MORONG, Bataan — Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower), through private limited partnership GNPower Dinginin Ltd. Co. (GNPD), has concluded its three-year sea turtle (pawikan) protection and conservation program, SagiPaWeCan, in Sitio Fuerte, Barangay Poblacion, Morong, Bataan, with a ceremonial hatchling release.
SagiPaWeCan was launched to provide safe nesting environments that support better hatchling survival, while also promoting conservation awareness, empowering local communities, and fostering a stronger culture of environmental responsibility in the province.
Over its three-year implementation, the program transplanted 37,021 olive ridley eggs and successfully released 35,632 hatchlings—a 96.25% hatching rate. Without such intervention, survival rates may drop to 25% or even lower due to threats from disturbances and predators.
“SagiPaWeCan has made a lasting mark on Bataan’s environmental conservation efforts,” said Provincial Government Environment and Natural Resources Office (PGENRO) Officer-in-Charge 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, the training, equipment support, and sustained engagement have empowered volunteers to take an active role in marine conservation.
“Volunteers were transformed into marine life protectors, gaining not only environmental awareness but also a deeper sense of purpose and pride,” Mendoza said.
Launched in 2023 through a Memorandum of Agreement with the Provincial Government of Bataan, the program helped mitigate the threats faced by endangered pawikan species along Bataan’s coastline. It supports GNPD’s “Protect Marine Life” initiative under its P.R.O.G.R.E.S.S. framework and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 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 corporate social responsibility strategy, focused on co-creating positive change, shared value, and sustainable social and environmental development.
The Philippines is home to five of the world’s seven sea turtle species, three of which—the green, hawksbill, and olive ridley turtles—nest along Bataan’s shores. 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 population decline is due to habitat loss, illegal poaching, marine pollution, and climate change.
All three species are protected under the Philippine Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act (RA 9147), making conservation programs like SagiPaWeCan crucial and timely. The initiative stands as a testament to the power of private sector leadership and community collaboration in achieving meaningful and lasting environmental impacts.
GNPD operates a 2×724.965-megawatt (gross) coal-fired power plant in Mariveles, Bataan—the largest in the country to date. It utilizes supercritical technology that complies with the strictest local and international environmental and emissions standards.