PENRO Guimaras leads sea turtle rescues, releases

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The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office (PENRO) in Guimaras recently carried out two marine wildlife response and release activities as part of its conservation and rehabilitation work for green sea turtles.

A female green sea turtle was reported along the shoreline in Barangay Getulio, Buenavista, Guimaras, on Jan. 14, 2026, and was turned over by Junie Molate for proper handling.

PENRO Guimaras responders, including FT II Alvin Alex Neodama and Deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers (DWEOs), immediately assessed the turtle and released it safely back to the ocean.

PENRO recorded the female turtle’s Carapace Curved Length (CCL) at 59 centimeters (cm) and Carapace Curved Width (CCW) at 52 cm.

On the same day, the same PENRO team facilitated the release of a male green sea turtle from the nearest Marine Protected Area (MPA).

The male turtle was measured at a CCL of 80 cm and a CCW of 70 cm in Barangay Tando, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

The second release was conducted with assistance from Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Marine Biologist Michael Tesorero and barangay officials of Barangay Tando.

Barangay officials transported the turtle by boat to avoid nearby fish cages around the area, according to the account.

The male green sea turtle had been turned over earlier on Dec. 16, 2025, after it was trapped in a fish corral in Barangay Panobolon, Nueva Valencia.

Edwin Norico and Felicisimo Norico turned over the turtle after the entrapment, ensuring it was brought into the proper wildlife response system.

The marine reptile was endorsed through Barangay Kagawad Perigrino Gallego to Wildlife Enforcement Officer (WEO) Hanzel Bulahan and eventually to SEAFDEC for proper handling before release.

PENRO Guimaras said the coordinated efforts among PENRO, SEAFDEC, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nueva Valencia, and local communities reflect a shared commitment to protecting and responsibly managing marine wildlife in the province.

Sea turtles are widely recognized as key species in marine ecosystems because they help maintain healthy seagrass beds and coral reef systems, which support fish and other marine life.

In a separate conservation activity, PENRO Guimaras reported rescuing and releasing hawksbill sea turtle hatchlings in Nueva Valencia, Guimaras, on Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.

The response was conducted after PENRO received an anonymous tip through the PENRO Guimaras Facebook page about newly hatched sea turtles, the report said.

The activity was spearheaded by Wildlife Focal Person (WFP) FT II Alvin Alex Neodama with deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers (WEO).

The hatchlings were identified as Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), described in the report as a protected marine species under Philippine law and classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The hatchlings were first discovered and cared for by the resort owner and her employee before authorities arrived for assessment.

Upon assessment, the PENRO team recorded sixty-nine (69) live and active hatchlings, a weak hatchling, nineteen (19) unhatched eggs, and nine (9) lifeless hatchlings.

After documentation, the hatchlings were released into their natural marine habitat at Brgy. Dolores, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) VI reminded the public about Republic Act No. 9147, the Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act of 2001, which prohibits illegal wildlife activities and provides penalties for violations.

DENR VI also urged the public to report wildlife sightings and illegal wildlife activities to help protect the country’s natural heritage for future generations.