CLARK FREEPORT—A P2.7-billion water- theme park is under construction here, and is expected to be completed by December 2016, an official of a Taiwanese-Filipino company said on Friday.
Dr. Irineo G. Alvaro, president of BB International Leisure and Resort Development Corp. (BBI), said the Aqua Planet water-theme park is rising on a 7.6-hectare area as their firm vowed to provide “a new benchmark” in the leisure, games and entertainment industry in Clark.
“We want to provide something that is not yet in Clark, that’s why we are creating a water-theme park, instead of a golf course,” said Alvaro, who spoke to the members of the Capampangans in Media Inc. on July 15. “We truly believe Clark is the next frontier. That’s why we are doing our part to make it a premier destination.”
Alvaro said their water-theme park “is designed by the best Taiwanese engineers and architects, including a professor from Harvard University.” He added they will hire at least 600 workers for Aqua Planet.
“Aqua Planet is an original concept. It’s worth visiting over and over again when it’s done,” he added.
Alvaro said their target markets are “70-percent locals and 30-percent foreigners.” Residents of China and Taiwan are their top clients.
He added that, based on a study, the clients of Hong Kong Disneyland are “38-percent to 40-percent Filipinos.”
“Why don’t we do something that will make Filipino families stay and have a grand vacation in our own country than travel elsewhere?” he said.
In 2006 BBI was given the rights to develop a 122-hectare land in Clark, part of which is the area for Aqua Planet. Alvaro said BBI is planning to invest close to P20 billion for the integrated complex inspired by the Sentosa Island in Singapore.
Among the planned projects are the Holiday Hotels and Villas, Land Theme Park, and the Central District Outdoor Recreation and Equestrian Trail.
Alvaro said their integrated complex “was designed to make people stay longer in Clark.”
BBI is also the owner of the P4-billion Midori Clark Hotel and Casino, which is regarded as the first five-star hotel in Pampanga and Central Luzon. It sits on a 4-hectare property, not connected to the 122 hectares.
“We really want the casino to be far from children. We separated the two,” Alvaro said.
He added they are constructing two more buildings in Midori with 200 hotel rooms. The projects are also set to be completed by December. BBI will hire 1,400 workers for Midori when it’s fully operational.