Two Morong villages declared critical habitats for ‘pawikan’

At least two coastal villages in Morong, Bataan are about to be declared critical habitats for endangered marine turtle or “pawikan.”

In its recent social media post, the provincial government’s Environment and Natural Resources Office (ENRO) disclosed that the  Technical Working Group (TWG) met last Thursday at the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Bagac to discuss the findings that would lead to the declaration barangays– Nagbalayong and Poblacion as critical habitats for “pawikan.”

Critical habitat refers to specific areas essential for survival and recovery of threatened or endangered species.

The TWG are to assess the result of key informant interviews, night patrolling, and beach profiling. In the past, marine turtle conservationists found it hard to monitor some individuals making profit out of “pawikan” eggs.

The meeting was held in coordination with ENRO, DENR, Bantay Pawikan, Inc., Sagip Pawikan Sitio Fuerte Association, the LGU of Morong and other environmentalist groups.

The Provincial Government of Bataan and the Municipal Government of Morong hold elaborate rites for annual the “pawikan” festival where known environmentalists are invited.