The Department of Tourism (DOT) responded to the criticism it got when it allowed Miss Universe candidates to swim with whale sharks off the coast in Oslob, Cebu. The whale shark wim was one of the ancillary events of the pageant.
In a press conference, DOT undersecretary for media affairs Kat de Castro, stressed that strict guidelines and rules were adhered to when at least five Miss Universe candidates set out to see the whale sharks earlier this week.
De Castro, who is a marine life advocate and a certified scuba diver herself, said the Miss Universe delegates did not use sunblock lotion and kept at least four meters away from the gentle giants underwater.
“The marine wildlife interaction was pursued after having been assured by both Cebu and Oslob government officials that it would be well-managed according to their guidelines,” De Castro said.
She further said that the candidates also underwent the usual orientation given local and foreign whale shark interaction participants.
The undersecretary meanwhile assured that she would soon meet with fellow environmentalists to discuss their concern about the whale shark, which has been dubbed as another national icon.
“We still plan to feature the butanding elsewhere in the country but let me assure you that it will be done in the proper way,” she added. —Philippine News Agency (PNA)
