By Ariel Santisas of Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City

IT was nice to see the contributed photo of newly hatched sea turtles emerging from their nest in Sitio San Juan in Barangay Inayagan, City of Naga, Cebu.

It means they continue to thrive despite all the odds against them.

The rise in population, especially along Cebu’s long coastline, has meant sea turtles are finding it hard to find a secluded beach where they can lay their eggs in peace.

I’m sure there have been many instances when sea turtles heavy with eggs found a building standing on their traditional nesting ground because people continue to violate the three-meter easement rule.

It also doesn’t help that their meat is a delicacy. Some men even consider it as an aphrodisiac.

Still, the incident in Inayagan shows that people are finally learning to respect these gentle creatures. Because they could have slaughtered the sea turtle they found washed ashore months ago. Instead they left it alone even though they thought it was dead.