Amid the controversy involving the Department of Tourism over an “irresponsible and erroneous” production of a tourism campaign video, Sen. Robinhood “Robin” C. Padilla is hopeful that Philippine tourism will recover and prosper.
Padilla stressed that the essence of the DOT’s slogan “Love the Philippines” as a message of love from the Philippines and the Filipino people to the world should not be lost on the public.
“Hangad ko po na kasabay ng ating pag-usad mula sa masukal na usaping ito ang pagkakaisa ng lahat sa ilalim ng iisang bandera: ang pagsulong ng turismo ng Pilipinas bilang mamamayang Pilipinong pinagbubuklod ng pag-ibig sa bayan (I hope that as we recover from this controversy, we will unite under our flag to promote our country’s tourism as Filipinos who love their country),” he said on his Facebook account.
He added that as a member of the Senate’s Tourism Committee, he is one with the Filipino people in wanting to see a resolution to the controversy that hounded the DOT’s tourism campaign video, as well as making sure those liable are punished.
Padilla said he believes in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, as well as the DOT’s prompt action on the issue.
“Bilang inyong lingkod bayan at miyembro ng Komite ng Turismo sa Senado, kaisa ako ng bawat Pilipino sa paghahanap ng kalinawan sa naging kakulangan ng de-bidyong kampanyang inilunsad ng Kagarawan ng Turismo. Kinikilala rin natin ang agarang aksyon ng DOT para tiyaking may pananagutan ang sinumang may pagkakasala (As your public servant and member of the Senate’s tourism committee, I am one with Filipinos in looking for a resolution to the campaign video mess – even as I acknowledge the prompt action of the DOT to ensure those who are liable are punished),” he said.
“Ang lahat ng makabuluhang ambag ni Secretary Frasco at ng lahat ng bumubuo ng DOT ay hindi dapat maisantabi at matabunan ng kontrobersiya. Kaya naman hindi po matitigil ang ating suporta at tiwala kay Secretary Frasco at sa Kagawaran (Secretary Frasco’s contributions, as well as those of everyone in the DOT, should not be disregarded because of the controversy. That is why I still support Frasco and the Department),” he added.
Meanwhile, Padilla visited Alaminos City in Pangasinan on Wednesday. “Mabuhay ang ating Turismo (I support our tourism),” he said.
