The Aboitiz Group embarks on a crowdfunding drive called ‘BetterWorld for the Pawikan’ to raise awareness and enlist public support to protect and preserve the critically endangered hawksbill sea turtle, commonly known as pawikan.
According to World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), the hawksbill sea turtle is one of seven known marine turtle species in the world, and one of five found within Philippine territory. The Aboitiz Cleanergy Park in Punta Dumalag, Matina Aplaya, Davao City is one of the few remaining nesting grounds of the hawksbill sea turtle. In April last year, the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park was officially inaugurated with the purpose of providing a sanctuary for the pawikan, as well as the other 66 species of marine animals and mangrove trees that thrive in the protected area.
The ‘#BetterWorld for the Pawikan’ is jointly led by the Aboitiz Foundation, Davao Light, and AEV Reputation Management Department with the goal of raising funds for the maintenance of the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park and the conservation of the pawikans that nest in the area. To date, the Park harbors 17 nesting grounds and has already released 1,876 hatchlings as of December 2015.
Harmful human activities cause the decline of the pawikan population. Like other sea turtles, hawksbills are endangered by the loss of nesting and feeding habitats, excessive egg collection, fishery-related mortality, polluted seas, and coastal development. Among their species, they are most threatened by wildlife trade. Pawikans play an important role in the coastal ecosystem. They maintain the health of coral reefs and seagrass beds, ultimately facilitating the sustainable population of fishes and other marine life.
To support the ‘BetterWorld for the Pawikan’ campaign, go to http://ushare.unionbankph.com/aboitiz/
FRENCH WINEMAKERS PLEDGE TO SAVE PHILIPPINE PAWIKANS
The Aboitiz Group’s ‘#BetterWorld For The Pawikan’ initiative has gained valuable partners in 18 French winemakers who donated P340,000 to the campaign. Present at the turnover ceremony last March 17 were (from left) Sofitel Director F&B Damien Marchenay, AWC Philippines Sales and Marketing Manager Hugo Moronval, AWC Philippines Business Development Manager Justine Villareal, Sofitel General Manager Adam Laker, Sofitel Resident Manager Alfredo Denage, and Sofitel Sales & Marketing Director Alice Jenkins.
