NegOr Gov orders removal of tourism billboard

NegOr guv orders removal of controversial tourism billboard
By Mary Judaline Partlow August 13, 2019, 8:12 pm



The controversial billboard in Pasig City ordered taken down by Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo. (Photo courtesy of Provincial Tourism Office)

DUMAGUETE CITY -- Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo has ordered the removal of a controversial billboard promoting a tourism attraction in Bais City, which drew flak from netizens who found it “offensive”.

Provincial Tourism Officer Myla Mae Bromo Abellana on Tuesday said that Degamo will no longer issue a statement regarding the billboard, as earlier announced but ordered its removal from its location in Metro Manila.

Abellana said following Degamo’s order on Monday, the billboard, measuring 30 feet by 50 feet, was removed from its location at URC Flour Plant along C-5 Bagong Ilog, Pasig City.

The billboard’s photo featured a male foreigner and an Asian woman lying on the floor of the prow of a boat out at sea, surrounded by dolphins.

The intention of the billboard was to promote the famous whale- and dolphin-watching activities in Bais City in Negros Oriental, but many people, in their Facebook comments, said the photo was “sexually suggestive, inappropriate, and putting out the wrong message”.

Abellana explained that the billboard was part of the province’s good intentions to promote tourism and in fact, they even borrowed that photo from the married couple in the picture who own a kite-surf school in Zamboanguita, Negros Oriental.

The billboard, which was put up last August 7, is one of three that the Provincial Tourism Office had approved following deliberations with its marketing and promotions team, to be used as marketing tools, she said.

All three billboards cost PHP1.5 million for two months of outdoor advertising which the provincial government paid for, she added.

 

LOL

 

I did not know there was a Kite Surfing School in Zambonguita.

 

They were just upset that no one was watching the dolphins

 

A married couple should be kissing and fondling in public?

 

Old white guy with young Filipina. Might be factual but it is not what most Filipinos want portrayed. I don't think it is offensive but it also wasn't a really good choice of image, it just isn't that appealing.

 

Their hands were not where they would normally be so not offensive

 

Why anyone would think that photo was tourism-worthy is what confuses me. Looks like someone stole the photo off someone’s phone. Doesn’t look like a professional photographer took it. Focus is also on the couple and not on the dolphins, which begs the question on which part of the tourism trade they were promoting.