Here’s how disposable face masks are threatening an island in Batangas almost untouched by COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic is threatening the island municipality of Tingloy, Batangas, in more ways than one.

In the latest episode of “I-Witness,” residents and environmental advocates aired concern over the amount of biohazardous waste such as face masks washing onto the island’s tranquil shores every day.

Despite rampant clean-up efforts by locals and volunteers, the community has yet to arrive at a permanent solution.

Face masks, after all, are what keep them safe from a deadly virus that has infected more than a million people nationwide.

Moreover, disposable face masks made from non-recyclable material are generally being recommended for proper protection against COVID-19.

“May mga face masks din na hindi talaga maiwasan dahil ang tao na gumagamit, lalo na ’yung mga disposable. Ilapag mo lang o bitawan, wala na tatalsik na yun kahit saang parte, kaya hindi po maiiwasan na talagang lulutang at lulutang sa dagat,” Princess Aldovino, chairwoman of the management committee of the Batalang Bato Marine Sanctuary, told Howie Severino.

[People can’t help but use face masks, especially the disposable kind. When you take these off, they can wind up anywhere and eventually turn up floating in the ocean.]

Known for its Batalang Bato Marine Sanctuary, Tingloy and its locals have adapted several projects that encourage recycling and proper waste segregation even before the pandemic.

The beaches may have seen less waste from tourists visiting the island, but a considerable amount of medical waste such as face masks, face shields, and PPEs keep turning up on the shores and surrounding waters.

“’Yun po ang nakikita ng mga ibang divers na sumasabit sa corals, ’pag natanggal dun sa corals, sira din ’yung corals,” Aldovino said.

[That’s what the divers see, it gets stuck with corals. If it’s taken out, the corals will be damaged too.]

According to Danny Ocampo of Oceana, the trash also poses a threat to marine creatures living in corals because the plastic waste can block the sun, which these creatures need to survive.

“’Pag humina ’yung isang portion ng coral colony, maaaring ’yung buong coral head mamamatay na rin,” he said.

[If a portion of the coral colony weakens, the whole coral head may die.]

Fish can also ingest plastics discarded into the sea, which can cause harm not only to marine life but also to humans.

“Eventually ’yung plastics na nadudurog pumapasok sa sikmura nila at nakakain nila at pag binuksan mo nga maaring makain mo rin kung niluto ’yung plastics na ’yon,” Ocampo said.

For these reasons and more, environmental groups are pushing to ban single-use plastics and boost awareness about its harmful effects on the environment.

But because face masks have become part of the new normal, the public can at least do their part by using disposable masks only when necessary, according to Ocampo.

“In-e-encourage namin ’yung mga tao na kung hindi ka naman laging exposed sa posibilidad na may tao kang makakasalamuhang COVID-19,” said Ocampo, “kunwari naglalakad nasa barangay ka lang, advisable naman na pwede namang gamitin ’yung mga reusable na face mask unless nasa hospital setting ka na malaki ’yung chance na ma-expose.”

[We encourage people, those who are not likely to be exposed to people with COVID-19, for example if you’re just walking in your barangay. It’s advisable to wear reusable face masks, unless you’re in a hospital setting where there’s a bigger chance of exposure.] – Margaret Claire Layug/RC, GMA News