Lila, Bohol Mayor Arturo “Jed” Piollo has denounced the viral whale shark diving
rates posted on social media, saying that they are fake news and that the local
government unit (LGU) did not authorize them.
In an interview with DYTR’s Ted Ayeng, Piollo clarified that as of now they have not
allowed any diving activities in their town.
“We are investigating who is the source of that. And we are taking action on that,” he
said.
He added that the only thing they allow now is equipment rental, and that those who
rent have to show a license that they are professional divers.
Mayor Piollo also expressed disbelief that even using a camera would incur a tax or
“camera tax” of P500.
“It is fake news because there is no permission from the town,” he assured.
Piollo issued an official statement to clear the name of the municipality of Lila, which
was tarnished by the social media post.
Earlier, netizens criticized the exorbitant diving rates released by the Facebook
account Lila Whale Shark Diving, which showed that tourist diving would cost P5,000
each, while fun diving and free diving would cost P4,000 and P3,000 each,
respectively.
There was also a camera tax of P500 and other fees.
A netizen described these rates as “a big joke” or “as expensive as gold.”
According to Mayor Piollo, these tariffs are not supported by any ordinance from the
town.
ILLEGAL TOURS?
Meanwhile, Mayor Piollo has also denied any involvement in the illegal whale shark
tours that have been circulating on social media.
One of these illegal tours is allegedly backed and financed by a provincial Board
Member.
In an interview with DYTR’s Ardy Araneta Batoy, Piollo said that he has “not
authorized or permitted any diving activities or equipment rentals” in his town, and
that he is still looking for the source of the online advertisements.
Piollo said that he is concerned about the safety of the tourists and the welfare of the
whale sharks, which are often seen in the coastal waters of Lila.
He said he has not yet finished preparing the necessary ordinances and regulations
for the whale shark watching and interaction activities, which he hopes to launch as
a sustainable tourism project in the future.
He also clarified that the 500-peso tax that was mentioned in some of the social
media posts is “not part of his ordinance”, and that he has “no idea who is collecting
it”.
The mayor said he is “willing to cooperate with the provincial government and the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to investigate and stop
the illegal operations.”
On October 3, 2023, Piollo issued an official statement on his Facebook page,
reiterating his denial of the allegations and condemning the use of his town’s name
by businessmen who want to take advantage of the whale shark attraction.
He said that he is “trying to track down the real people who are behind this
movement without any permission from his town that has damaged its image”.
He has encouraged everyone to report to his representatives if there are people who
charge more than what is allowed by the town.
Piollo, whose wife is the chief-of-staff of Bohol Governor Aris Aumentado, said that
he wants to “give a good image to his town, which is known as ‘the town of the
adventurers'”.
He said that he does not want his town to be “tarnished by the enterprising people
who are exploiting the whale sharks for profit”.
Whale sharks are the largest living fish in the world, and are considered as
endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
They feed on plankton and small fish, and are harmless to humans.
However, they are vulnerable to threats such as overfishing, habitat loss, pollution,
and climate change.
Lila is one of the towns in Bohol that offer whale shark watching and interaction
activities, along with Panglao and Oslob in Cebu.
However, these activities have been controversial due to their potential ecological
and ethical impacts on the whale sharks.
Some environmental groups have called for a ban on whale shark feeding and close
encounters, while others have advocated for more responsible and regulated
practices.
REGULATIONS
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 7, the regulations for whale
shark watching in Bohol vary depending on the location and the tour operator.
However, some of the common rules that apply to most sites are:
- No feeding of whale sharks by unauthorized personnel. Feeding may alter their
natural behavior and diet, and increase their risk of injuries and infections. - Do not touch, ride, or chase a whale shark. Touching may cause physical harm or
stress to the animals, and transmit diseases or parasites. - Do not restrict normal movement or behavior of the shark. Crowding may disturb
the whale sharks and affect their feeding and migration patterns. - Do not use flash photography. Flash may startle or blind the whale sharks, and
affect their vision and orientation. - Do not create splash when entering the water. Splash may scare the whale sharks
away, and reduce the chances of seeing them. - Keep a safe distance from the whale sharks. Stay about 4 feet away from the face
and 13 feet from the tail for a comfortable distance. - Only book a tour from accredited tour operators. They should follow and enforce
the proper guidelines and regulations for whale shark watching, and contribute to the
research and education of the whale sharks and their habitat.
DOT said that these regulations are meant to protect the whale sharks and their
environment, as well as ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for the tourists.
“It is important to respect and follow these rules when participating in whale shark
watching activities in Bohol,” the DOT added.