Marlito Guidote, who serves as director for external and government relations with Oceana Philippines, an organization focused on restoring local marine life, addressed youth leaders during the Campus Integrity Crusaders (CIC) Congress and Leadership Training, which took place at the Escalante City Coliseum earlier this month.

He advised those gathered to continue educating themselves on matters of the environment, along with joining advocacy groups seeking to protect the environment.

Guidote also discussed the dangers of bottom trawling, a fishing method where nets are dragged along the seabed. He noted the practice is banned within 15 kilometers of the coastline and that it often picks up juvenile marine life.

In addition, the environmental advocate emphasized the importance of selecting the right sunscreen as some contain chemicals potentially harmful to coral. He encouraged the audience to only use reef-safe coral.

The event, which gathered CIC youth leaders from across the Western Visayas, was organized by the Office of the Ombudsman-Region VI and Department of Education-Region VI.

Deputy Ombudsman for the Visayas Paul Elmer Clemente served as keynote speaker for the event and addressed the assembly during opening rites./WDJ