ANTIQUE — A total of 42 hawksbill sea turtles were released back to the sea at the Pawikan Center in Taringting, Purok 7, Barangay Funda-Dalipe, San Jose de Buenavista on October 8 as part of the municipality’s continuing efforts to protect marine wildlife and promote environmental conservation.
The activity was spearheaded by Mayor Paul Joseph Untaran, who highlighted the event as a key feature of his first 100 days in office.
“These pawikans nesting along our shores signify that our coral reefs are healthy, our waters are clean, and marine life continues to thrive in San Jose de Buenavista,” Untaran said, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balanced ecosystem.
He also called for continued environmental stewardship, reminding the public that “every wave carries a story of life, and every turtle swimming back to the sea brings hope for a brighter future for the next generation.”
The released turtles were hawksbill sea turtles, one of the five species of pawikan found in the Philippines. The species is listed as critically endangered, mainly due to habitat loss and poaching.
Marine biologists note that while hundreds of hatchlings are released annually, only about one percent survive to adulthood — making each release vital in sustaining the marine ecosystem and preserving biodiversity in Antique’s coastal areas./PN
