The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) appealed to local government units (LGUs) in the coastal areas of the region to help in efforts to save and conserved endangered sea turtles, locally known as "pawikan" and their natural habitats. DENR-8 Regional Director Leonardo Sibbaluca stressed that LGU officials have a vital role in the information dissemination and in explaining to their constituents that hunting endangered sea turtles is illegal and punishable by law. The Wildlife Act, according to Sibaluca, states that any person who maltreat and/or inflict injuries to species considered as endangered shall face imprisonment of three months and one day to six (6) months and a fine of P20,000 to P50,000.

Cayubit, R. (2015, August 22). 'Save endangered pawikans and their natural habitats'. Manila Bulletin, p. 13.