Badoc villagers help release baby sea turtles

By Leilanie G. Adriano

Staff reporter

LAOAG CITY—About 23 baby marine turtles, locally known as “pawikan”, emerged from their nest near a picnic area at Brgy. Pagsanahan Norte in Badoc, Ilocos Norte and crawled into the open sea to begin their voyage from their birth place.

A villager Danlito Gamaio witnessed this as he was supposed to gather seaweeds at about 6:30 a.m. he immediately reported the said incident to the barangay chairperson and the nearest office of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Office (DENR).

According to the barangay’s residents, their coastal village is a favorite nesting place of sea turtle.

Through information drive from environmentalists, some people here have become aware that sea turtles are endangered species and must be protected.

Rhoel Valdez Marcelo, ecosystems management specialist of the DENR confirmed this as he reported another villager Roman Madalipay narrated that on December 28 last year, he saw a sea turtle crawl toward the shoreline and dig a hole to lay its eggs.

The DENR was able to verify the report as two other nests were found near where the hatchlings emerged.

To protect the nests from predators and poachers, the DENR advised local officials and residents to immediately report it to concerned authorities so they could put up fence and help secure the area.

Over the years, local environment officials have continuously monitored the stretch of Ilocos Norte’s shoreline from Badoc to Pagudpud towns for sea turtle nesting areas.

The provincial fishery division of the Ilocos Norte government and local government units have included in their information campaigns the conservation and protection of this endangered species.

“The presence of sea turtles in Ilocos Norte is a manifestation of its rich and clean environment,” said fishery regulatory officer Arthur Valente of the Ilocos Norte Provincial Agriculture Office who also helped in the release of the marine turtles.

Authorities appealed to fishermen to turn over to them sea turtles and other marine mammals in case they catch them.

With this, the local government is now planning to establish a sanctuary for the preservation of these endangered species.

Comments

Empanada festival: A celebration of good taste and good life

By Dominic B. dela Cruz & Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporters BATAC CITY—If there is one thing Batac is truly proud of, it would be its famous empanada-making business that has nurtured its people over the years. Embracing a century-old culture and culinary tradition, Batac’s empanada claims to be the best and tastiest in the country with its distinctive Ilokano taste courtesy of its local ingredients: fresh grated papaya, mongo, chopped longganisa, and egg. The crispy orange wrapper and is made of rice flour that is deep-fried. The celebration of this city’s famous traditional fast food attracting locals and tourists elsewhere comes with the City Charter Day of Batac every 23 rd of June. Every year, the City Government of Batac led by Mayor Jeffrey Jubal Nalupta commemorate the city’s charter day celebration to further promote its famous One-Town, One Product, the Batac empanada. Empanada City The Batac empanada festival has already become an annua

PGIN honors Ilocano heroes of past, present through Heroes Walk

SPO1 Allan Lampitoc Franco of Banna, Ilocos Norte and PO2 Jovalyn D. Lozano of Adams, Ilocos Norte receive a resolution of commendation, a certificate of college scholarship grant to their family members and a P20,000 cash incentive each from the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte represented by Governor Imee R. Marcos and Vice Governor Angelo M. Barba in recognition of their bravery and heroic acts in the Mamasapano clash in Maguindanao on January 25. Mr. Franco and Mr. Lozano were recognized on March 10 in time for the unveiling of the second batch of Ilocano heroes at the Heroes Walk located along the Sirib Mile in Laoag City. (Lei Adriano) By Jennifer T. Pambid PGIN-CMO In honor of the heroes who brought freedom, fame and glory to the province as well as to the country in the past century, the Provincial Government of Ilocos Norte (PGIN) through the Education Department and Sirib Youth Office launched the second batch of Ilocano Heroes Walk on March 10, 2015.

Pagudpud’s tourism transformer passes away

By Leilanie G. Adriano Staff reporter LAOAG CITY—Retired Philippine Air Force Col. Ricardo Nolasco Jr., owner of Hannah’s Beach Resort and Convention Center in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte passed away on Wednesday evening, July 11, 2018. He was 67. “He did not survive an open-heart surgery,” said Ronald Dominguez, spokesperson of the largest resort at Brgy. Balaoi in Pagudpud. Known as the architect behind the transformation of Pagudpud town as a premiere destination of the north, Mr. Nolasco put up Hannah’s Beach Resort in what was originally meant as a family vacation resort. The rest is history when it expanded into more than 300-room executive villas and cabanas, with on-going infrastructure developments and set up various amenities. As a result, hundreds of domestic and foreign tourists visit here daily. The resort is on a cliff by the beach, which provides a spectacular view of the sparkling blue lagoon. “Yesterday will go down my lifeline as one

The Ilocos Times

Search This Blog