Poe comes to Malabon Zoo’s aid

MANILA, Philippines — Sen. Grace Poe has extended financial assistance to the Malabon Zoo Foundation, which has closed its doors to visitors for the first time in 31 years since the COVID-19 pandemic started.

“The pandemic has affected all of us, including the countless numbers of animals which have gone hungry and have been forgotten,” Poe said. “I think we always remember our first visit to the zoo where the guide educates us on how animals around the world should be looked after.”

Malabon Zoo founder Manny Tangco welcomed Poe’s help through the non-government organization Panday Bayanihan.

The zoo is known for its cheaper entrance fee, charging just enough to feed the animals and pay the salary of its housekeepers.

“Malabon Zoo has always made sure that it remains accessible to everyone, especially the students. This time around, it’s our time to take care of them when they need help,” Poe said.

Tangco opened the zoo as a passion project in response to the rapid deforestation he witnessed around the country, where he would see a particular island that had a forest one day and which was gone the next.

“I decided to open this zoo as a leading classroom for children to learn to love nature by giving them a first-hand experience in looking into the eyes of a tiger,” he said.

The privately owned zoo relies on admissions as its source of income. Since the lockdown, Tangco has been using his own savings and even borrowed money from his relatives to sustain the animals’ food and the zoo housekeeping.

Given the unfavorable conditions due to the pandemic, Tangco implored others to help people first while also hoping that they would remember to show compassion to the animals.

“Throughout the year, nature provides us with food, clothing and shelter. If you happen to have extra funds, kahit barya lang (even loose change), please consider donating it to the animals of Malabon Zoo,” he said.

Tangco assured the public that all the animals housed in the zoo are doing well.

The Malabon Zoo Foundation accepts donations through BPI account no. 4641-0003-32.