MORONG, Bataan — Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), through private limited partnership GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), concluded its three-year sea turtle or pawikan protection and conservation program, SagiPaWeCan, in Sitio Fuerte, Barangay Poblacion, Morong, Bataan, with a hatchling release.

SagiPaWeCan was created to provide safe nesting environments that facilitated better hatchling survival. It also promoted conservation awareness, thus empowering local communities and fostering a deeper culture of environmental responsibility in the province.

During its three-year run, the program transplanted 37,021 olive ridley eggs and released 35,632 hatchlings. This is equivalent to a 96.25% hatching rate, which can otherwise decline to 25% or less if the hatchlings are left to disturbances and predators.

“SagiPaWeCan has made a lasting mark on Bataan’s environmental conservation efforts,” said Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) OIC Raphael De Leon. “It significantly contributed to the preservation of Bataan’s sea turtle population, strengthened the province’s eco-tourism potential, and educated local communities about environmental stewardship.”

According to Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte President Arnold Mendoza, training, equipment support, and consistent engagement has empowered the group to take an active role in conservation.

“Volunteers were transformed into marine life protectors, gaining not only environmental awareness but also a deeper sense of purpose and pride.”

Launched in 2023 through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Government of Bataan, the program helped address the threats faced by endangered pawikan populations along the province’s coastline. It supports GNPD’s “Protect Marine Life” initiative under its P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S., which stands for “Protect marine life, Reforest land, Optimize wealth from waste, Generate livelihood skills and income, Rehabilitate social infrastructure, Elevate educational opportunities, Safeguard quality health access, and Strengthen disaster resiliency”, is GNPD’s strategy for corporate social responsibility, focused on co-creating positive change, shared value, and sustainable social and environmental development.

The Philippines is home to five of the seven sea turtle species in the world, three of which — the green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles — nest on the shores of Bataan. According to the IUCN Red List, the hawksbill is critically endangered, while the green and olive ridley turtles are classified as endangered and vulnerable, respectively. Their declining populations are attributed to habitat loss, illegal poaching, marine pollution, and climate change.

All three marine turtle species are protected under the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), making conservation efforts like SagiPaWeCan timely and necessary, serving as a compelling example of how private sector leadership, together with community collaboration, can create meaningful and lasting impacts.

GNPD is a 2×724.965 megawatt (gross) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan, which is considered by far to be the largest coal-fired power plant in the country today utilizing supercritical technology that fully complies with the most stringent local and international environmental and emission standards.

June 10, 2025