83 ‘pawikan’ hatchlings back in Sarangani Bay

KORONADAL CITY—Environment officials in the Soccsksargen (South Cotabato, Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani and General Santos)region released 83 hatchlings of the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), locally known as “pawikan,” back to the sea on April 30, hopefully to increase its population and maintain a healthy ecosystem along Sarangani Bay.

The hatchlings were released in the coastal waters of Barangay Tambler in General Santos City by officials of the Protected Area Management Office (Pamo) of the Sarangani Bay Protected Seascape (SBPS) and the City Environment and Natural Resources Office (Cenro).

The release was done a day after the management of Cargill Oil Mills, which is located along the coastal area of Barangay Tambler, reported to General Santos City and Soccsksargen authorities the presence of the hatchlings at the beach fronting their factory, which were discovered by some of the mill’s workers near their waste treatment facility.

“We immediately responded to the report and facilitated the release of the hatchlings,” said Cirilo A. Lagnason Jr., SBPS protected area superintendent.

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Lagnason said that Pamo, along with Cenro General Santos City, informed the Cargill Oil Mill employees about the importance of promptly and properly releasing the sea turtle hatchlings upon discovery.

He said the mill’s employees have reported frequent sighting of pawikan along the shore fronting their factory, suggesting that the area could be a nesting ground for the sea turtles. —EDWIN O. FERNANDEZ INQ