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 figures from Davao Light and Power Co. in a press release published by Philstar.

The Pawikan Center sits inside the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, an eight-hectare coastal site that the company says was once grassland. It is an Aboitiz Group initiative managed by Davao Light, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation. It was set up under a memorandum of agreement among Davao Light, the Aboitiz Foundation Inc., the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Region XI (DENR-XI) and the City of Davao.

The facility cares for green sea, olive ridley and hawksbill turtles. According to the release, turtles in the area had been vulnerable to poaching and illegal fishing. Park staff move threatened nests to the hatchery for safer hatching. In coordination with DENR-XI, the center has also rescued and treated 38 adult turtles since 2014.

The company said nearly 28,000 people have visited the park in the same period, joining tours, tree planting, coastal clean-ups and, on some occasions, hatchling releases. Volunteers have planted close to 39,000 mangroves. The company credits that planting with raising the number of bird species recorded in the area from five in 2014 to about 108 this year.

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

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

Philstar noted that the press release is not covered by its editorial guidelines. The figures above are the company's own and have not been independently verified.