Punta Dumalag pawikan center reports 11,275 hatchlings released since 2014

A sea turtle hatchery and rescue facility in Punta Dumalag, Davao City has released 11,275 hatchlings and secured 110 nests since 2014, according to a press release from Aboitiz Power Corporation published by Philstar. Philstar noted that the release is not covered by its editorial guidelines.

The Pawikan Center sits inside the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an eight-hectare coastal site that was once grassland. It is managed by Davao Light and Power Co., an AboitizPower subsidiary. The center was set up under a memorandum of agreement between Davao Light, the Aboitiz Foundation, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI and the city government. According to the release, turtles in the area had been vulnerable to poaching and illegal fishing.

The facility cares for green sea, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles. Working with DENR-XI, it has rescued and treated 38 injured adult turtles since 2014. Park staff also move threatened nests to the hatchery so the eggs can hatch in safer conditions, the company said.

Davao Light reported close to 28,000 visitors over the same period, including students, families and organisations who joined tours, tree planting, coastal clean-ups and hatchling releases. Volunteers have planted nearly 39,000 mangroves. The company said the number of bird species recorded in the area has risen from five in 2014 to about 108 in 2026.

Fermin Edillon, head of Davao Light's Reputation Enhancement Department, said nearby residents now know to bring rescued turtles to the park. He added that the community has been taught to segregate and secure its trash so it does not end up in the sea.

Davao Light president and COO Enriczar Tia said the park welcomes more visitors, including local residents, schools and organisations, for tours and volunteer activities.