Birdwatching park now an ecotourism zone in Bataan

BIRD HABITAT The Balanga Wetland and Nature Park in the Bataan capital city of Balanga is an important habitat for migratory birds, with at least 80 species recorded in the area facing the Manila Bay. PHOTO COURTESY OF OFFICE OF REP. JOSE ENRIQUE GARCIA III

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO—The Balanga Wetland and Nature Park (BWNP) in Bataan province, which is home to birds of different species, is now an ecotourism zone that offers livelihood opportunities to residents.

The park’s new stature came following President Duterte’s signing of Republic Act No. 11365 that declared that part of the coastal area at Barangay Tortugas in Balanga City as a “responsible, community-based ecotourism zone.”

“The law will allow Balanga to further develop its wetland park through the support of the Department of Tourism (DOT). We have used this park to help educate our schoolchildren to better understand and care for the environment,” said Bataan Rep. Jose Enrique Garcia III, principal sponsor of the bill in the House of Representatives. Sen. Cynthia Villar sponsored the bill in the Senate.

The law gives BWNP “priority development by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, DOT, Department of Public Works and Highway, and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.”

The park covers 153,578 square meters of mangrove forest and 187,500 sq. m of foreshore land. A least 80 species of mostly migratory birds have been recorded in the place, which faces the Manila Bay.

Since 2013, Balanga has been holding the annual “Ibong Dayo Festival.” —TONETTE OREJAS