Later on, the place was opened to the public, whether or not they are Manilans and whether or not they go there for vaccination purposes.
During those days, the number of visitors peaked up to 20,000 a day.
An ordinance passed by the Manila City Council pegged the admission rate at P200 per head for non-residents of Manila and P100 for city residents.
Granting that once formally opened, the zoo visitors will decline by half or 10,000 a day, this would still spell a revenue of P2 million a day or P60 million a month. This spells yearly earnings of P720 million and means that in less than three years, the P2 billion spent on it would have been fully recovered.
Still assuming that the enthusiasm of the public dies down over the years and the number of visitors is again cut to half, the 25 percent attendance from the original number will still be about P500,000 a day and thus, the P2 billion may be recovered in a period of six years.
The detractors, or those who have attacked the project without basis, apparently did not use their ‘coconuts’ and are mere blabbermouths. Better yet, Maritess.
It will be recalled that when the the city government undertook to develop a world-class zoo, the political foes of those currently holding the reins of administration in Manila City Hall caused an uproar, claiming overprice and similar baseless accusations.
When the people saw the grandeur of the New Manila Zoo, word about it spread like wildfire and soon, thousands were lining up to get a glimpse of the iconic tourist attraction. This was already the situation even if the facilities and animals are yet to be completed.
These are the kinds of things that separate the men from the boys. If government officials will cave in to detractors, nothing can be accomplished.
***
(Comments and suggestions may be emailed to peoplestonightonline@gmail.com.)
