MANILA – The Senate will investigate the anomalous P60-million advertisement placement made by the Department of Tourism (DOT) with BITAG Media Unlimited, Inc. for airtime in “Kilos Pronto,” a PTV-4 program produced by the brothers of former DOT secretary Wanda Teo.
Teo resigned on Monday and was replaced by Department of Agriculture undersecretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat.
Sen. Nancy Binay, the chairwoman of the Senate tourism committee, wanted to specifically assess the government spending on tourism marketing and promotion.
“Gusto ko malaman saan ba tayo papunta pagdating dun sa promotion ‘e malaking halaga din ‘yun. I think P1 billion ang nalaan na pondo pagdating dun sa pagpopromote natin bilang isang tourist destination,” said Binay.
She added, “Siguro magandang malaman ano ba ‘yung istratehiya ng DOT patukoy doon sa pondo na ‘yan.”
According to Binay, Teo, Tourism Promotions Board chief operating officer and actor Cesar Montano, and PTV-4 officials will be invited to the inquiry.
The planned return of the P60 million is a “welcome development,” Binay stressed.
“It’s better late than never. At least maibabalik ‘yung P60 million at magagamit pa ‘yun sa mas magandang pagpopromote ng ating bansa bilang isang destinasyon,” she added.
On Wednesday, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV filed Senate Resolution No. 726 seeking an inquiry into the controversial advertisement deal.
“There is an immediate need to look into the irregularities in the disposition of DOT’s budget and its expenditures in advertising and marketing in order to ensure that government funds are legally and properly allocated, directed and spent towards the sole purpose for which the funds were allocated,” Trillanes said./PN
