In a heartwarming spectacle that brought together nature enthusiasts, residents, community leaders, the local government unit and employees of GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD) led the grand release of pawikan hatchlings in Morong, Bataan
A ceremony held at the Sagip Pawikan Foundation hatchery in Sitio Fuerte, Brgy. Poblacion, which marked the significant milestone entered into by the company as part of their ongoing efforts to protect and preserve the province’s marine biodiversity.
The group consists of the representatives from Bataan’s Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PG-ENRO), Provincial Tourism Office, Provincial Veterinary Office, Bataan Peninsula State University, Sitio Fuerte Sagip Pawikan Association, and GNPD’s Community Relations Department.
Governor Rafy Ortega-David stressed the fruitful partnership between the Bataan LGU and La Union LGU, which helped make the visit possible.
“Naniniwala kami na walang tourism kung hindi maayos ang ating environment dito sa La Union,” Ortega said.
“We value our commitment to our environment and allotted 60 percent of the department’s budget to environment-related projects to foster our corporate social responsibility,” said Arcel Madrid, assistant vice president for community relations of GNPD.
Carlos Tamayo, president of Coastal Underwater Resource Management Actions (CURMA), discussed about their methods in rehabilitating injured pawikans, and inspiring volunteerism in the province.
CURMA, one of La Union’s flagship associations in preserving marine life, is restoring a malnourished sea turtle in the facility.
The event drew a diverse crowd, including children, locals, public servants, and environmental advocates, as 270 baby sea turtles were released into the open sea.
In July of last year, GNPD inked a three-year agreement worth P4.3M with the Provincial Government of Bataan, PGENRO, and the Sagip Pawikan Foundation to adopt the said local hatchery.
The program is part of GNPD’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) flagship project called P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. under the letter “P” or Protect Marine Life arm.
Since then, the breeding ground has released a total of 10,926 hatchlings from a total of 15,587 pawikan eggs conserved. The adoption has already generated 158 pawikan nests, from which 107 have already hatched and released into the wild.
Out of the seven sea turtle species in the world, five can be found in the Philippines. Three turtle species, including Green, Olive Ridley, and Hawksbill turtles, make the shores of Morong, Bataan their nesting sites.
