By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – Another sea turtle believed to have eaten plastic was found dead at the coastal area of Sitio Roma, Barangay Batea, E.B. Magalona, Negros Occidental last Tuesday.
According to Environment Management Specialist (EMS) II Jojo Vargas, the turtle was found floating at the sea by residents in the village.
The reptile weighs about 50 kilograms and was 120 centimeters long and 60 centimeters wide, Vargas said.
Vargas said the reptile had no wounds. It was the second dead sea turtle found in the village since last week, he added.
Vargas said the community then decided to just bury the turtle.
“We believe basi may nakaon sya nga plastic kay last time ang isa na sea turtle damo plastic sa iya tiyan,” Vargas said, adding that it was bigger this time than the one that was found dead on April 5.
When asked about their plastic waste policy in the town, Vargas said the municipality has a regular coastal clean-up drive.
“Mostly ang ga dagsa nga plastic indi man na di sa amon lang,” he added.
In fact, Vargas said that they are transforming plastic wastes into reusable items and make it as decorations within the barangay.
