In celebration of World Sea Turtle Day on June 16, 2026, the University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) officially launched the PaWeCanihan Project, a community-based marine turtle conservation initiative aimed at strengthening community-based coastal stewardship and the protection of endangered, threatened, and protected (ETP) marine species in Southern Iloilo.
The project launching was held at the UP Visayas – College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS) FC Conference Room, Umali Hall in Miagao, Iloilo, bringing together local government partners, national government agencies, and conservation stakeholders committed to advancing marine biodiversity conservation.
This project is entitled “Communities in Conservation: Strengthening Community-based Marine Turtle Conservation and Coastal Stewardship in Miagao, Iloilo,” is a one-year mentored research initiative funded through the UPV Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Extension (OVCRE) In-House Research Program. It is implemented by Asst. Prof. Jonalyn P. Mateo and Ms. Precious Nikola B. Gaurana of the UPV Institute of Marine Fisheries and Oceanology (IMFO) and UPV Museum of Natural Sciences (MNS), Mr. Jose Marie A. Eslopor of the UPV Regional Research Center (RRC), under the mentorship of Prof. Harold M. Monteclaro, PhD, Dean of the UPV College of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences (CFOS).
Anchored on the principle of “bayanihan” for pawikan conservation, the PaWeCanihan Project seeks to address existing knowledge, management, and governance gaps in marine turtle and ETP species conservation. Through participatory research approaches, the initiative aims to document local ecological knowledge, assess community perceptions and participation, map marine turtle sightings and nesting areas, and evaluate coastal resources supporting marine biodiversity across Miagao and the broader Southern Iloilo coastline.
The project ultimately aims to generate comprehensive baseline information that will guide evidence-based conservation strategies, strengthen community engagement, and support sustainable coastal resource management initiatives in the region.
The launching activity was participated in by representatives from the Municipal Agriculture Offices (MAO) and Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Offices (MENRO) of the Local Government Units of Oton, Tigbauan, Guimbal, Miagao, and San Joaquin, alongside partner institutions including the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Center (SEAFDEC) – Aquaculture Department (FishWorld), Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) Guimbal, Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Region VI, and Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) Region VI.
The morning session highlighted previous conservation efforts initiated through the CFOS Pagpanghimanwa Program, particularly discussions on streamlining response protocols for marine turtle and ETP species encounters. This was followed by the presentation of the PaWeCanihan Project’s rationale, objectives, and proposed collaborative mechanisms to strengthen partnerships among coastal local government units, research institutions, and government agencies.
An open forum provided an avenue for stakeholders to share experiences, identify conservation challenges, and discuss opportunities for improving marine turtle response, monitoring, and protection efforts across Southern Iloilo.
The afternoon session focused on stakeholder consultation and collaborative planning. Participants engaged in stakeholder identification exercises, participatory coastal resource mapping, and discussions on potential institutional partnerships through Memoranda of Agreement (MOA) among partner agencies and organizations.
A significant outcome of the launching activity was the establishment of the official communication platform for the Pawikan and other ETP Quick Response Team of the Iloilo Southern Development Alliance, creating a coordinated mechanism for reporting, responding to, and managing marine turtle and other ETP sightings, strandings, and nesting activities within the region.
The launch of the PaWeCanihan Project marks an important milestone toward building a science-based, community-driven, and collaborative conservation network for marine turtles and other protected marine species in Southern Iloilo. Through strengthened partnerships among communities, researchers, local governments, and conservation agencies, the initiative hopes to contribute to the institutionalization of local policies, sustained resource allocation, and long-term coastal biodiversity conservation efforts in the Southern Iloilo District.
Written by JM Eslopor
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