MARAGONDON, Cavite: The Maragondon Fish Sanctuary in Barangay Sta. Mercedes in this town is a protected area and is not a tourist destination.

The Maragondon local government made the clarification after it learned that vloggers featured the area in social media posts which could potentially encourage people to visit the place.

Mayor Lawrence "Umbe" Arca visited the area with Vice Mayor Bernie Ilagan, local police chief Maj. Cris Mangupay and Philippine Coast Guard detachment commander Arvin Anglo on Friday, April 19, to inspect the place.

The mayor found illegal structures such as nipa houses and cottages in the place which are prohibited under Municipal Ordinance 74, series of 2004.

Section 4 of the ordinance strictly enforces the prohibition such as entry, fishing inside the fish sanctuary, boating, disturbing the fish sanctuary and dumping waste.

According to acting Menro head Engr. Edward Dionido, those found violating the ordinance could be slapped with fines not less than P20,000, where 30 percent will be awarded to the apprehending team with evidence and documentation.

The mayor's office, through the Municipal Tourism Unit and the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Unit, received shared posts from known vloggers promoting the Maragondon Fish Sanctuary as a tourist destination.