(Photo courtesy of Dr. Raymund Balverde.)
TACLOBAN CITY — Conservation concerns in Tacloban City gained fresh attention after four dolphins were spotted swimming in San Pedro Bay on Sunday morning, May 17, in what observers described as an encouraging sign of the area’s marine condition.
The dolphins were seen around 8:30 a.m. by a group of local boating enthusiasts led by orthopedic surgeon Dr. Raymund Balverde while they were navigating the Tacloban side of the bay. The unexpected encounter quickly drew attention among residents and environmental advocates.
Balverde said the sighting stood out as a rare moment during his years of regular boat trips across the area.
“Seeing dolphins here is both surprising and meaningful. It tells us there is still life in our waters that we must actively protect,” he said.
He added that the presence of marine mammals should prompt stronger environmental stewardship across coastal communities.
“If we take care of our seas now, we can still restore richer marine life, healthier fisheries, and more sustainable livelihoods for our communities,” Balverde said.
He also called for tighter enforcement against marine pollution, improper waste disposal, and illegal fishing practices, noting that these continue to threaten local ecosystems.
Balverde said it was his first dolphin sighting in the bay despite years of frequent travel across the waters.
A video of the dolphins later circulated online, sparking renewed public discussion about the ecological importance of the interconnected waters of Cancabato Bay and its link to Leyte Gulf, which opens into the wider Pacific Ocean.
The bay system, which forms part of a larger coastal network in Eastern Visayas, has recently faced scrutiny due to an ongoing causeway project. Environmental groups and fisherfolk have raised concerns that such infrastructure could alter water flow, disrupt marine habitats, and affect fisheries productivity.
Despite these concerns, advocates continue to stress that protecting the interconnected San Pedro–Cancabato Bay system is crucial not only for marine biodiversity but also for food security, tourism potential, and the livelihoods of coastal communities.
The rare dolphin encounter, observers said, serves as both a hopeful sign and a reminder of the ecological value of Tacloban’s coastal waters.
(JOEY A. GABIETA)
