Reduce travel invites, solon tells Tulfo-Teo

Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo Teo (second from left) poses with lawmakers (from left) Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez, Senator Nancy Binay and Rep. Arthur Yap. TOURISM SECRETARY WANDA CORAZON TULFO-TEO FACEBOOK PAGE

The Department of Tourism (DoT) has been advised by a lawmaker to “reduce” its travel invitations to public officials, especially congressmen, lest they be accused of spending government funds for “junkets.”

Teacher Partylist Representative Julieta Cortuna gave this advice on Wednesday when Tourism Secretary Wanda Corazon Tulfo-Teo faced her confirmation hearing at the Commission on Appointments’ committee on tourism and economic development.

“We’d like to advice you as much as possible, those travels have to be reduced,” Cortuna said.

“I hope you have to reduce perhaps those invitations…that somehow create an impression that (it was some kind of) a junket,” the lawmaker added.

But Teo explained that they only send invitations to the House of Representatives which she said gives them the list of who would be allowed to travel.

“My point here is that siguro before you travel abroad or say have that program, at least you have to present also the Speaker the purpose of the travel,” Cortuna said.

The Tourism answered “noted” on Cortuna’s suggestion.