Sea turtles released from coal-fired power plant shore

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — At least 115 turtle hatchlings were released into the sea over the weekend from the coast of a coal-powered plant in Barangay Binugao, Toril District, this city.

The sea turtles were found in three nests earlier discovered along the coastline of AboitizPower subsidiary Therma South Inc. (TSI) in Binugao.

The first nest was found on Dec. 14 and the second last Feb. 23. 

Since the discovery of the nests, TSI has worked with various groups, including the team from the group’s pawikan conservatory in Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, to ensure that the nests are well-protected and cared for.

The sea turtle hatchlings released last March 29 emerged from an undiscovered third nest along the shore of the coal-fired power plant.

TSI named this batch of sea turtle hatchlings “Team Stingray” after Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio’s son, whose birthday is on the same day.

“This occurrence reinforces the diversity of our marine ecosystem in the city. Having a coal-fired power plant playing host to these hatchlings makes this event even more interesting,” Duterte-Carpio said, adding that she would have joined in the releasing activity if not for prior commitments.

Assistant Secretary Ruth Tawantawan of Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region XI congratulated TSI for its efforts in protecting the nests and the marine ecosystem.

“The hatching of the pawikans has been an eye-opening experience. It is a small indicator that our environmental stewardship efforts are bearing fruit. The presence of these endangered creatures inside the plant is proof of sustainable environmental conditions resulting from the steps we have taken to operate our power plants responsibly,” said Danel Aboitiz, president and chief operating officer of the AboitizPower-Coal Business Unit.

Since sea turtles come back to the place where they hatch through magnetic imprinting, there might be other nests in the area. When the released hatchlings grow up, they may come back to the area to lay new nests and repeat the cycle.