THE City Government of Cadiz has stepped up its efforts in marine preservation, a thrust of Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr., following the establishment of Giant Clam Village on Lakawon Island in the locality.

The City Government has already passed a local ordinance declaring the 1.3-hectare area, which now houses 2,050 clams.

According to the mayor, they are planning to develop the area to boost further the tourism arrivals, citing that the island is a top site for tourists in the province.

The discovery

The discovery of the species in Lakawon was only accidental after Yhen Osorio, a cashier on the island, was catching shells in the area.

She took care of the clams but has to return home to Sara, Iloilo, after losing her job due to the pandemic.

When the local government learned about it, she was hired to be the keeper of the giant clams, which grew to more than 2,000.