GENERAL SANTOS CITY, Philippines — At least three endangered marine animals had been found dead on the shores of Sarangani this month, prompting local officials and environmentalists to raise the alarm on the need to protect the province’s waters.
Dr. Roy Operario Mejorada, program manager of the Sarangani Environmental Conservation and Protection Center (ECPC), said that on March 23, residents of Glan town found a dead male “dugong” (sea cow) in Barangay Taluya.
“Any marine wildlife found dead is alarming since they reflect the health of the ecosystem and the behavior of human beings,” Mejorada told the Inquirer.
Sarangani Gov. Steve Chiongbian Solon launched recently the “Sulong Kalikasan,” a program aimed at protecting local marine life. He also supported the conduct of information dissemination on the importance of protecting the province’s marine resources.
