Where turtles find a sanctuary

MANILA, Philippines - Imagine dozens of pawikans (sea turtles) coming ashore in the dark of night or under the soft moonlight to find a strip of beach on which to lay their eggs, then returning to the sea where they belong. It is the stuff of nature documentaries, but in the Philippines, blessed with diverse marine life, this phenomenon – a natural event so rare it only takes place in natural sanctuaries and only for three precious months – amazingly happens at our doorstep.

From November to January, homeowners and staff of Playa Laiya, a sprawling seaside leisure development located in San Juan, Batangas, eagerly await the coming of the pawikans to lay their eggs. The subsequent hatching of those eggs is another miracle to behold as a new batch of baby turtles – no bigger than a five-peso coin – instinctively find their way to the sea, lumbering awkwardly along on their newly formed flippers.

This occurrence was discovered when a security guard, accompanied by the barangay captain, was doing his rounds around the property. Though the 144-hectare residential enclave is known for its well-preserved ecosystem – a marine sanctuary, a fruit bat sanctuary, mangroves, rivers, lagoons and lakes feature prominently in the development – the story of the egg-laying turtles was major and most welcome news. 

“We have long imagined the property as the next tourism hub in Luzon,” says Jose Antonio Xerez-Burgos, vice president for leisure communities of Landco, the pioneer in seaside leisure development in the country. “The egg-laying pawikans just bolster this vision, affirming the pristine quality of the Playa Laiya beach. We are happy to know that the shore serves an important purpose in the marine environment.”

The shore, which extends for 1.5 kilometers, is a dream of fine, white sand. The coral reefs located along the coasts of the La Luz Resort area and Lobo, Batangas are a haven for divers who want to interact with marine life. 

Respect for the fragile ecosystem of the place has led Landco officials to protect the area where the pawikans lay their eggs with plastic barricades. Those who want to witness the eggs hatching are accompanied by a trained staff so guests won’t destroy the still-to-be-hatched eggs buried in the sand. 

As important as the protective physical structure is, education of staff, homeowners and visitors on how to protect the pawikans and their eggs is also crucial. The town’s local officials are invited to talk about the ways to handle, preserve and take care of the endangered species and their kin. 

Preserving the natural reserves of the property is integral to the vision of Landco for Playa Laiya. “The state or quality of the natural environment is important for the development because this is considered a global obligation. We consider this as our contribution as stewards of the environment. We want to give the next generation the kind of natural environment that they deserve,” Burgos concludes.