5 sea turtles to be released in Bogo

CEBU, Philippines - Bogo City Mayor Celestino “Junie” Martinez Jr. will lead today the releasing of five more hawksbill sea turtles back to their habitat.

The activity will be held this afternoon at the Capitancillo Islet, a famous diving site of the city, to be witnessed by some members of the Cebu Tourism Officers Association, said City Tourism Officer Joy Tan.

Martinez said the city government is strengthening its tourism program and the protection of marine resources, especially the endangered species.

One of the strategies Martinez said they are adopting is the giving of incentives to fishermen to encourage them to surrender endangered species they caught such as sea turtles.

Bantay Dagat chief Alex Catadman said that Martinez gives P500 to P1,000 depending on the size of sea turtles to the fisherman who caught them.

The five sea turtles were caught by fishermen last February while the first two were already released last year.

A small rectangular aluminum sheet marked with “City of Bogo” is attached at the hard flat back of the marine reptile for identification.

Catadman said the five-feet long leatherback sea turtle, the biggest so far, was already released just recently, ahead of the five hawksbills for they feared it could not survive in a temporary cage.

Martinez said that the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council is being strengthened where marginalized fisherfolks and commercial fishermen are actively involved.

The city government has extended financial assistance for big fishermen to establish fish pens while small fishermen were given fish nets and allowed to fish in the area.

Martinez said this is one way of eradicating illegal fishing activities in the city.

Also, Martinez led the inauguration of two more buildings of Bogo City Public Market and Bus Terminal in Barangay Gairan.

He said that the market expansion is expected to boost its income by P15 million per year, more than enough to pay the loan amortization and the maintenance and other operating expenses without the subsidy of the city’s general fund. The market has generated P11 million last year of which P5 million were spent for the operational expenses.

Martinez also entered into a memorandum of agreement with Development Bank of the Philippines for a P100 million loan for the completion of new Bogo City Hall.  (FREEMAN)