BALANGA CITY , Philippines – Tourism Secretary Joseph “Ace” Durano yesterday vowed to promote Balanga City Nature and Wetland Park, the first protected wetland in Manila Bay, as premier ecotourism site in the country and a model bird sanctuary to create public awareness.
Speaking before some 5,000 students, barangay and city officials and bird watching delegates from local and six Asian and European countries at Bataan Peoples’ Center, Durano said the celebration of the 5th Philippine Bird Festival with the theme,” Ibong Dayo, Kaibigan Tayo,” so far the most successful and biggest gala festival in the country.
Durano said “I was amazed by black wing stilt with the most beautiful legs, colored red and unique character in the avian family when I first saw it in the fishpond located in the coastal village of Tortugas.” With all these nature gifts, the DOT would not only promote but partner in this endeavor of drumming public support for the conservation and awareness of the Balanga City Wetlands, Durano said.
Based on the survey of Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, Durano said the wetlands of Balanga attract one of the largest concentrations of migrant shorebirds and waterfowls anywhere in the country, they host the most number of wintering waterbirds escaping the harsh winter in Europe in any season.
Durano said that with the existing comprehensive City Development Plan and the DOT objective of spreading the benefits of tourism in the country, Balanga is sure to become a model tourism community in the Philippines.
Embarking on bird watching and pawikan conservation program, most beautiful work of art, Bataan enterpreneurs could start livelihood projects on souvenir, food processing and other small and medium industries to propel local economy, Durano said.
He lauded the local government officials led by Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III for creating a P5 million two-story Balanga Wetland Center to be equipped with library,bird watching binoculars,viewing decks and other amenities for local and foreign bird watchers.
Garcia said the city government is allocating P30 million for the development of the Wetland Center to make it more conducive, comfortable and memorable to visitors who normally stay for a week.