Some 45 sea turtle hatchlings were released by Bantay Dagat personnel of Sipalay City in Negros Occidental province at the Poblacion Beach on Wednesday morning.

Bantay Dagat coordinator Edsel Toledo said they found the nest end of November 2022 and secured it until the eggs hatched, which usually happens after 60 days.

The hatchlings came from one of the three nests closely monitored by the Bantay Dagat, he added.

Toledo said the species of the hatchlings is still being determined.

This is the third time sea turtle hatchlings were released in Sipalay City this year, after two batches of hatchlings were returned to their natural habitat in January.

On Jan. 10, the city government reported that 82 baby turtles were released after a monitoring of its nest at the local conservation area in Barangay 5.

On the same day, 22 hatchlings were also returned to sea in Barangay Nauhang, after these were turned over to the Bantay Dagat.

In an earlier statement, the city government led by Mayor Maria Gina Lizares said these are results of the local marine conservation efforts.

“We are encouraging the locals to participate in our conservation efforts not only in marine lives but also in our forests areas and other natural resources,” it added.

In February last year, Bantay Dagat personnel also released 13 newly-hatched green sea turtles in Barangay 5. (PNA)