Davao City schoolchildren got the chance to learn about sustainable practices and the conservation of marine biodiversity at Aboitiz PawiCAMP, a day camp dedicated to the pawikan conservation, protection, and preservation in the area.

Held within the eight-hectare Aboitiz Cleanergy Park (home to the critically-endangered hawksbill sea turtle or pawikan and 66 other animal species) in Punta Dumalag, Davao City, Aboitiz PawiCAMP welcomed last October 11 a total of 30 student-campers eager to learn more about pawikan conservation. They were from nearby Matina Central Elementary School and Diego Silang Elementary School.

The student-campers (and accompanying adults) were taught sustainable community practices for the conservation of the pawikan in the area. Since the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park’s opening, there are 3,482 hatchlings released in the area. To contribute to biodiversity management in the coastal area, 13,179 mangroves were planted, which then increased bird sightings of 55 species in the marine protected area.

The students’ visit culminated with their witnessing of the release of pawikan hatchlings into the ocean.

The role of informing and educating communities about the importance of protecting the critically endangered pawikan starts with our schools. We are glad to provide an enriching experience for our Aboitiz PawiCAMP-ers as they embark on a sustainability journey to help save our pawikan.

– Maribeth L. Marasigan, First Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Aboitiz Foundation

Aboitiz PawiCAMP is a partnership between the Aboitiz Foundation, Davao Light, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources-Region XI, the Department of Education-Davao City and Junior Chamber International-Davao. It is solely funded via KINDer by Aboitiz, an Aboitiz-developed crowdfunding website.