MANILA, Philippines – Sinuspinde ng Department of Tourism (DOT) ang isa pang kontrata sa ad agency na DDB Philippines, sinabi ni Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco nitong Martes, Agosto 15.
Ito ay kasunod ng pagkansela ng DOT sa kontrata nito sa DDB sa tourism video na ginamitan ng stock footage.
Kasabay ng budget briefing ng DOT, sinabi kasi ni OFW party-list Rep. Marissa del Mar Magsino na ang DOT ay mayroon pang P124.45 million kontrata sa DDB para magbigay ng counseling services sa promotion ng Pilipinas, award-winning destinations, at tourism products na nakatakdang magtapos sa Agosto 31, 2023.
Sinabi pa ni Magsino na mayroon ding P12.99 milyong kontrata sa pagitan ng DDB Philippines t Tourism Promotion Board (TPB), attached agency ng kagawaran, para sa consulting services sa conceptualization at development ng meetings, incentive travel, conventions at exhibitions.
“The contract concerning the video has since been terminated,” pahayag ni Frasco sa House Committee on Appropriations.
“With regard to the other contract that you mentioned, the same has been suspended by the Department of Tourism with the department’s exercise of the necessary due diligence to ensure that it safeguard the interest of the department as well as the country,” idinagdag niya.
Ani Frasco, ang security bond ng DDB ay kinansela na rin.
Sa kabila nito, sinabi ni TPB Chief Operating Officer Margarita Nograles na itinutuloy nila ang kontrata dahil sa ngayon, ang deliverbles ay handa na at “ready for launch.”
Samantala, nais naman ni House Deputy Minority Leader at ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro ng kaso laban sa DDB.
“Dapat pag-usapan ng DOT na ma-filean itong DDB ng kaso dahil sa kahihiyan na dinulot nito sa atin,” ani Castro.
“As of the moment, the priority of the department was to immediately terminate and cancel the contract and one of the serious considerations also is the…other courses of legal action, including filing of action in the proper courts should the same be warranted,” tugon ni DOT Undersecretary for Legal and Special Concerns Ma. Elaine Bathan.
Siniguro rin niya sa mga mambabatas na buo pa ang badyet para sa campaign at ang video na ginawa ng DDB ay hindi gagamitin. RNT/JGC
