THE vulnerable Olive Ridley sea turtles located in San Pascual, Batangas, recorded a stark increase in hatchlings the past two years, due to the annual Chevron Coastal Cleanups. The number of hatchlings grew from 23 in 2022 to 768 in 2024.
During this year’s event, 206 volunteers showed up along the 5-kilometer shoreline of Chevron Batangas terminal to collect 239 sacks of trash, equivalent to 12 tons, in time for sea turtles’ nesting season.
According to Charlene Constantino of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ Community Environment and Natural Resources Office in Lipa, Chevron’s long-standing partnership with the government for the coastal cleanups has “truly benefited the Olive Ridley turtle population.”
Volunteers participate in this year’s coastal cleanup hosted by Chevron
Philippines. PHOTO FROM CHEVRON
She identified this species’ unique trait as its return to its hatching grounds to lay its eggs. She is inviting more volunteers to join future coastal cleanups to ensure that the species’ population will continue to grow.
Constantino said in Filipino, “We look forward to the time when the next generations will not only see these turtles through a book but also for them to have a firsthand encounter.”
Batangas terminal manager Ray Año said they encourage all their employees to participate in activities that help the environment. Arlita Narag, Chevron Holdings Inc. (CHI) corporate affairs manager, also noted “the cleanup can ensure that less waste ends up in the oceans and on shorelines where they negatively impact marine life.”
In a statement acknowledging that it cannot do these annual cleanups alone, Chevron said that “it has fostered meaningful partnerships with the local government and other private companies over the years and enlisted their members as cleanup volunteers.”
Hosting the local San Pascual cleanup since 2007, Chevron Philippines Inc., marketer of Caltex fuels and lubricants, CHI, Chevron’s global shared services organization based in the country, joined forces in October 2024 with several partner organizations and volunteers.
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