A whale shark or "butanding" was spotted in Barangay Hugom, San Juan, Batangas, an indication of the healthy state of marine biodiversity in the area, locals say.

In a video shared by the Tourism Office of San Juan, the whale shark can be seen seemingly playing underwater.

No one disturbed the butanding as it swam around the area for a while before moving away eventually. 

According to the Municipal Environment and Natural Resources Office (MENRO) of San Juan, the whale shark may have been searching for food.

"Maganda ang ating coral reefs, kaya maraming phytoplankton, maraming nakakain dito kaya kung bakit maraming butanding dito sa aming lugar," Noel Pasco, MENRO-San Juan, said.

Pasco said whale shark sightings are common in the area, indicating the healthy state of marine biodiversity.

"We have nine sites na Marine Protected Area at doon sa mga lugar na 'yun meron tayong nakikitang feeding site. Minsan may lima hanggang sampung butanding na nakikita dito sa atin," he said.

MENRO advised the public not to disturb, touch, or interfere with whale sharks and to help protect wildlife.