The presence of over a hundred dolphins in the waters off the town of Sto. Domingo in Albay province is bringing joy to residents and local visitors as they seek relief from the stress brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. “Seeing the pod of dolphins swimming at Barangay Buhatan area really amazed me, especially when it all jumped and played together,” said Erickson Balderama, a photographer at the Sto. Domingo municipal government. He said he and his team from the municipal agriculture office were in the area to document the presence of dolphins, which was reported by villagers since the last week of August. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said the presence of a large number of dolphins in the area was attributed to the abundant supply of round scad or galunggong, which serves as the gentle marine mammals’ food, in the waters of Sto. Domingo.

Jaucian, M. (2021, September 5). Dolphin sightings 'stress busters' to pandemic-weary residents in Albay. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A7.