On 10 May 2013 the Tubbataha Management Office named the new Youth Ambassadors for Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park.
Three applicants were selected (rather than four), all Palaweños and undergraduate students in Palawan. The new Youth Ambassadors will gain practical experience in Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park while expanding their knowledge of the management of marine protected areas and World Heritage Sites.
Meet this year’s Tubbataha Youth Ambassadors!
Left to Right: Tubbataha Youth Ambassadors June Lee Miñoza, Jennifer Salonga and Jherson Pugay at the Tubbataha Management Office after meeting the Tubbataha staff.
Jennifer Salonga, 20
Jennifer, a BS Fisheries student of Western Philippine University, has always advocated that marine resources are not limitless and must be conserved. Becoming one of the Tubbataha Youth Ambassadors is the perfect opportunity for her to further her cause.
Jherson Pugay, 26
As a Petroleum Engineering student of PSU, Jherson knows all about exploitation of natural resources. He has also worked in a petroleum company and has observed the negative effects of irresponsible resource use. He now feels he is perfectly suited to work in environmental conservation.
June Lee Miñoza, 25
June, a third year BS Psychology student of Palawan State University (PSU), wants to use his communication skills to encourage fellow youth to be responsible stewards of our natural resources.
The Tubbataha Youth Ambassador program is one of the activities organised in celebration of Tubbataha’s 25th year as a marine protected area. Through this program the Tubbataha Management Office and Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc. – which has been supporting the Tubbataha’s conservation since 2007 – offers young Palaweños the opportunity to prepare for their future role as responsible managers of our natural resources and common heritage.
Follow the Tubbataha Youth Ambassadors’ journey on the Tubbataha website www.tubbatahareefs.org and on our official Facebook fan page Friends of Tubbataha.