City eyes to convert Compania Maritima into an aviary park

COMPANIA MARITIMA
CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA

The Cebu City government is willing to settle a case with the Cebu Port Authority (CPA) concerning the ownership of the six-hectare lot where the old Compania Maritima building is located.

A formal proposal is on the process to lease the area and convert it into an aviary or a large enclosure for birds and a walk-in park with an outdoor cafe. It will be a public-private partnership (PPP) project.

“This property is in court because Rama claimed ownership and the court said, why don’t you get into a settlement?” said Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

To recall, former mayor Michael Rama questioned the claim of CPA and asked the latter for documents to prove their ownership of the lot.

Osmeña said he arranged a meeting with CPA to discuss the project.
He said an investor also showed interest in the project.

“(He is) Chris Ang. He has plenty of birds there. As far as I am concerned, he has roots here, he is licensed by DENR to have birds,” he said.

The mayor said Ang is willing to house his birds on the planned aviary. It has tourism potential, he said.

As to when the project will begin, Osmeña said there is no timetable yet.

On his Facebook account, Osmeña uploaded the visual presentation of the project.

As of press time, the video has gained over 51,000 views.

“It is very nice and it is good for Cebu and I think it will draw a lot of people especially our children. There is nothing like this in the Philippines,” he said.

He said the city can make money out of the project.