Agusan del Norte: The Department of Environment and Natural Resources in the Caraga Region (DENR-13) and the Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Nasipit (CENRO-Nasipit) are intensifying efforts to preserve sea turtle nesting sites in Carmen, Agusan del Norte. The initiative is focused on the coastal villages of Cahayagan, Vinapor, Gosoon, San Agustin, and Tagcatong, which are part of the Carmen Critical Habitat for Marine Turtles, as designated under DENR Administrative Order No. 2012-08.
According to Philippines News Agency, on Monday, DENR-13 and CENRO-Nasipit mobilized 265 volunteers from various government agencies and the private sector for a daylong tree-planting and cleanup drive in Barangay Cahayagan. Volunteers planted a total of 300 tree seedlings of bani, agoho, and talisay, while the cleanup drive resulted in the collection of over 320 kilograms of waste, including plastic bags, bottles, cans, rubber, clothes, diapers, and styrofoam.
CENRO-Nasipit chief Nelson Caranzo remarked that these efforts align with the celebration of the Philippine Environment Month and represent ongoing initiatives to protect the nesting sites of sea turtles in the area. In a statement, DENR-13 Officer-in-Charge Regional Director Maritess Ocampo encouraged participants to engage their families, friends, and neighbors in waste segregation and proper disposal practices, while urging residents to continue supporting the preservation and protection efforts.
Recent reports highlighted the successful release of 54 newly hatched Hawksbill turtle hatchlings back into the sea in Barangay Vinapor. The nest originally contained 117 turtle eggs, indicating a partial hatching success. Three other turtle nesting events were recorded in March and April, with Caranzo noting that factors such as internal developmental issues and external predators, including dogs, raptors, and other reptiles, can affect hatching success rates.
Caranzo added that more hatchings are expected this month, and that their team is closely monitoring the sites with community support to ensure the safety and preservation of these critical habitats.
