PENRO Guimaras Champions Conservation and Rehabilitation of Green Sea Turtles

Buenavista- Two successful marine wildlife response and release activities were recently carried out by the team of Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) in Guimaras.

A female Green sea turtle with a Carapace Curved Length (CCL) measured 59 cm, and Carapace Curved Width (CCW) with 52 cm was reportedly seen along the shoreline in Barangay Getulio, Buenavista, Guimaras on January 14, 2026, but was turned over by a certain Junie Molate. The PENRO Guimaras’ team with FT II Alvin Alen Noedama and Deputized Wildlife Enforcement Officers (DWEOs) responded immediately and the Green Sea Turtle was released back to the ocean safely.

On the same day, a male Green Sea Turtle was also released from the nearest Marine Protected Area (MPA) by the same team. It was measured with a CCL of 80 cm and CCW of 70 cm at Barangay Tando, Nueva Valencia, Guimaras.

The release was with assistance from Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) Marine
Biologist Michael Tesorero and the barangay officials of Barangay Tando, who transported the turtle in a boat to avoid nearby fish cages around the area.

This second turtle was turned over last December 16, 2025, in Barangay Panobolon, Nueva Valencia, by Edwin Norico and Felicisimo Norico, after being trapped in a fish corral. The marine reptile was endorsed through Barangay Kagawad Perigrino Gallego to Wildlife Enforcement Officer (WEO) Hanzel Bulahan and eventually to SEAFDEC for proper handling before its release.

These collaborative initiatives of PENRO Guimaras, SEAFDEC, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Nueva Valencia, and local communities showed their strong commitment to the protection, conservation, and responsible management of marine wildlife in the province, which can be achieved if everyone plays their role effectively
and honestly./DENR6