by Ramon Jorge Sarabosing
Philippine Daily Inquirer
November 3, 2002
First, the good news: a marine turtle hatchery has been finally put up a mainland Mindanao (the first and only other facility is in Jolo, Sulu). The bad news? There aren’t enough funds to run it.
The hatchery, measuring eight feet wide and 10 feet long, is made up of wood and screen, and stands near the shoreline in the island village of Purok Mahaba in Hinatuan, Surigao del Sur. The island has a population of 300.
The project was initiated through the efforts of the Pawikan Conservation Program (PCP), which is supervised by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources; Nagkahiusang Mangingisda sa Hinatuan (NAMAHIN), an umbrella organization of fishers’ groups; and the Center for Empowerment and Resource Development, Inc. (CERD), a non government organization.
Arnold Tiro, a community organizer, said the facility “was a result of consultation among the groups that saw it as an answer to the preservation and conservation of the turtles.”
BUDGET CUT
As agreed, the PCP will provide technical and initial financial assistance, NAMAHIN will supervise the operations, and CERD will serve as overseer. “Unfortunately, the PCP informed us that they had to slash their operational budget and was afraid that this might not frustrate the people’s expectation,” said Tiro.
There was no recourse but to seek help from the local government. “Fortunately,” said Tiro, “Vice Mayor Crispo Jabagat pledged to find a solution, indicating possible fund sourcing from the local government unit.”
For this group, it is definitely something to look forward to. “As you can see, there is so much expectation of the project in the community level. Even as we were constructing it, tinabangay gyud.”
COMMUNITY VISION
Spearheading the work is the Ladies United with Men Onwards to Development (LUMOT), a village organization headed by Gemma Gades, president. “We have been looking forward to this and we will see to it that it will work.” Gades said.
At present, Istong and a few other community leaders went through a crash course on handling eggs of marine turtles given by the PCP. “We envisioned that the whole community will be trained to do it so they can manage it among themselves.” Gades said.
All eggs found in the villages along the Hinatuan Bay will be brought to the hatchery for safekeeping until they are hatched and the hatchlings freed to the sea. Another plan is to designate a trained person in charge who will roam around and retrieve the eggs. “This is to ensure that the project will be sustainable,” Gades said.
Another thing to consider is the reward system. “We need to give at least some sort of rewards to the fishermen and their families who will come all the way from other islands just to deliver the eggs. Like T-shits and hats, for instance, but not necessarily money,” said Tiro.
INFO DRIVE
One other important aspect of the hatchery project is education. While a greater number of the people know the legal complications of catching endangered marine species, there are still those who refuse to follow the law and secretly slaughter the animals.
“We need to thoroughly educate the public, convince them that this is more than just economics or one quick meal.” Said Gades, who is known in the village as a strict and a no-nonsense marine life advocate.
Of the eight marine turtle species the world over, five are found here. They are the Olive Ridley, Leatherback, Hawksbill, Loggerhead and Green Turtles. It’s probably one place in the country where a variety of these gentle creatures are found – a marine wealth for the people of Hinatuan and beyond.