Section 8Sec./Art. 8

Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Ecotourism Development and Management Plan. -The DENR and the DOT, in coordination with the DPWH and the TIEZA, shall jointly assist the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Development Council, herein created, in the formulation of the ecotourism development and management plan for the BWNP that shall be complemented by a set of guidelines for a responsible, community-based ecotourism. The ecotourism development and management plan shall ensure the preservation of the eco-park and shall include the following components:

(a) Carrying capacity of the eco-park and its migratory birds;

(b) Specific site assessment;

(c) Identification of strategic priorities;

(d) Product development for local income generation;

(e) Capacity-building for the local community to allow residents therein to ably manage economically viable and responsible, community-based ecotourism business enterprises;

(f) Support for the formulation of local production groups and networks, including the marketing and pricing of products;

(g) Marketing strategies that reflect the natural, social and environmental integrity of the BWNP;

(h) Regular water quality monitoring of the Talisay River;

(i) Management and maintenance of the mangrove areas;

(j) Solid and liquid wastes management; and

(k) Solutions addressing the problem of the declining population of the waterbirds as reflected in the annual waterbird census.

The process of developing the ecotourism development and management plan for the BWNP shall be participatory, from the bottom up, with the framework to be provided by the DOT and the DENR, in consultation with the Balanga Wetland and Nature Park Development Council herein created.

In order to protect the mangrove forest in the BWNP, the foreshore areas shall not be leased to any private entity.