Photo credit: Senate PH

Senator Alan Peter Cayetano has called on the public to support the 'Love the Philippines' tourism campaign amid the recent controversy surrounding the use of stock footage from foreign countries. The Department of Tourism (DOT) terminated its contract with the advertising agency responsible for the campaign after the issue came to light.

In a Facebook post on July 5, Senator Cayetano acknowledged the mistakes made by the DOT and the advertising agency and emphasized the need for constructive criticism. He commended the country's democracy for enabling the exposure of such issues and urged for a balanced view, free from partisan and political interests.

Cayetano stressed that despite the controversy, the focus should remain on promoting the beauty of the Philippines and its people. He highlighted that the Filipinos themselves are the country's greatest asset and play a significant role in shaping the world's perception of the Philippines.

The senator also cautioned against the spread of fake news, citing the negative impact it had during the country's hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in 2019. He reminded the public of the false allegations surrounding the serving of pork to Muslims during the event, which was later debunked. Cayetano emphasized that such fake news tarnished the country's reputation and scared off potential sponsors.

Senator Cayetano expressed confidence in Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco's ability to handle the tourism campaign issue. He urged everyone to support the DOT and actively promote the Philippines, emphasizing the importance of communication for the betterment of the country.