REPORT ON THE CONDUCTED HABITAT POPULATION SURVEY

AND NESTING SITE MONITORING OF MARINE TURTLE FOR THE

2nd SEMESTER, C.Y. 2023
I. BACKGROUND

Marine turtle cyclic monitoring is a yearly activity of this Office from March to
September. Its mission is to conserve and protect marine turtle species in their natural
habitats from illegal anthropological activities. Destruction and encroachment by humans
greatly affect the marine sea turtle ecosystem. These regular activities have a great impact in
terms of the protection and conservation of the marine turtles in the Northern Sierra Madre
Natural Park (NSMNP). The said activity aims to identify the remaining numbers
of marine turtles and to know what level of protection we need to lessen, if not eradicate, the
threats these species experience

The Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys
imbricata) were the species most consistently observed yearly in sea turtle sanctuary and
some shoreline of Dinapigue, Isabela, among the five species of marine turtle found in the
Philippines.

II. LEGAL BASIS

The activity on the Marine Turtle Survey and Monitoring is aligned with the Wildlife Act
of 2001 and NSMNP Act of 2001. It is further supported through appropriations under the
DENR RO2 Work and Financial Plan, C.Y. 2023.

III. RESULTS AND OBSERVATIONS

a. HABITAT AND POPULATION MONITORING

The wildlife monitoring team of CENR Sub-office Dinapigue has conducted another
cycle of Marine Turtle monitoring on August 15-19July 4–6, 2023, at Sitio Catambunan and
Sitio Kasungutanlabituan, Barangay Dimaluadebulo Dinapigue, Isabela. Three (43)-nighttime
and daytime monitoring in an approximate distance of 3.61.7 km stretches of So.
Catambunan and 1.2 km stretches of So. Kasungautanlabituan, Dimaluadebulo, Dinapigue,
Isabela were monitored from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. through foot patrolling.

There were three no tracks monitored at So. Catambunan and four at So. Kasungutan with
a , nests, however no eggs because it illegally poached, and sea turtles observed during
monitoring compared to previous monitoring, where only one paira pair of tracks were
recorded at the same monitoring site. An anthropological threat was observed during the
previous and new cycles of monitoring.

Table 1. Comparison of previous and new cycles of habitat population survey and nesting site monitoring
observations.
Monitoring Nesting Site Number Number Number of Threats
Date of of Eggs
Tracks Nester

1|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 *Rampant hunting of sea
June 6-10, Sitio Catambunan turtle in the nesting site.
2023 Brgy. Dimaluade, 1 pair 0 0
*Anthropological
Dina. Isa.
activities at the nesting
site such as fishing using
hook and rod, and fish
net (Lambat).
Sitio Calabituan
July 4-6, 2023 Brgy. Dibulo, 0 0 0
Dina. Isa.

Sitio Catambunan
Brgy. Dimaluade
Dina. Isa. 3 3 0
August 25-19,
2023 Sitio Kasungutan
Brgy. Dimaluade
Dina. Isa. 4 4 0

Table 2. Team composition during the conduct of habitat papulation survey and nesting site
monitoring of marine turtle at Dinapigue.
Name Position
Mark Cesar S. Lanuza Forester II
Mariolito Ortiz Forest Technician II/TL
Jonathan S. Dulnuan Forest Technician I
John Vincent Donato Forest Technician I
Ricardo Boñon Forest Ranger
Jerico BañagaErnesto Candido Park Ranger
Alexander BantaMarcelo Park RangerForest Protection Officer
Candelario
Jebrian Marzan Forest Protection Officer
Mark Christian H. Soliven DMC-DENRO Lead Man

2|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 Figure 1. Showing the Location Map of Sea Turtle Monitoring Site for July 2023.

3|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 b. ETHNOBIOLOGICAL SURVEY

The conduct of an ethnobiological survey of marine turtles will support the

information gathered during the conduct of habitat papulation survey monitoring. The
data gathered in this activity will guide the conservation team in the planning of their
activities with regards to marine turtle monitoring. These regular activities also have a
great impact in terms of the protection and conservation of the marine turtles in the
Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park (NSMNP).

The ethnological interviews were conducted to individuals who had encountered or

caught a marine turtle during their fishing activity.

Table 3. Months when Marine turtles are mostly observed based on interviews.
Month Respondents Percentage
March to April 2 40%
March to August 3 60%
Total respondent 5 100%

Based on the result shown in (Table 3), sixty percent (60%) of the total respondents
state that they observed and encountered a Marine turtle mostly from March to August,

swimming along the coast of Dinapigue stretch to Sitio Divinisa shown in (Table 4),
while
the percent (40%) said that they observed and encountered a Marine turtle from March to

April. All of them also mention that they mostly saw these species in Sitio Catambunan
and So. Kasungutan, Barangay Dimaluade Dinapigue, Isabela.

Furthermore, most of the respondents talked about the decreasing number of marine

turtles seen and encountered during the past year because of rapid hunting and poaching
of Marine Turtle eggs at nesting sites. However, all the respondents agreed to discontinue
hunting and poaching of the said species which have an ecological role in the
maintenance of the health of the coral reefs.

Table 4. Places where the Marine turtle is mostly observed based on the interviews conducted.
Place Observed Number of Percentage
Respondents
Respondents

(Number of
respondent
who said seen
at some
placed)

Sitio Calabituan, Dibulo Dinapigue, Isabela 1 2020%

Sitio Catambunan, Dimaluade Dinapigue, isabela 5 100100%

Sitio Kasungutan, Dimaluade Dinapigue, isabela 5 100100%

4|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 Sitio Divinisa Dimaluade Dinapigue, Isabela 4 880%

Total Respondents 5 Nalito ako dito, respondents

total or respondent number
as in code nya
Note: Number of Respondents, whom said and observed the Marine Turtle in some places

5|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

IV. SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATION

Based on the observation of the two monitoring sites at Sitio Catambunan and Sitio
Kasungutan, both were suitable for nesting sites because of their physical features
however, out of seven observed tracks were all illegally poached based on the inspection
and observation made by the Team during the monitoring and also evidence seen at the
area like footprints all over the nest and hole used to be dig by human or illegal poacher
Sitio Calabituan was easy to access, and from time to time there are anthropological
activities that threaten the life and nesting site of a Marine turtle. This were a
recurrentpetitive observation of the Team where we are one step behind from a poacher
because the team monitored only one week every month during the nesting season,
howeverso those poacher seem very clever to do the activity in the long three week every
month so our effort maybe not enough but we can do more through collaboration of other
stakeholder to prohibit and deter the illegally poacher of our Marine species. at so grudge
These includes the presence of a mini resort owned by Retired Uniformed personnel.
Even though he had an environmental minde set, we cannot ensure the safety of the said
species because the ASPIN (Asong Pinoy) is the only guard served in the said mini resort,
but it has not been proven yet that there is a nester at this site.

Nonetheless, in the declared Marine Turtle Sanctuary of LGU Dinapigue at Sitio

Catambunanlabituan, where the team mostly observed nesters of Marine sea turtles
yearly, it was the best site for habitat and population survey monitoring of the said species
because, aside from the results of ethnobiological surveys gathered, we have already had
records since 2020–2022., and itIt is important to continue what we have started in this
nesting site for us to have a good source of quality data to determine the status of the said
species, and this data will also be useful as future references for possible research studies
and activities regarding the conservation of these species.

Based on the observations made during habitat population survey monitoring, the
following is highly recommended to maintain and prohibit any form of illegal destruction
or activity at the nesting site:

[1.] Creation of Pawikan Task ForceContinuous deputation of DENR employees and

Bantay Dagat from LGU as " or Bantay Pawikan" to prevent illegal activities
occurring in the area and to ensure the safety of the sea turtles and hatchlings while
going back to the wild all throughout the nesting season.

1.[2.] Hired Pawikan Conservation Volunteer, whom work only is to monitor the nesting
area of Maine turtle specially during Nesting Season

2. Continues regular monitoring in the Marine Turtle Sanctuary from March to

September each year in daily basis.

3. Marine turtle conservation and protection training for the monitoring team and Bantay
Dagat from LGU.

4. Conduct a clean-up drive at the nesting site.

6|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 5. Prohibit human activities in the marine turtle sanctuary during nesting season, to be
supported by a local ordinance.

6. Integration of the Wildlife Act into local resolutions or ordinances is also

recommended by the team to the LGU within jurisdiction over the Pawikan sanctuary.

7. Collaboration with the Private Company, the Dinapigue Mining Corporation, through
a Memorandum of Agreement in the protection and conservation of the Sea Turtle
and its nesting sites within Dinapigue;

8. Based on the ethnobiological survey conducted by the team, continued monitoring

and assessment of the Marine Turtle Sanctuary is highly recommended during the
months of March to August.
9. Sitio Catambunan and Sitio Kasungutan of Barangay Dimaluade Dinapigue, Isabela,
are the most commonly seen and encountered Marine turtles, so the Team conducts
IMPLAN activity in the area.

7|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

V. PHOTO DOCUMENTATION

Photo 1. Photo showing the sea turtle monitoring Photo 2. Photo showing the sea turtle monitoring
through foot patrolling. through foot patrolling.

Photo 3. Photo showing the sea turtle monitoring Photo 4. Photo showing the sea turtle
through foot patrolling. monitoringEnthobiological survey to selected
interviewees. through foot patrolling

Photo 5. Photo showing the Clean-up Photo 6. Photo showing the clean-up
activityEthno-biological survey to selected activityEthno-biological survey to selected
interviewees. interviewees.

8|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

Photo 6. Photo showing the Ethno-biological
survey to selected interviewees.

Photo 6. Photo showing the Ethno-biological Photo 6. Photo showing the Ethno-biological
survey to selected interviewees. survey to selected interviewees.

Photo 6. Photo showing the LAWIN Patrol Photo 6. Photo showing the LAWIN Patrol
monitoring Ethno-biological survey to selected monitoring.Ethno-biological survey to selected
interviewees. interviewees.

Field Reports by:

9|SEA TURTLE MONITORING 2 nd Semester, C.Y. 2023

 NotedReview and edits by:
MARIOLITO C. ORTIZ
FT II, TL Sea Turtle Monitoring

CHERISH JUNE G.
HOLONGBAYANMARK CESAR S.
LANUZA
FII/OICSenior EMS/Chief, CDS

Report consolidated by: Noted by:

GREGELYN V. MIRANDA JIMYRUS M. DIEGO

EMS II/ Chief, PAMBCU Supervising EMS, CENRO Palanan

Approved by:

FEDERICO P. CAUILAN JR., Ph.D.

CENR Officer

10 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
ANNEX 1. LETTER OF COORDINATION

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12 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
13 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
14 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
ANNEX 2. ETHNOBIOLOICAL SURVEY FORMS

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16 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
17 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
LAWIN REPORT

Attach scanned copies with transmittal

ANNEX 23. LAWIN PATROL REPORTAttach scanned copies with transmittal

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office

_____________________________________________________________________

1511, AugustJuly 2023

MEMORANDUM

FOR : The CENR Officer

Palanan, Isabela

THRU : The Data Manager

FROM : The Patrol Team Leader

SUBJECT : ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT ON LAWIN AND

BIODIVERSITY FOREST PROTECTION, SURVEILLANCE
AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES

RATIONALE

The administrative jurisdiction of DENR CENRO Palanan covers four (4) coastal
municipalities in the province namely: Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan and Dinapigue and at
the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park that abound rich natural resources from ridge to reef.
It was estimated at more than two hundred thousand hectares of forest cover area and most of
it are still intact and covered with pristine forests of different types such as mossy forest,
mountain forest, dipterocarp forest, molave forest, beach forest and mangrove forest.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The biodiversity and monitoring system through Lawin are very essential tool and
effective response in monitoring the resources in protected area and recording through (smart
phone) on threats observed in the identified/designated forest conservation area particularly
on wildlife hunting, kaingin making, timber poaching and any other form of forest
destruction within the jurisdiction of the Office.

18 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
 Please be informed that organized patrollers of this office had conducted LAWIN,
biodiversity and forest protection in the conservation areas of Sitio CatambunanManabuhak,
Barangay Dimaluade of this Municipality on August 15July 11, 2023 during the Habitat and
population survey of Sea TurtleFlying Fox monitoring..

That the team seen and recorded Two (2) Philippine Tariktik, recorded tracks of warty
pighawk and brown dove at their conservation area. A total of 2.86 Kilometers patrolled.
Organized patrollers continuously performed periodic patrol to deter the cutting/gathering of
forest product or any other form of forest destruction in the municipality and interpersonal
approach among the individuals as part of Information drive to create awareness on
biodiversity conservation, protection of Natural Resources in the municipality.

LEGAL BASIS

Joint FMB-BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2016-01 (Enhancing Forest Protection

through Application of the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System).

AGENCIES INVOLVED

The application and implementation of forest protection through Lawin is shared

responsibilities among the DENR CENRO and LGU will jointly conduct patrolling activities.
The BLGU and DENR volunteers are also partners in Lawin patrols.

COORDINATION

For security purposes among others, closely coordinated to the Local Government
Unit, Barangay Local Government Units, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army
based here in the municipality to ensure the safety of the patrollers.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM

The presence of lawless elements in the municipality will hamper the Office activity
particularly on forest protection works.

RECOMMENDATION

Given the safety protocols which is attributed by COVID 19 the DENR

CENRO and LGU shall meet regularly and discusses the findings of the patrollers
which are used as basis in planning implementation, appropriate and timely responses
to the threats.

FOR INFORMATION AND RECORD.

Team members.

19 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
MARIOLITO C. ORTIZ JERICHO BAÑAGA
Patrol Team Leader Park Ranger

JEBRIAN MARZAN MARCELO C.

CANDELARIO III
FPO FPO

ALEXANDER BANTA ERNESTO C. CANDIDO JR.

Park Ranger Park Ranger

Department of Environment and Natural Resources

Community Environment and Natural Resources Office

_____________________________________________________________________

16, August 2023

MEMORANDUM

FOR : The CENR Officer

Palanan, Isabela

THRU : The Data Manager

FROM : The Patrol Team Leader

SUBJECT : ACCOMPLISHMENT REPORT ON LAWIN AND

BIODIVERSITY FOREST PROTECTION, SURVEILLANCE
AND MONITORING ACTIVITIES

RATIONALE

The administrative jurisdiction of DENR CENRO Palanan covers four (4) coastal
municipalities in the province namely: Maconacon, Divilacan, Palanan and Dinapigue and at
the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park that abound rich natural resources from ridge to reef.
It was estimated at more than two hundred thousand hectares of forest cover area and most of
it are still intact and covered with pristine forests of different types such as mossy forest,
mountain forest, dipterocarp forest, molave forest, beach forest and mangrove forest.

FACTUAL BACKGROUND

The biodiversity and monitoring system through Lawin are very essential tool and
effective response in monitoring the resources in protected area and recording through (smart

20 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
phone) on threats observed in the identified/designated forest conservation area particularly
on wildlife hunting, kaingin making, timber poaching and any other form of forest
destruction within the jurisdiction of the Office.

Please be informed that organized patrollers of this office had conducted LAWIN,
biodiversity and forest protection in the conservation areas of Sitio Catambunan, Barangay
Dimaluade of this Municipality on August 16, 2023 during the Habitat and population survey
of Sea Turtle monitoring.

That the team heard and recorded Two (2) Rufous Hornbill and brown dove at their
conservation area. A total of 1.2 Kilometers patrolled. Organized patrollers continuously
performed periodic patrol to deter the cutting/gathering of forest product or any other form of
forest destruction in the municipality and interpersonal approach among the individuals as
part of Information drive to create awareness on biodiversity conservation, protection of
Natural Resources in the municipality.

LEGAL BASIS

Joint FMB-BMB Technical Bulletin No. 2016-01 (Enhancing Forest Protection

through Application of the Lawin Forest and Biodiversity Protection System).

AGENCIES INVOLVED

The application and implementation of forest protection through Lawin is shared

responsibilities among the DENR CENRO and LGU will jointly conduct patrolling activities.
The BLGU and DENR volunteers are also partners in Lawin patrols.

COORDINATION

For security purposes among others, closely coordinated to the Local Government
Unit, Barangay Local Government Units, Philippine National Police and Philippine Army
based here in the municipality to ensure the safety of the patrollers.

POTENTIAL PROBLEM

The presence of lawless elements in the municipality will hamper the Office activity
particularly on forest protection works.

RECOMMENDATION

Given the safety protocols which is attributed by COVID 19 the DENR

CENRO and LGU shall meet regularly and discusses the findings of the patrollers
which are used as basis in planning implementation, appropriate and timely responses
to the threats.

FOR INFORMATION AND RECORD.

21 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3
MARIOLITO C. ORTIZ
Patrol Team Leader

22 | S E A T U R T L E M O N I T O R I N G 2 n d S e m e s t e r , C . Y . 2 0 2 3