Morong, Bataan: Government authorities together with volunteers released 180 baby turtles off the coast of barangay Nagbayayong this week.

The release formed part of the annual Pawikan Festival in Morong, Bataan.

Deputy Presidential Spokesman Lorelei Fajardo joined local officials, volunteers and residents  in releasing the baby turtles.

The baby turtles came from the Bataan Pawikan Conservation Center (BPCC).

The 24 member Bantay Pawikan volunteers headed by Maolo Lbias said that the turtles belong to the Olive Ridley species.

According to the group more than 40,000 hatclings have so far been released out since the center was established in 1999.

The sandy shores of Morong town are vital nesting grounds for the endangered species, the smallest of the world’s eight sea-turtle species.

The release of the baby turtles was the highlight of the Pawikan Festival in an effort to heighten awareness of the need to save the Olive Ridley marine turtle species and for other communities to be enticed to duplicate the turtle-conservation effort of town.

The governor’s wife, Vicky Garcia, chairman of the Bataan Tourism Council Foundation Inc., led the turtle festival. Mayor Cynthia Estanislao of Morong, Mayor Jose Enrique Garcia III of Balanga City, Mayor Carlos Pizarro of Pilar town and wives of mayors from 11 towns and one city joined Garcia.