MORONG, Bataan — The Sagip Pawikan of Sitio Fuerte Association rescued a sea turtle trapped in a nylon net and released it back to the sea here Tuesday.
Sagip Pawikan president Arnold Mendoza said one of their volunteers, Mharlo Mendoza, reported the discovery of the hawksbill sea turtle in Barangay Poblacion in Morong. “Ginamot namin ang pawikan at pagkatapos pinakawalan.”
“Ang nagiging problema ay ‘yung mga fish net ng mga mangingisda na napuputol. Hindi na nila nakukuha at naiiwan na lang sa dagat palutang-lutang,” Mendoza explained.
The organization is being funded and supported by GNPower Dinginin (GNPD) that operates two units of coal-fired power plants in Mariveles, Bataan.
“GNPD is deeply committed to environmental protection, including the endangered marine life in Morong,” said Joseph Paolo Mendoza, GNPD’s corporate social responsibility superintendent.
“Morong serves as a vital nesting ground for sea turtles, and we consider it our duty to contribute to their survival,” he added.
A 2023-2024 report by GNPD showed that the group has safeguarded over 16,000 sea turtle eggs, releasing a near-equivalent number of hatchlings with an impressive hatching rate of over 98%.
