48 marine turtle hatchlings released in Sarangani

Koronadal City — A total of 48 hatchlings of endangered "Hawksbill" marine turtle were released last week in the seaside of Maitum town in Sarangani province.

Jessica Guilao, chief of the Coastal Marine Management Section (CMMS) of the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Kiamba town, said the three-month old Hawksbill hatchlings were freed in the seaside of Barangay Old Poblacion in Maitum.

The Hawksbill is one the endangered marine turtles found in the coastal seas of Sarangani and are said to be endemic in Mindanao.

Guilao said the release of the hatchlings was witnessed by barangay officials and ranking employees of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) led by Kiamba CENRO Ruel Divino.

Guilao added that a hundred other Hawksbill hatchlings are due to be released next month.

Guilao appealed to coastal residents to help the DENR preserve and protect the country’s marine turtles like the Hawksbill. — Ramil Bajo