LAOAG CITY -- About 23 baby marine turtles (pawikan) emerged from their nest near a picnic area in Barangay Pagsanahan Norte, Badoc, Ilocos Norte, and crawled into the open sea to begin their voyage from their birth place.
Villager Danlito Gamaio witnessed this Wednesday morning as he was supposed to gather seaweeds. He immediately reported it to the village chief and to the nearest office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR).
According to village residents, the coastal village of Pagsanahan in Badoc town is a favorite nesting place of sea turtle.
Through information drive from environmentalists, some people here have become aware that sea turtles are endangered species and must be protected.
Rhoel Valdez Marcelo, Ecosystems Management Specialist of the DENR, confirmed this on Thursday as he reported another villager Roman Madalipay narrated that on December 28 last year, he saw a sea turtle crawl toward the shoreline and dig a hole to lay its eggs.
The DENR was able to verify Madalipay's report as two other nests were found near where the hatchlings emerged.
To protect the nests from predators and poachers, the DENR has advised local officials and residents to immediately report it to concerned authorities so they could put up fence and help secure the area.
Over the years, local environment officials have been monitoring the stretch of Ilocos Norte’s shoreline from Badoc to Pagudpud towns for sea turtle nesting areas.
The provincial fishery division of the Ilocos Norte government and local government units have included in their information campaigns the conservation and protection of endangered species.
“The presence of sea turtles in Ilocos Norte is a manifestation of its rich and clean environment,” said Fishery Regulatory Officer Arthur Valente of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculture Office, who also helped in the release of the marine turtles on the same day. (PNA)
