As a tropical country blessed with countless natural resources, it is imperative for us to prioritize marine life conservation not only for reasons such as a boost in tourism hence the economy, but for preserving our environment in and of itself, even if it’s just the remains of what once was.
On February 14, The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) announced that local authorities recovered 336 pieces of fossilized giant mollusks in Barangay Sebaring, Balabac, Palawan. This is a significant milestone in conserving the remains of a past geological age. The giant clam shells have an estimated worth of ₱8.1 million.
The findings are locally known as ‘taklobo’ or ‘manlet’. They were previously discreetly hidden under the sands of Palawan, and were immediately turned over to the barangay officials for temporary custody.
The retrieval operation is in line with the mandate of Republic Act No. 10654, also known as the Philippine Fisheries Code. Since conservation is the priority of this cause, harvesting, selling, and buying them are prohibited by law. Previously, the PCG also retrieved ₱18 million worth of fossilized giant clam shells in Dumaran, Palawan two years ago in 2022, and 80 tons of giant clams in Roxas, Palawan in the year prior.
