Two grandfathers, one from Davao City and another from Baguio, were among the first visitors during the opening of the refurbished Manila Zoo Monday, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said.

She said that the 2,000 allowable guests per day logged in early morning via manilazoo.ph during the first day of the facility's reopening.

Lacuna was accompanied by Parks and Recreation Bureau chief Pio Morabe, her spokesperson Atty. Princess Abante and executive assistant Evelyn de Guzman in welcoming zoo visitors.

She recounted that the senior citizen from Davao City told her that he was to stay only in Manila for three days and at the top of his agenda was a visit to the zoo.

The grandfather from Baguio also went all the way to Manila to treat his grandson to a day spent with the wild animals on display in the facility.

Lacuna said the entrance fees at the zoo are reasonable as other zoos charge double.

Based on an ordinance passed by the Manila City Council headed by Vice Mayor Yul Servo, ticket prices are as follows: Adult and child — P150 for Manilans and P300 for non-Manilans; Students — P100 for Manilans and P200 for non-Manilans; and city employees, P100.

Senior citizens and persons with disability get a 20 percent discount while children two years old and below may enter for free.

She added that the city cannot charge in such a way that the fees would already be disadvantageous to the government. She guaranteed visitors would not feel shortchanged because of the new attractions.

The zoo operates from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, with cut-off for the entry of guests at 6 p.m.