The farthest islands in the Bangsamoro region yet the most majestic with the vast fauna and flora this set of islands is home to, the Turtle Islands Wildlife Sanctuary in the province of Tawi-Tawi, BARMM is ready to become an ASEAN Heritage Park.
Together with the Provincial Environment, Natural Resources, and Energy Office of Tawi-Tawi, validators from the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity, Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Biodiversity Management Bureau, and Mindanao Development Authority, the MENRE Biodiversity, Ecosystems, Research and Development Services fronted by BERDS Chief Joeffry L. Kamid went on a 3-day island visit to the six islands group of a 242,967-hectare turtle sanctuary from April 25 to 27.
The first stop was on the Lihiman Islands, where the smallest mud volcano in the Philippines can be found. According to the Protected Area Superintendent Minda Bairulla, the status of nesting incidence remains low in volume as it has not yet reached its peak season.
Moving to another beautiful island, the Booan Island, the validating team witnessed the century-old mangroves: the ‘pagatpat’ (Sonneratia alba) and gray mangrove (Avicenna marina).
“It looks healthy. Can I take these islands and include them in our three islands in Malaysia?” said in jest by Dr. Juanita Joseph, an expert from the University of Sabah Malaysia, as she delightfully roamed around the areas of Langaan Islands, where juvenile turtles stroll freely.
Data reveals that the islands welcome thousands of sea turtles every year. In 2012, recorded nesters peaked at over 21,000, the highest since 1988.
Despite the sun’s persistence in scorching the skin of every hopper, they managed to continue to navigate the islands. The next stopover happened on the island of Great Bakkungan. The validating team spent their hour regaining and reenergizing, enjoying the white sands and crystalline swells of waters from the horizon. In fact, on the right side of the island, you can see the small bakkungan, but it is already in the perimeter of Malaysia.
In addition, the team decided to pack up and continue to roam around and observe some seagrasses. These are found in the Langaan Islands. The seagrass is comprised mainly of pioneer species such as Halophila ovalis and Halodule uninervis.
On the third day, strong winds and waves welcomed the jam-packed morning of the validators and other personnel, leaving them unable to visit the last island, the Baguan Islands, where big green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) come to nest. However, delegates from MENRE proceeded to the said island riding on the shrimp boat locally called ‘tampasak’ so as not to miss the once-in-a-lifetime experience of turtle nesting.
The validators, who followed after a night, witnessed the release of the approximately 120-140 hatchlings in the islands at Sector 2.
Dr. Joseph immediately stated her claim and started sharing that once a person wishes to the hatchling, it will come true. Before the day had aged, the whole team wrapped up and left the islands with the hope of continued preservation of the BARMM’s turtle haven.
