Zambales town gears up for Pawikan Festival

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales — The nearby San Narciso town in this province is gearing up for this year’s Pawikan Festival, a three-day celebration aimed at promoting marine conservation and protection of sea turtles, locally known as pawikan.

The festival, celebrated every January 14 to 16 and organized by the local government of San Narciso, brings together environmental advocates, ocean lovers, fisherfolk, and local communities in a shared effort to protect marine biodiversity and safeguard sea turtle hatchlings along the town’s coastline.

READ: Fisherfolk discover 81 pawikan hatchlings in Calapan

Carrying the theme “Salakniban,” an Ilokano term meaning “to shield or protect,” the festival shows the community’s commitment to defending the seas and marine life.

Activities lined up include a Salakniban parade, ceremonial release of hatchlings, educational exhibits and lectures on sea turtle conservation practices, coastal clean-up drives, and a video contest.

The festival is expected to draw participants from neighboring towns and environmental groups, reinforcing the town’s role as a steward of coastal and marine conservation.

San Narciso is home to Pawicare hatchery, a local marine conservation initiative that is dedicated to protecting and conserving sea turtles and their nesting sites along the town’s coast.

Led by the local government in partnership with environmental groups, volunteers, and coastal communities, Pawicare monitors nesting areas, safeguards hatchlings, and promotes responsible coastal practices to reduce threats to sea turtles.

Through education campaigns, beach patrols, and community involvement, the initiative plays a key role in ensuring the safe journey of pawikan hatchlings from shore to sea and strengthening environmental stewardship among residents./coa