On December 16, 2024, the DagYoung Student Ambassadors of West Visayas State University (WVSU), in partnership with the Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN), Federated Student Council (FSC), and the Development Communicators’ Society, successfully held the first training-seminar for the Sanctuarium Maris: Sea Turtle Nest Protection Project in Barangay Atabayan, Tigbauan, Iloilo.

This project, funded by the Embassy of France to the Philippines and Micronesia, is driven by the student ambassadors, a university-recognized internationalization arm of WVSU International and Local Linkages Office, showcases the power of volunteerism, community collaboration, and sustainable environmental stewardship.

Amabela Fiona Le B. Benid, a DagYoung Student Ambassador, opened the seminar by presenting project’s rationale and the importance of Barangay Atabayan as a nesting ground for olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), a species classified as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). She noted that the barangay has served as a frequent nesting ground for sea turtles, while also experiencing high rates of stranded and injured turtles.

Barangay Captain Hon. Edison T. Camiña followed with a discussion on the “Power of Atabayan Unity for Environmental Projects,” stressing the significance of community collaboration in addressing environmental challenges. Sangguniang Barangay Member Hon. Julius E. Trafalgar underscored the importance of volunteerism, while Hon. Rowena C. Torrechante highlighted the critical roles of women and youth in achieving positive and sustainable change.

A key segment of the seminar was led by Forester Jojie P. Gereza from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Community Environment and Natural Resources Office (CENRO) in Guimbal. Gereza provided an in-depth discussion on sea turtle biology, conservation protocols, and proper procedures for responding to stranded or injured turtles.

The forum was facilitated by Dr. Ricky Abaleña III, the project’s Strategies and Communication Consultant, and commenced by DagYoung Student Ambassador Johnric G. Vargas, Special Projects Coordinator. Participants engaged in discussions on community education strategies, nest identification, and the role of local government units in incentivizing conservation initiatives.

The Sanctuarium Maris project is designed to unfold in phases, starting with community education to enhance awareness about sea turtle conservation. It also aims to empower women and youth to identify, monitor, and protect nesting grounds while fostering a deeper understanding of marine life’s ecological importance. The project further provides opportunities for local government units to support conservation efforts through data-driven incentives.

Barangay Atabayan has long been recognized as a critical nesting site for sea turtles, with reports of hatchlings emerging on its shores as recently as 2020. However, the community also faces challenges, such as stranded and injured turtles, a trend reflected in multiple sightings over the years. According to local data, from 2001 to 2011, 109 sea turtles were spotted in the area, many of which were wounded. In 2020 alone, 11 turtles were rescued from fish traps or found stranded along the coast.

Given the community’s reliance on fishing as a primary source of livelihood, the project introduces strategies that merge conservation with practical and economic benefits. By involving women and youth, the Sanctuarium Maris initiative seeks to build a network of “first responders” who are trained to protect sea turtles and ensure their safe return to the ocean.

The first training-seminar underscores WVSU’s leadership in promoting environmental responsibility and volunteerism. Through this initiative, the university, together with its partner organizations and the Atabayan community, sets a foundation for protecting endangered marine species while inspiring collective action for environmental sustainability.

With the combined efforts of WVSU’s student organizations, government leaders, and residents, Sanctuarium Maris sets an inspiring example of what leadership and collaboration can achieve. As sea turtles return to Tigbauan’s shores year after year,