From Ripples to waves: Saving the Pawikan, Building a Sustainable Environment for Bataan

Petron has been supporting the Pawikan Festival since 2007. Organized by the Bataan Provincial Tourism Council on behalf of the province, has become an annual celebration of the presence of the endangered giant sea turtles in the coastal towns of Morong and Bagac. Bataan is a significant nesting site for these sea turtles, according to the DENR's Biodiversity Management Bureau with three out of the five sea species in the country, namely the Hawksbill, Olive Ridley, and Green Turtle, using the beaches facing the West Philippine Sea as their nesting grounds.

Having been a 'resident' of Bataan for more than 50 years, Petron takes on the responsibility of preserving the area's biodiversity, particularly the pawikan. Supporting this advocacy not only protects the pawikan but also fosters sustainable development. The Pawikan Festival serves as an excellent platform to create awareness and appreciation for these ancient creatures that have been in existence for over 220 million years. Unfortunately, their eggs are deemed delicacies, and their dorsal shells are sought-after as decorations, thus making them an endangered species. Petron recognizes the significance of safeguarding the pawikan and will continue to contribute to their survival not only in Bataan but also in other areas where we are both present.

To further emphasize our support for the festival, Petron organizes the Environment Forum as among its main activities. This aims to educate residents and visitors of Morong, Bataan about the science of protecting sea turtles and their significance not only to the marine ecosystem but also to humans. Petron engages scientists and marine experts as resource speakers for the lectures together with Bantay Pawikan, the NGO tasked with managing the Pawikan Conservation Center year-round. The learning experience is then complemented by a Night Patrol, where participants can witness the nesting of an adult female green sea turtle and the hatching of eggs from the Pawikan Conservation Center. The program concludes with the symbolic release of hatchlings into the sea.

Through this effort, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bataan issued Provincial Ordinance No. 30 in 2021, designating 105 hectares of nesting beaches of the marine turtle along the coastline of Morong, Bataan, as the critical habitat for pawikans. Moreover, in October 2022, the province passed Provincial Ordinance No. 24 or the Pawikan Protocol, which prescribes the rules governing marine turtle interaction during hatching and nesting and the management of threats on their nesting habitats in Bataan. As part of the province's Framework for the Sustainable Development of Coastal Areas through Integrated Coastal Management (ICM), the Pawikan Conservation Program is proposed to be institutionalized as among the steps to maintain and sustain the integrity of resources, habitats, and biodiversity of Bataan.

In September 2022, Petron joined forces with local officials, NGOs, and private sector organizations to participate in the One Bataan PawiCAN Conservation Alliance Network or the 1PawiCan Program. This program hopes to institutionalize conservation and environmental protection efforts for the marine turtles found beyond the towns of Morong and Bagac, including Mariveles and Limay. As part of the initiative, each town will establish a Pawikan Conservation and Protection Group to spearhead the care of these endangered creatures.

Our involvement in the 1PawiCan Program demonstrates our commitment to environmental conservation and protection and to the sustainable development of Bataan. This collaborative effort ensures their long-term survival while preserving the natural resources of the region. Petron recognizes the significance of the pawikan not only as an endangered species but also as a symbol of a clean and healthy environment.

In 2000, we took the lead in implementing the Bataan ICM program together with the provincial government, the UNDP's Partnerships in Environmental Management for the Seas of East Asia program, the various LGUs of Bataan, and business locators in the province. As part of this program, Petron regularly participates in coastal cleanup activities, mangrove planting, and upland reforestation in different areas of the province. And through our partnership with stakeholders in the province, we have produced several important documents, including the Bataan Sustainable Development Strategy, the Bataan Coastal Land- and Sea-Use Zoning Plan, and the State of the Coast Report for the Province of Bataan. These provide a clear roadmap to help the province achieve its 2030 vision of quality growth through sustainable development.

Our support for the Pawikan Festival and conservation efforts for the pawikan is just one aspect of our commitment to the sustainable development of the entire province. Our efforts reflect our dedication to preserving the environment and contributing to the long-term prosperity of the communities we serve.