Pimentel: DOT should revisit ‘Love the Philippines’ tourism slogan

Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III mentioned the Department of Tourism (DOT) ought to overview the just lately launched ”Love the Philippines” marketing campaign following criticism over a promotional video that contained scenes not shot within the nation.

In an episode of ”The Mangahas Interviews” on Saturday, Pimentel mentioned he did not discover the slogan ”sensible.” 

”Ngayon ‘yung ‘Love the Philippines’ for me hindi rin siya ganoon ka-imaginative or creative or brilliant. Ang contribution doon is one word, love. ‘Yun lang ‘yun. Kasi the Philippines, ulitin ko, yan ang pangalan na yan. The Philippines tayo ‘yan. Di na inimbento ‘yan, di na kailangan isipin ‘yan. Love lang ‘yung naisip,” Pimentel told veteran journalist Malou Mangahas.

”Siguro pahanon na to revisit it and i-review ng Department of Tourism, ano ba ‘yung epekto ng ‘It’s More Fun within the Philippines’ ano ba ‘yung mga data and statistics doon? Kung may empirical data, real life data or information na okay, kinagat ng rest of the world ‘yon, nag-click ‘yan as a marketing slogan or marketing program, ituloy na lang natin kaysa sa ganito,” he added.

He also criticized the lack of diligence in the preparation of the promotional video that was released following the launch of the new tourism slogan on June 27.

”Yung unang hakbang ng pag-implement nila ng new marketing slogan and strategy,  nadapa agad e. Ano bang nangyari doon? Bakit kasi ganu’n? Kahit ‘draft’ video lang ‘yun, gumamit na lang sila ng actual Philippine surroundings,” Pimentel mentioned.

“Mistake ‘yun, may pagkakamali ‘yung nag-draft ng video na ‘yun. Kulang sa sipag, kulang sa honesty,” he added.

Pimentel then instructed combining the earlier slogans ”It’s More Fun within the Philippines” and “‘Wow Philippines.” 

On Wednesday, Senate tourism committee chairperson Nancy Binay said the “Love the Philippines” slogan was “unsalvageable” and urged the DOT to revert to the earlier marketing campaign.

However, Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco mentioned they’d proceed utilizing the slogan.

On Friday, President Ferdinand ”Bongbong” Marcos Jr. answered sure when requested by the media if Frasco nonetheless loved his belief regardless of the controversy, which noticed DDB Philippines, which produced the video, apologize and the DOT transfer for the termination of its contract with the promoting company.

Meanwhile, Pimentel urged the Department of Justice to hurry up the decision of prison complaints in reference to agricultural smuggling.

Marcos, who additionally heads the Department of Agriculture, on Tuesday ordered the DOJ and the National Bureau of Investigation to analyze the smuggling of onions and different agricultural merchandise.

”’Yung ibang mga legislation enforcement natin, NBI after which ‘yung DOJ ‘pag could kaso ng smuggling, bilisan naman nila pag-resolve. ‘Di ko sinasabing responsible na lahat ng kinasuan, basta bilisan nila ang pag-resolve. Kung could ma-file sa kaso, presumably magkaroon na ito ng deterrent impact. Kasi ‘yan ang problema kung walang napa-file… lokohan lang pala ito. Pwede na pala ito,” Pimentel mentioned.

The senator additionally mentioned the passage of the administration’s precedence payments shouldn’t be rushed, and lawmakers ought to have the ability to research them totally.

“I hope they understand pagdating sa Senado kailangan namin himay-himayin ito, pag-aralan ng mabuti,” he said.

“Kailangang pag-usapan ‘yun. ‘Wag namang madaliin.”

Malacañang and Congress just lately agreed to push for the passage of 20 payments, together with the Mandatory ROTC and NSTP, Internet Transactions Act/E-Commerce Law, and Ease of Paying Taxes, earlier than the 12 months ends.  — Jiselle  Anne Casucian/VBL, GMA Integrated News

Source: www.gmanetwork.com