Concerned by the attacks on whale sharks in the country's waters President Arroyo has mobilized government forces to reinforce measures to conserve and protect the gentle sea giants from extinction. In Administrative Order No. 282, authorities were allowed to impose penalties to persons harming or killing a whale shark, locally known as "butanding," and grant rewards to those who protect or rescue any wounded filter-feeding shark. The President also released ₱15 million from her social fund to support capacity-building and monitoring and enforcement activities of the local government units and national government agencies in the protection of whale sharks, considered as the world's largest fish measuring 40 feet or more.

Kabiling, G. (2010, April 4). GMA moves to protect whale sharks. Manila Bulletin, p. 1.