The Tañon Strait Protected Seascape (TSPS) – Protected Area Management Office, in partnership with the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Moalboal and the Working Committee for the Pawikan Conservation Project, conducted a canvassing of potential sites for a marine turtle (pawikan) conservation area within the municipality.
Leading the activity were Vice Mayor Jinky Hanika and Barangay Captain Roger Igoogan, project leads for the LGU’s Pawikan Conservation Initiative, who joined the team in assessing coastal areas identified as potential nesting and conservation sites for sea turtles. The team evaluated environmental suitability, coastal condition, existing marine life presence, and community accessibility as key criteria in selecting the most appropriate location.
“We want to ensure that any designated pawikan site in Moalboal is not only biologically suitable but also strongly supported by our communities,” Vice Mayor Hanika said. “By working closely with TSPS and our stakeholders, we are strengthening our commitment to marine conservation and responsible tourism.”
The site canvassing forms part of the preparatory activities for the Moalboal Pawikan Conservation and Rehabilitation Project, which aims to enhance local protection measures for sea turtles and other marine species within the Tañon Strait ecosystem. Planned components include beach monitoring, possible establishment of a hatchery, and intensified information and education campaigns for residents, fisherfolk, and tourism frontliners.
TSPS-PAMO officials welcomed the initiative of LGU Moalboal, noting that the municipality is strategically located along the Tañon Strait, the country’s largest marine protected area and an important habitat for marine mammals, sea turtles, and diverse coral reef ecosystems. The collaboration underscores the shared responsibility of national agencies, local governments, and communities in safeguarding critical marine habitats.
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