By: Villamor C. Visaya Jr.

(Published in its print edition on June 14 – 20, 2025)

AS CAGAYAN Province celebrates the 442nd Aggao Nac Cagayan, a pet show is always one event being continuously done annually.

Nothing compares the love of fur parents who bring their pets free anti-rabies vaccine, pet consultation, and deworming, as well as grooming services like ear cleaning, nail trim, and face trim.

Hats off to the Cagayan Provincial Veterinary Office (PVET) for always making the “Paw Fiesta” special for pets every year.

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No home is better than the natural habitat for the eight Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) hatchlings which were released to the Pacific Ocean’s waters recently in Sitio Chamantad, Barangay Chavayan in Sabtang, Batanes.

Forest Park rangers have reported that Sitio Chamantad is the fifth identified Green sea turtle nesting site in Batanes. The other four nesting sites are Sitio Pahanebneban, Barangay Chanarian, Basco; Sitio Disbayangan, Barangay Hanib, Mahatao; Barangay Imnajbu, Uyugan; and Sitio Gitnalban, Barangay Radiwan, Ivana.

Green sea turtles abound in Batanes. The DENR reported that in 2023, they released 74 Green sea turtle hatchlings with nesting site located at Sitio Gitnalban, Radiwan in Ivana town.

That is why when they spotted the marine sea turtle tracks in the area, they guarded the nesting site in a 24-hour period and continuously monitored to immediately release any hatchling to the sea. They know that the presence of turtles in an area is an indicator of a healthy marine ecosystem.

Batanes Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Officer Victoria Baliuag and her co-workers have shown once again that their passion for duty does not end in papers alone—but in inculcating into their hearts and minds of being true-blue environmentalists. #