Project Baka-One execs join ‘PawiCamp’ turtle releasing activity
Story by Yuri Xavier Lozada, The Spark
Key members of Brokenshire College Toril’s Project Baka-One including founder and president Matias John Mercado, project head James Benedict Mendoza, and other executives took part in a turtle releasing activity dubbed as ‘PawiCamp’ held last July 29, at Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, Punta Dumalag, Matina, Davao City.
Along with Senior High School (SHS)Principal Cristina Pusta and guidance personnel Carla Gacus and Glydel Sevilla, the team was invited by Junior Chamber International Davao Inc. (JCI), Aboitiz Foundation, Inc. to join the release of two sea turtles ‘Ecoland’ and ‘Dumalag’, named after the places where they were rescued.
“It was my third time visiting Aboitiz Cleanergy Park, yet the “feels” do not change. I am very fortunate to have been invited by the Aboitiz Cleanergy Park officers through JCI Davao and even more blessed and grateful for them allowing me to bring the new executives of Project Baka-One Organization in BCT,” said Mercado.
Mercado also disclosed the plan for project expansion of Project Baka-One from ssolel being environment-focused to a “Youth Volunteer Network.”
“This turtle releasing experience that I got to share with the team is one of the many activities and projects the new executives will be implementing this school year. In fact, we are already in talks about coming back to Cleanergy Park to let their new organizational members experience the park’s turtle awareness activity and coastal clean-up project,” Mercado stated.
The PawiCamp is an annual activity led by JCI and Aboitiz Foundation along with other charitable institutions since its initiation last 2018.
Apart from NGOs, Filipino broadcast journalist, anchor, and host, Korina Sanchez-Roxas was also present at the event covering the said activity creating emphasis on such activities and their success in raising environmental consciousness.