ANGELES CITY– Some 90 percent of the country’s coral reefs are either dead or in danger of dying, Sen. Loren Legarda warned during the Pawikan Festival held recently in Morong, Bataan.
This, as Legarda stressed the need to also protect “pawikan” turtles which, she noted, could help revive coral reefs. She said the manure of pawikans serves as nutrient in the ocean and fertilizer in sea grass beds which, along with coral reefs, are the home and nesting sites of fishes.
Pawikans play a critical role in the ecosystem, she stressed.
Legarda, who is chair of the Senate Committee on Climate Change, lamented, however, that pawikans and other marine reptiles in the country continue to face the danger of extinction.
“Pawikans are majestic creatures found throughout the country. However, because of poaching, theft of their eggs for commercial purposes, and destruction of their habitat, they are in danger of becoming extinct,” Legarda said.
This, as she cited a report from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources indicating that 90 percent of coral reefs in the country are either dead or dying.
Legarda said that as part of efforts to increase awareness on the need to protext coral reefs and marine life, she is supporting the establishment of an audio-visual room in Palawan Conservation Corps and create a documentary on the importance of the marine reptiles, complemented by educational tours in the center for students and tourists across the country.
Bataan Tourism Council Foundation, Inc. chair Vicky Garcia noted that in her province, only one egg matures for every 100 laid by pawikans.
