“I’m supposed to announce this next week, but I opted to make the announcement today because I believe the Aqua Planet should be advertised all over the country,” he said during his speech at the opening ceremony of the P2.5 billion water theme park here.
Cauguiran announced seven new destinations of Philippine Airlines (PAL) and fi ve destinations of Philippines Air Asia (PAA).
PAL will start new routes from December 1 and 15, he said. Two in Bicol – Masbate and Catanduanes, two in Samar – Calbayog and Catarman, two in the Visayas – Bacolod and Bohol, and another in Mindanao – Cagayan De Oro.
He said PAA will have fi ve new destinations and additional destinations starting December 16 and in the third week of January.
These are Caticlan and Puerto Princesa and will also increase its Davao fl ights from Clark and will have new destinations in Iloilo and Tacloban, Leyte.
“Dapat malaman ng buong bansa na mayroong ganitong theme park dito (The whole country should know that there is this kind of theme park here),” Cauguiran said.
The 10-hectare Aqua Planet water theme park, which has at least 25 state-of-the-art water facilities, is touted to be one of the biggest in Asia. The opening was a three-day event from November 23 to 25.
Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and CEO Noel F. Manankil also expressed his felicitations to Aqua Planet.
“We congratulate BBI because Aqua Planet adds to the tourism infrastructure for Clark,” he said during the tour of the facilities.
“Surely, this will be one fi rst class attraction for Clark and it will really help our tourism and the airport,” he added.
“Now there is a reason to stay in Clark and this is only the fi rst phase,” declared Dr. Irineo “Bong” Alvaro Jr., chair and CEO of BBI which owns and developed Aqua Planet, as he led a toast to the facility.
