By J. Jala and Helen Castano | 11:02 AM June 23, 2020
The start of the community quarantine last March 16 closed all beaches in the province to stop the spread of the virus.
The one seemingly positive impact of closing them to people is seen off the shores.
In Panglao Island, Bohol’s most popular attraction, the water has become ‘clearer’.
The change, according to some locals, has been very noticeable because they look more crystalline, clean, turquoise, and more beautiful.
Resident Daryl Estoque said she wished it would always stay this way.
“It’s beautiful!” she gushed during a quick visit to Doljo Beach over the weekend.
Other visitors, who visited Alona Beach, shared Estoque’s observation.
The surrounding is also quiet on this beach since there are no boats and people who used to visit here.
In Barangay Bolod where resorts such as South Palms, Bohol Beach Club, and Dumaluan are found, the water there is as clear as it’s been in a long, long time.
CHANGES IN THE ENVIRONMENT REPORTED WORLDWIDE
It’s not only here in Bohol where some of these changes were noted.
In nearby Cebu island, for example, images of skies clearing up and offering a clearer view of Bohol island were shared online.
In other parts of the world, there’s also a reported dramatic drops in traditional air pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, smog, and tiny particles, according to Health Effects Institute president Dan Greenbaum in an article published on the Chicago Tribune.
So is the Earth on a healing process?
With more people staying at home and lesser cars on the roads, reports of these changes in the environment might be a good wake up call on how humans should let the Earth have time for healing.
However, once the global COVID-19 pandemic would be over, those temporary changes will remain in images if not sustained by the people as well.
