Bataan Volunteers Join Forces With AboitizPower To Safeguard Endangered Sea Turtles
- December 17, 2025
More than 100 newly hatched sea turtles, or pawikan, crawled back to the sea from the Sitio Fuerte Pawikan Hatchery Bataan recently, marking another milestone in the province’s growing marine conservation efforts led by both local and private partners.
Since the start of the nesting season in September, the Sitio Fuerte Association has recorded 98 nests containing a total of 9,893 eggs. Of these, 227 hatchlings have already been safely released to their natural habitat. The hatchery serves as a key conservation site dedicated to protecting endangered marine turtles and their nesting grounds.
The initiative forms part of the Sagip PaWeCan program of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), in collaboration with the Sitio Fuerte Association, the Provincial Government of Bataan, and Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower) through its subsidiary, GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD).
The partnership’s memorandum of agreement was recently extended for another five years, continuing a collaboration that has proven vital in preserving Bataan’s coastal ecosystems.
Raising Environmental Awareness
During its initial three-year run, the Sagip PaWeCan project has saved a total of 37,021 olive ridley eggs, successfully releasing 35,632 hatchlings — a 96.25% survival rate, far higher than the estimated 25% survival chance of hatchlings left unprotected from predators and human interference.
“This program has made a lasting mark on Bataan’s environmental conservation efforts,” said Raphael De Leon, officer in charge of the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO). “It significantly contributed to the preservation of Bataan’s sea turtle population, strengthened the province’s eco-tourism potential, and educated local communities about environmental stewardship.”
Arnold Mendoza, president of the Sitio Fuerte Association, noted that consistent engagement and training empowered local volunteers to become active conservation advocates. “Volunteers were transformed into marine life protectors, gaining not only environmental awareness but also a deeper sense of purpose and pride,” he said.
Corporate And Community Partnership
The program supports GNPD’s “Protect Marine Life” initiative under its P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. framework, which stands for: Protect marine life, Reforest land, Optimize wealth from waste, Generate livelihood skills and income, Rehabilitate social infrastructure, Elevate educational opportunities, Safeguard quality health access, and Strengthen disaster resiliency.
This framework aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), under SDG 14, which is Life Below Water.
Protecting Endangered Species
The Philippines is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, with the green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles nesting along Bataan’s coasts. All three are listed under the IUCN Red List as endangered or critically endangered and are protected by Republic Act 9147, the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.
Through sustained cooperation among government, business, and community partners, Bataan’s coastal conservation programs continue to demonstrate how shared responsibility can safeguard biodiversity for future generations.
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