Marine conservation group Oceana Philippines, local governments and island communities have marked the first anniversary of Republic Act (RA) 12238 on International Whale Sharks Day on August 30. RA 12238 created the Panaon Island Protected Seascape (PIPS), which safeguards over 60,000 hectares of some of the world’s most climate-resilient coral reefs and critical feeding grounds for the iconic whale shark, locally known as “tiki-tiki.”

Mayuga, J. L. (2026, September 6). Why whale sharks choose Panaon Island waters as haven. BusinessMirror, p. A7.