THE Davao Light and Power Co. (Davao Light) released anew 130 pawikan hatchlings from the second sea turtle nest found this year at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Sitio Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City, on Friday, September 1.
In a Facebook post by Davao Light, together with their partners, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Davao Region (DENR-Davao) headed by Executive Regional Director Atty. Ma. Merceded Dumagan; Philippine Coast Guard-Davao (PCG-Davao); Apo Agua Infrastructura, Inc; Crocodile Park; Lions Club District; and students coming from the private and public academic institutions in the city witnessed the releasing of the baby pawikans to the sea.
Davao Light and Aboitiz Foundation Inc. even signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Institute of Electronics Engineers of the Philippines (IECEP-Davao) in support of the conservation efforts of the park.
Also, the Chill Riders Club Philippines Inc. partnered with Davao Light through a memorandum of understanding for the club to commit to the conservation of the environment through tree planting and coastal cleanup activities.
The conservation efforts of the Davao Light are for the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtles that are currently nesting at the park.
The park initially opened its doors to the public around 2015 and has been constantly accepting environmental efforts. It is part of the company’s cleanergy initiative which embodies Aboitiz’s commitment to “Care for the Earth''. It is geared towards preserving mangrove and coastal forests, nurturing the coral reefs, safeguarding the well-being of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle, and protecting the expansive 37-hectare Marine Protected Area (MPA) of Punta Dumalag.
Davao Light first released 106 pawikan hatchlings on August 14 for this year, wherein the Consulate General of the People Republic of China-Davao, the City Government of Davao, media representatives, as well as other organizations witnessed how the hatchlings found their way home. RGP