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The Provincial Environment and Natural Resources (PENRO) ZN led by SVECOMS Almario M. Kaabay, Jr. spearheaded the consultation meeting with the LGUs and stakeholders on the proposed establishment of Marine Turle Nesting Site Network in the Province of Zamboanga del Norte on March 14, 2023 at Zamboanga del Norte Cultural and Sports Center, Dipolog City.

The meeting was attended by Provincial Environment and Management Officer (PEMO) Atty. Evince Earl C. Columnas, VP for Research, Dev't. and Extension representing Jose Rizal Memorial State University System, Dr. Maria Rio A. Naguit, Ph.D, Atty. Rafael R. Osabel, Jr., Local Government Units, Barangay Captains, Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Officers (MENROs), City Environment and Natural Resources Offices, Municipal Agriculturist, and the Municipal Tourism Officer, CENROs, PAMBCUs and CRMUs Chief of the CENROs, and PENR Office personnel, which totalled to 76 attendees.

"To inform conservationist, policy makers, and coastal developers and to encourage cities and municipalities to work together to save earth, habitat, and protect these ocean creatures. This consultation is a collaboration of two (2) cities and eleven (11) municipalities in the province of Zamboanga del Norte with Community Environment and Natural Resources Offices (CENROs) of PiƱan, Manukan, Liloy and Siocon." SVECOMS Kaabay stressed.

In his welcome remarks, PEMO Atty. Evince Earl C. Columnas stated that the provincial Local Government Unit of Zamboanga del Norte gave their full support to this intitiave as Marine turtles play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our marine ecosystem and their presence is the indicator of the overall health of our seas and our oceans.

He further stated that the establishment of a marine turtle nesting site network bring economic benefits to our local communities through sustainable tourism. Protecting marine turtles in Zamboanga del Norte is not only a responsibility but also an opportunity for us to contribute to the conservation of our planet's biodiversity.

The consultation meeting successfully ended with favorable results from the LGUs and stakeholders and were unanimously amenable to the establishment of marine turtle nesting site network in the province. This only means that we will be moving forward to secure a brighter future for our province's natural resources.

The establishment of marine turtle site network in Zamboanga del Norte is a critical step towards protecting endangered species and in preserving our natural resources by creating a safe and protected environment for marine turtles to nest.

ZDN Establishment of Marine Turtle Nesting 1 ZDN Establishment of Marine Turtle Nesting 2