BALER, Aurora — A total of 127 green sea turtle hatchlings were released into Baler Bay as part of a joint conservation effort by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the local government of Baler.

The hatchlings were released near the Aurora Watershed Forest Reserve protected area after personnel from the DENR Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Dingalan and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office of Baler monitored a marine turtle nest.

DENR Community Environment Officer Jimmy Aberin said the release was part of the agency’s continuing efforts to protect marine turtles and their nesting and feeding habitats.

“Personnel from the CENRO Dingalan Conservation and Development Section and the Protected Area Management Office, together with the Baler municipal environment office, monitored the nest and facilitated the safe release of the hatchlings toward the adjacent Pacific Ocean,” Aberin said.

DENR Regional Executive Director Ralph Pablo said the successful release underscored the importance of sustained cooperation among government agencies, local communities, conservation groups and other stakeholders in protecting marine ecosystems and biodiversity.

“This initiative demonstrates how collective action, sustained commitment, and shared responsibility can contribute meaningfully to the conservation and restoration of marine resources for present and future generations,” Pablo said.

DENR and local environment personnel are also continuing to monitor two other marine turtle nesting sites in Baler. Hatchling emergence at the sites is expected between Sept. 9 and Oct. 22, 2026.

The green sea turtle, or Chelonia mydas, is a marine turtle species whose nesting and feeding habitats are protected under Philippine conservation laws. (DENR CL- Press Release)