CONTROVERSY immediately surrounded the country’s new tourism slogan “Love The Philippines” a few days after it was launched.
The slogan’s AVP drew flak after netizens noticed that some video clips used were stock footage and taken from other countries.
Because of this, the Department of Tourism (DOT) terminated its contract with DDB Philippines.
But the question of most people is whether ‘Love The Philippines’ will remain the country’s tourism slogan.
For the first time, Tourism Sec. Christina Garcia-Frasco showed up in public at a departmental event held at the Philippine Convention Center Wednesday morning a few days after the controversy erupted.
When asked by the media if the “Love The Philippine” slogan will still be used, Frasco said that it is very evident in the event.
The words “Love The Philippines” are noticeable from the tarpaulins, souvenirs, programs, presentations to the speech of the secretary which she mentioned several times.
“Love the Philippines. Who loves the Philippines? We all love the Philippines. What better way to demonstrate the deep love that both Filipinos and foreigners have for the Philippines than in robust numbers that we have just seen from the Philippine Statistics Authority,” Sec. Christina Garcia Frasco, Department of Tourism said.
At the event, the DOt highlighted the country’s success in the tourism industry in 2022 where the number of visitor arrivals and Tourism income increased.
Things that according to Frasco are meant to give hope to the country despite the hardships, tests, and challenges faced in the past three years.
“None of these has served to dampen our spirit. None of these has served to diminish the beauty of our country. And none of these trials and difficulties will prevent us from claiming our rightful place as a tourism powerhouse in Asia,” Frasco added.
Cong. Salceda calls individuals urging Sec. Frasco to resign ‘overacting’
Meanwhile, House Ways And Means Committee Chair Joey Salceda called individuals those who urged Frasco to resign OA or overacting.
Despite the controversy, Salceda believes the secretary is still competent.
According to the congressman, Frasco did what should be done after the “Love the Philippines” campaign AVP became controversial.
“OA (overacting). First, we asked them to delete it. They deleted it. [they were] asked to investigate, [they] investigated. So what is needed now is to establish the facts. She did an internal investigation, so she should submit her investigation to congress. That’s what should be done,” Cong. Joey Salceda, Representative, Albay said.
“At the end of the day, it’s a question. Do you think Secretary Frasco is competent? I think she is,” he added.
Congressman gives importance to a congressional hearing about the ‘Love The Philippines’ fiasco
According to Salceda, it is important to hold a hearing in Congress to bring out the truth, not just gossip and to give the right recommendation regarding what happened.
“Because what comes out is all gossip. There is already an Erik Matti issue. There is already a Paul Soriano issue. So at least the documents can be released there. Because the congressional hearing can ask for the document,” Salceda said.
“We need to establish the case facts on this matter so that we can make [a] recommendation based on empirical data,” he added.
Sec. Frasco receives support from DOT officials, employees
Meanwhile, DOT officials and employees expressed support for Frasco.
They greeted the secretary as she arrived at the DOT’s Central Office holding papers with messages of support and encouragement to the Tourism secretary this Tuesday
