Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 3) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Monday said it has opted to terminate its contract with advertising agency DDB Philippines, which was responsible for the “Love the Philippines” tourism campaign video that drew flak on social media for using stock footage taken outside of the country.
“The DOT is in solidarity with our fellow Filipinos in expressing our outrage and extreme disappointment at the use of non-original or stock footage purporting to be scenes from the Philippines in the audio visual presentation (AVP) prepared, produced, and published by DDB Philippines as a component of the launch of the enhanced tourism branding campaign for the country,” the DOT statement read.
“As DDB Philippines has publicly apologized, taken full responsibility, and admitted in no uncertain terms, that non-original materials were used in their AVP, reflecting an abject failure to comply with their obligation/s under the contract and a direct contravention with the DOT’s objectives for the enhanced tourism branding, the DOT hereby exercises its right to proceed with termination proceedings against its contract with DDB,” it added.
READ: Ad agency apologizes for using foreign stock footage for ‘Love the Philippines’ video
The tourism agency said under the deal, it has the right to \”change, suspend, or discontinue temporarily or permanently the contract at any time should the DOT deem the agency incapable of the project.” It also clarified that there were no payments made by the agency to DDB under the tourism branding campaign contract.
The department said it will also exercise its right \”to forfeit performance security as a result of default in obligations under the contract, as well to review standards of performance or lack thereof vis-a-vis any claims for payment and/or any other engagement\” and reserves the right to take all other action deemed against the interest of Philippine tourism.
There was no immediate statement from DDB.
Lawmakers’ call
Sen. Nancy Binay, who also chairs the Committee on Tourism, said the DOT should be cautious in securing a multi-million peso campaign video such as this. She added that it should be more discerning and critical on pegs, concepts, storyboards, and drafts that advertising agencies present.
“Dapat may accountability dahil pera ng taumbayan ang ginagastos ng DOT para bayaran ang mga advertisement agencies. [There must be accountability because the DOT spends the public’s fund to pay advertisement agencies],” she said.
The sentiment was echoed by House opposition France Castro. She said: \”The DOT allocated almost ₱50 million for this type of work. Taxpayers’ money should be used judiciously and with utmost transparency, especially when it comes to promoting our country.\”
The DOT on Thursday said it spent ₱49 million in the development of the new tourism campaign.
Castro added that the use of “deceptive” stock footage undermines the credibility and integrity of the country’s tourism industry. She also emphasized the apparent similarity of the campaign slogan “Love the Philippines” to “Love Cyprus” that was launched by the Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Tourism in 2021.
\”It is unacceptable for the Marcos government to resort to plagiarizing campaign slogans from other countries,” the lawmaker said. “We should be showcasing the unique culture, heritage, and natural wonders that make the Philippines truly remarkable.”
Sen. Sonny Angara, meanwhile, wanted the tourism agency to at least redo the campaign video.
“Parang nalugi ang gobyerno. Dapat may konting pride tayo sa ating trabaho especially if we are selling and marketing the Philippines,” he said.
[Translation: The government seems to have lost money. We should have a little pride in our work especially if we are selling and marketing the Philippines.]
Senate Minority Leader Koko Pimentel, on the other hand, flagged the irony of promoting Philippine tourism yet the campaign video is showing Indonesian, Thai, Swiss and Emirati tourist attractions.
