DOT distributes COA-flagged promotion materials

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism (DOT) has since distributed a total of P19-million worth of promotion materials included in the P52-million worth of materials that was flagged by the Commission on Audit (COA).

A total of 15,000 sets of materials like stickers and posters promoting health and safety protocols worth P19 million were distributed to some 8,800 DOT-accredited accommodation establishments and tourism enterprises nationwide as of Monday, according to Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), an attached agency of the DOT.

Anthea Reine Ifurung, chief media relations and communications division of TPB, confirmed Tuesday that the distributed materials were part of the COA-flagged P52 million worth of promotion materials stocked in their warehouses.

“Yes, the 19 million worth of materials is part of the 52 million total accumulated since 2015,” Ifurung told INQUIRER.net in a text message.

To recall, COA reminded the TPB to exercise prudence in procurement of such materials “to avoid overstocking and wastage of government funds.”

TPD, however, noted that the distribution of these materials was adversely affected by border closures and mobility restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic.

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