CoA: Montano’s P4.1-M overseas trips ‘illegal’
ACTOR Cesar Montano, former Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) chief operating officer (COO) and his deputy incurred extravagant and excessive foreign travels last year, which were illegal, a Commission on Audit (CoA) report showed Thursday.
Based on the CoA report on the TPB, Montano and his deputy for international promotions incurred travel expenses worth P2.3 million and P1.9 million, respectively, while Montano’s private secretary and executive assistant’s travel expenses in accompanying Montano reached P2.9 million—an amount higher than what the agency spent for Montano.
CoA flagged Montano for traveling abroad 14 times, which lasted for 91 days. His deputy traveled 16 times, which lasted for 113 days. They went to Asia, Europe, Australia and North America.
“We noted that the COO traveled to attend various events together with his executive assistant and personal assistant for 10 and 11 foreign travels, respectively. Travel abroad for more than 90 days and more than 12 times in a year of an officer or employee is deemed excessive and may have adverse repercussions on the management of the affairs of the government corporation,” the CoA report read.
“These travels were deemed excessive and impaired TPB’s compliance with Tourism Act,” the CoA added.
CoA did not identify Montano’s deputy, but TPB’s officer in charge and deputy chief operating officer for marketing and promotions is Maricon Ebron.
Business class
Montano, moreover, traveled with business class tickets costing P594,000, in violation of Executive Order 298 that requires officials to travel economy class unless otherwise authorized by the President.
“We have noted that frequent travels were undertaken by TPB officials since their mandate is to market Philippine tourism. However, as an austerity measure and in accordance to Tourism Act, the TPB should find ways to minimize the cost and optimize the performance of duties of its officers and employees for an effective and efficient organization,” CoA pointed out.
The CoA also cited its 2012 Circular that defines extravagant expenditures as those “incurred without restraint, judiciousness and economy.”
“The TPB should set limits on the travels of officers abroad and revisit TPB’s policies and operating manual on strategies for marketing and promotions abroad so as to develop an effective and economical annual plan, with proper costing of foreign and local travels,” it said in its recommendation.
The CoA report came out two months after Montano was forced to quit his post.
He drew public ire over TPB’s P80-million “Buhay Carinderia” project that did not undergo public bidding.
Buhay Carinderia was supposed to replace the popular Madrid Fusion Manila food festival.
Sponsorship spree
On top of excessive travels abroad, the Montano-led TPB also granted P58 million worth of financial assistance and/or sponsorships to projects even if the proponents did not undergo evaluation as to their capacity to finance their projects.
Other proceeds of the P58 million worth of sponsorship from the TPB were granted to proponents whose capacity to finance the project were rated low and those proponents with equity participation of less than the required 20 percent of the project cost, such as the Philippine Exhibits and Theme Parks Corp., which was granted a total sponsorship assistance of P12 million.
Another project that got a big share of TPB’s financial sponsorship spree was the Battle of Palawan: 55th Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation Convention in November 2017, which was supposedly aimed at strengthening boxing and discovering the next boxing superstar.
Moreover, the TPB shouldered P10.5 million of sponsorship money for a certain project, which cost P500 million more than the original proposal of the proponent.
“We recommend that the management set a defined criteria of proposals which should be aligned with TPB’s mandate, programs and activities, as well as determination of the reasonable amount to be granted. Projected Return of Investments should not only be defined in terms of TPB mandate but also based on equitable recovery of the monetary investments of government,” the CoA said.
Not related to tourism
In addition, the CoA also revealed that Montano’s TPB released P7 million worth of sponsorships to various organizations, local government units and private corporations ranging from P50,000 to P4.2 million, for events not related to promoting Philippine tourism as mandated in the Tourism Act .
“The objectives of the grants for financial assistance or sponsorship were purely for the media mileage/value obtained by TPB as sponsor of the events. Media mileages, such as live acknowledgment, radio/television advertisement and print advertisement/posters with the inclusion of TPB logo as co-presented of the event were the only deliverables given in return by requesting parties. These had no bearing on the promotion of the different tourist destinations in the country,” the CoA said.
The sponsorships were as follows: “Make your Move for Marawi, Let’s Go Dance Competition,” P4.2 million; “Musiko 2017: Grandest Marching Band Parade and Show Competition,” as part of the Bakood Festival, P2 million; “Mother’s Day Fun Run Takbo Para sa Ilaw ng Tahanan,” P500,000; “Padyak Palawan,” P150,000; 4th Musica Sacra worth 100,000 and US Independence Day Charity Golf Tournament P50,000.
“Promotions of the TPB through media mileage such as inclusion of logos, graphic presentations, signboards of TPB and DOT was not only contrary to 2013 CoA Circular but also not consistent with the mandate of the TPB which is the proportion of the Philippines as a tourism destination and its tourism products,” the CoA said.
“We recommend that management stop the granting of financial assistance or sponsorship to local government units and corporations whose projects and activities that are not related to the promotion of Philippine tourism,” the CoA added.
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