𝐃𝐄𝐍𝐑 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝟐𝟑𝟑 𝐬𝐞𝐚 𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐁𝐚𝐲

𝐆𝐋𝐀𝐍, 𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐧𝐢 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 - A total of 233 Olive ridley sea turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), locally known as “pawikan,” hatchlings were freed in Sarangani Bay on Monday (July 3) by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region 12 and concerned stakeholders.

Dr. Rosalinda B. Cortez, community environment and natural resources officer (CENRO) of Glan, said that 164 pawikan hatchlings were released at Purok Bucana in Barangay Pangyan of this town while the other 69 were freed at Anvy Beach Resort in Barangay Taluya.

She said that they were joined by DENR Sarangani PENR Officer Maria Elvira V. Lumayag, Sarangani Maritime Police Station, Coast Guard Station Eastern Sarangani, and BS Marine Biology and Environmental Science students from Southern Philippine Agri-Business, Marine and Aquatic School of Technology (SPAMAST) in Malita, Davao Occidental.

Dr. Cortez also reminded the public on the importance of reporting any sightings of marine turtles, especially the rescued and their nesting, in the authorities. “The cooperation and active involvement of the community are crucial in ensuring the protection and conservation of these endangered species,” she said.

According to the DENR Administrative Order (DAO) No. 2019-09, which outlines the "Updated National List of Threatened Philippine Fauna and their Categories," marine turtle species, including the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles, are classified as endangered. Similarly, all wildlife species in the Philippines are safeguarded under Republic Act No. 9147 or the "Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act." (With report and photos from CENRO Glan IO Designate JCDumanon and EMSI MGQuisto) | 𝐑𝐒𝐂𝐈𝐆𝐌

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