104 pawikan hatchlings released in Miagao amid typhoon

By Mariela Angella Oladive and Rjay Zuriaga Castor

A total of 104 pawikan (marine turtle) hatchlings safely made their way to the sea along the coastline of Barangay Bacauan, Miagao, Iloilo, on Saturday, Sept. 27, despite the effects of Typhoon Opong.

The Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology Quick Response Team (IMFO-QRT) of the College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas (CFOS-UPV), led by research associate Precious Nikola Gaurana, conducted a site assessment following reports from local residents and UPV employees Rey Nuneza and John Michael Moleta.

The two initially discovered hatchlings on the evening of Sept. 26, at the height of the storm.

During the survey, IMFO-QRT found two additional live hatchlings still in the nest and guided them safely to the sea.

The nest contained 117 eggs, of which 104 successfully hatched while 13 remained unhatched.

According to the team, wave action and elevated sea levels brought by the typhoon likely contributed to the failed hatching of some eggs.

IMFO-QRT expressed gratitude to the Bacauan community and the Miagao local government unit (LGU), through the support of Eden Nequia, for their assistance during the conservation activity.

The team also acknowledged Carmela Ellaga, a Master of Science in Fisheries Biology student, for volunteering during the site visit.

“This event marks an inspiring milestone in local marine conservation and emphasizes the role of community involvement in protecting our coastal and marine ecosystems,” IMFO-QRT said in a statement.

The group added that the occurrence of pawikan hatching in Miagao underscores the importance of collaborative action and nature-based solutions in sustaining biodiversity and safeguarding coastal areas.

Three major shoreline protection projects in Miagao have been completed since 2023, according to records from the Sumbong sa Pangulo Portal.

Two of the projects are located less than three kilometers from the site where the hatchlings were found and are both situated in Baybay Norte.

One of these, the Miagao Shoreline Protection/Seawall including Access Road in Baybay Norte, was implemented by A.D. Pendon Construction & Supply, Inc.

The project had a contract cost of PHP 48.48 million, began in April 2023, and was completed in February 2024.

Another seawall and access road project in the same barangay was carried out by IBC International Builders Corporation at a cost of PHP 48.99 million, with construction starting in February 2022 and completed in April 2023.

The third project, located in Barangay Guibongan, involved the construction of the Guibongan–Kirayan Shoreline Protection.

Also implemented by A.D. Pendon, the PHP 48.45-million project broke ground in March 2023 and was completed in March 2024.

A 2011 study in Florida, USA, noted that as sea levels rise and storms intensify, the spread of seawalls is expected to further threaten the availability of suitable nesting habitats for loggerhead turtles.

Sea Turtle Conservancy, the world’s oldest sea turtle research and conservation group, warned that coastal armoring, including seawalls and other barriers, poses serious risks to sea turtle nesting.

These structures block access to the upper beach, forcing turtles to lay eggs closer to the water where nests are more vulnerable to waves and flooding, according to the US-based organization.