Ormoc City mayor Richard Gomez leads release of turtle to bay

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez led the releasing of the turtle at the Bagsakan Center Reclamation Area in Barangay Alegria past 9:00 a.m. INQUIRER / ROBERT DEJON

ORMOC CITY –– The female Hawksbill sea turtle, which was turned over by a fisherman to a government office, was returned to Ormoc Bay on Thursday.

Ormoc City Mayor Richard Gomez led the release of the turtle at the Bagsakan Center Reclamation Area in Barangay Alegria past 9 a.m.

Admer Ilaida Sr., a resident of Barangay Tinag-an, Albuera, Leyte, caught the sea turtle at Barangay Ipil last May 30, and immediately turned it over to the Animal Production and Fisheries Division of the City Agriculture Office.

Irish Belmonte, Section Head of the Fishery and Development Section, said Gomez appealed to the fishermen to report any sightings of turtles within the sea waters of the city.

She said the mayor also asked the fishing community to turn over to their office any sea turtle, saying it is an important part of marine life.