The people of Balanga City in Bataan can look forward to a boost in their tourism industry with the signing into law of a bill declaring their coastal sanctuary as a responsible, community-based ecotourism site. “The enactment of this bill will redound significantly to the economic growth of the people of the City of Balanga and the Province of Bataan and to the tourism development in the area,” said Senator Cynthia Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Environment and principal sponsor of Republic Act No. 11365 or the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Responsible Ecotourism Act. “It will also further promote environmental sustainability considering that BWNP is a known sanctuary of birds and fish,” she added. The park covers 153,578 sq.m. of mangrove forest and 187,500 sq.m. of foreshore land in Barangay Tortugas.

Ramos-Araneta, M. (2019, August 21). Balanga wetland to boost economic growth, tourism. Manila Standard, p. B4.