Maragondon Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Sta. Mercedes (Photo from Maragondon LGU/MANILA BULLETIN)
CAVITE – The local government unit (LGU) of Maragondon has appealed to vloggers not to promote the Maragondon Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Sta. Mercedes as a tourist destination.
The appeal came after Mayor Lawrence Arca conducted an ocular inspection in the fish sanctuary on April 19 and discovered several unauthorized constructions, including cottages, in the area.
Municipal Ordinance No. 74 series of 2004, also known as the Ordinance Establishing the Maragondon Fish Sanctuary, states that entering, fishing, and disturbing the fish sanctuary is prohibited. Mooring of boats and dumping trash in the area are also not allowed.
Owners of the illegal structures were given a one-month ultimatum to demolish their installations voluntarily.
“Sa ating pagpunta dito sa Maragondon Fish Sanctuary, patunay lamang ito na seryoso ang ating pamahalaan upang mapangalagaan ang lugar na ito. Binigyan natin sila ng pagkakataon para kusa nilang alisin at tanggalin ang mga ilegal na konstruksyon nila dito (Our visit here to the Maragondon Fish Sanctuary is proof that our government is serious about protecting this place. We have given them the opportunity to voluntarily remove and dismantle their illegal constructions here),” Arca said in a statement.
“At nananawagan rin tayo sa mga vlogger na huwag i-promote ang lugar na ito bilang isang tourist destination (We also call on vloggers not to promote this place as a tourist destination).”
The municipal government urged the public not to patronize any activities conducted at the Maragondon Fish Sanctuary.