HAWKSBILL turtles releases in Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro. (FB)
Ninety-four Hawksbill turtle hatchlings were released in Barangay San Antonio, Puerto Galera, Oriental Mindoro on Thursday, April 30, by the local government and the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office.
Their release, witnessed by Vice Mayor Rocky Ilagan, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office General Manager Melquiades "Mel" Robles, and PCSO officials, followed proper handling protocols to minimize stress and ensure their optimal adaptation to their natural environment.
The turtles, declared as endangered species since 1982 by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), were collected from their nesting place in Long Beach, Barangay San Antonio.
The PCSO met Ilagan and municipal officials and discussed stronger collaboration not only on social welfare but also on marine conservation and biodiversity protection.
Ilagan said such collaboration is being encouraged by Department of Tourism Secretary Dita Angara-Mathay who recently emphasized the importance of coordination and stronger alignment across government agencies and stakeholders to strengthen the tourism industry’s competitiveness.