Cleanergy Davao Light Sustainability

Aboitiz Cleanergy Park releases 1,450 pawikan hatchlings in 2017

January 10, 2018

Davao Light and Power Company (Davao Light) recorded the highest number of pawikan hatchlings released in 2017 at the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Davao City.

A total of 1,450 pawikan hatchlings from 11 nests had been released by Davao Light, a subsidiary of Aboitiz Power Corporation, last year at the eight-hectare Aboitiz-owned park in Davao City which serves as nesting sanctuary for the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle.

This surpassed the park’s record of  1,301 pawikan hatchlings released from 10 nests when it was developed in 2014.

More than 3,000 sea turtle hatchlings were already released by Cleanergy Park team and supporters from at least 28 discovered nests since 2014.

In 2015, 575 hatchlings were released, while there could be nests in 2016 but none was discovered and recorded.

“We are very happy with the increase in number of pawikan hatchlings found and released in 2017.

From zero in 2016 to 1,450 in 2017, this is a manifestation that our efforts in the protection and preservation of our environment especially our marine biodiversity through the Cleanergy Park is starting to pay off. ” said Rodger S. Velasco, Davao Light’s EVP and COO.

The global population of marine animals, including the critically endangered Hawksbill Sea Turtle is still at risk due to poaching, destruction of the marine ecosystem, ocean pollution, among others.

“Pawikans are now endangered that is why Davao Light together with our partners, the community and supporters will continue to do our part in taking care of our ecosystem” Velasco added.

The Cleanergy Park, a partnership project of Davao Light and the Aboitiz Foundation, is an Aboitiz Better World initiative that models an urban-based habitat conservation and biodiversity management.  In addition to being a turtle sanctuary, it has become a bird sanctuary with more than 70 discovered species, a haven for different species of trees, fish thriving in its mangrove forest, a fish sanctuary, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

In 2017, the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park was recognized by the city government of Davao City for its contribution to environment protection and conservation.