BALANGA CITY, Bataan — Impressed by the preservation undertaken by the local officials here headed by Mayor Joet S. Garcia, the Wild Bird Club of the Philippines (WBCP) has urged the municipalities lying at the Manila Bay area to adopt this city as model in protecting migratory birds as well as in promoting the importance of tourism.

The action of Michael Lu, president of WBCP, came in the wake of the recent hosting of Balanga City of the “5th Philippine Bird Festival” that was attended by thousands of people, including those from neighboring countries.

Lu said that in just a few years the city government, with the full support of Gov. Enrique “Tet” Garcia and Rep. Abet S. Garcia (2nd District), was successful in initiating programs and projects aimed at protecting migratory birds. They also launched the city as the top bird-watching destination in the country.

In support for its bird protection program, Department of Tourism (DoT) Secretary Ace Durano named Balanga as one of the 12 premier birdwatching sites in the Philippines as it launched a guide book for the country’s bird-watching destinations.

Lu pointed out that there are still many wetlands and mudflats around the Manila Bay area frequented by the migratory birds that should be taken care of by respective towns and cities.