In an effort to promote and strengthen turtle conservation efforts in the country, seven Biology students from Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) – Manila launched an environmental conservation organization called, ‘One Pawikan’.
Established in April 2021, the group routinely conducts series of webinars and joins online dialogues to stress the importance of environmental and sea turtle conservation in the Philippines.
In an interview with the Philippine Information Agency IV-A, founder Mark David De Guzman said they partner with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), local government units and other people’s organizations in managing and protecting sea turtle hatcheries in different parts of the country, including Barangay Labac, Naic, Cavite, Barangay La Paz, San Narciso, Zambales, and in Barangay Pag-Asa in Bagac, Bataan.
During the annual turtle nesting season, One Pawikan holds the Pawikan Patroller for a Day, an immersion project participated by youth, students, and professionals who want to experience the work of a ‘Pawikan Patroller’, and aims to teach them about the biology and proper conservation of sea turtles.
Last January 15, 2023, the Pawikan Patrollers from Barangay Labac, Naic, Cavite together with selected students from Pamantasang Lungsod ng Maynila, Universidad de Manila, and University of the East – Manila released the first batch of Olive Ridley hatchlings. (CO/One Pawikan/FACEBOOK)
“When we catch a nesting sea turtle, we will teach them how to retrieve the turtle eggs, at the same time, we will measure and weigh them and tag them before returning them to the ocean. Early in the morning, we will release the turtle hatchlings,” De Guzman explains.
But the work doesn’t end there. According to De Guzman, in 1,000 sea turtles released into the wild, only 1% has the chance to survive and reach their adulthood stage due to ocean pollution and appeals to the public for active involvement in case reporting.
“Therefore, I encourage everyone to stay vigilant, especially in communities near the sea where there are sea turtles, and immediately report to the LGU or nearest DENR Office.”
How can the public, especially the youth, contribute to the preservation of sea turtles? De Guzman said that discipline and involvement to the cause are important.
The group’s founder said: “The proper disposal of waste in its designated area is important; the avoidance of single-use plastics which we know contribute to the loss of some of our marine resources, including sea turtles, the support for a zero-waste lifestyle which promotes the use of reusable products to reduce waste generation in our community; and the adherence to environmental laws and ordinances in their respective areas.”
Volunteering in various environmental activities such as tree-planting and coastal clean-up events, and donating to environmental groups can also help to amplify and sustain the advocacy for marine ecosystems, De Guzman believes. (CO,CH/PIA-4A)
