The photo shows the restive Mayon Volcano in Albay on June 15, 2023. (Photo by Mark Alvic Esplana)
MANILA, Philippines 鈥� Albay 1st District Rep. Edcel Lagman said that the complaints of his province-mate, Albay 2nd District Rep. Joey Salceda, regarding Mayon Volcano鈥檚 non-inclusion in the country鈥檚 newest tourism campaign is a mere political soundbite.
Lagman made the claim in a letter addressed to Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco, saying that he agrees with the Cabinet official鈥檚 view that the country鈥檚 tourism campaign is not yet final and over.
Lagman鈥檚 staff shared the letter to reporters covering the House of Representatives.
鈥淭he purported disenchantment of Rep. Joey Salceda on the low priority given by the Department of Tourism (DOT) to the Mayon Volcano as a tourist destination is essentially political soundbite,鈥� Lagman said.
鈥淚 fully agree with your observation that his criticism is obviously premature as the fresh tourism initiatives of DOT under your leadership are still in the process of unfolding and would equally promote all Philippine tourist attractions and destinations,鈥� he added.
Last Wednesday, Salceda frowned over the new Department of Tourism (DOT) advertisement featuring the country鈥檚 new marketing catchphrase, 鈥楲ove the Philippines鈥�, as Mayon Volcano was not featured in the almost two-minute video.
Salceda vented his frustration at DOT, adding that the department has let down the Albay people who rely on tourism. But he reassured Frasco, whom he calls a 鈥渇riend,鈥� that the problem is fixable.
In response, Frasco assured Salceda that the new campaign was just the start and that Mayon and Albay itself would be featured in other tourism promotion campaigns.
In a short statement sent in by his staffer, Salceda said that he only stood up for the province he represents.
鈥淣o apologies for standing up for Albay 鈥� the people I represent. Thank you,鈥� he added.
Lagman, who termed Salceda鈥檚 concern 鈥減arochial,鈥� said the DOT鈥檚 work to improve water availability at the Mayon Tourism Complex would contradict his claim that the volcano is not a priority.
鈥淭he best argument against Rep. Salceda鈥檚 parochial view on the supposed low priority accorded to the Mayon Volcano is your resolve to address the lack of potable water supply to the Mayon Tourism Complex, including the newly renovated Mayon Skyline Hotel (formerly Mayon Rest House), which was funded upon my initiative,鈥� Lagman said.