Investor eyes one hectare world-class marine theme park at Cebu City’s SRP

Tourists swimming with whale sharks in Cebu (Shutterstock) DISCLAIMER: It is not advisable to swim closely to whale sharks.

CEBU CITY — An investor has expressed interest to develop one hectare of the Cebu City government-owned South Road Properties (SRP) into a world-class marine theme park, an official said.

SRP Management Office chief Roberto Varquez said the unnamed company wants to build the oceanarium within the 30-hectare property owned by SM Prime Holdings Inc.

This is the site of the P8-billion SM Seaside City Cebu which is expected to open on the latter part of next year.But Varquez said a formal proposal has yet to be submitted before the SRP Management Office.” SRP will now have a wide coverage. It would become a real township,” said Varquez. Originally, the investor planned to put up the oceanarium at Kawit Island, which is now linked. However, Varquez said that it did not push through because the City Government had other plans for Kawit Island.

The city wants to establish a P30.4-million artificial white sand beach in the area.

Varquez said the investor expressed interest to invest at the SRP after learning that SM wants to expand its development in the area.

SM earlier made a pronouncement to buy and develop the 26-hectare lot where the temple for the thanksgiving mass of the canonization San Pedro Calungsod stands.