In the wake of the controversial tourism slogan video released by the Department of Tourism (DOT), Senator Sonny Angara has declared that the government has incurred a substantial loss.

This was after the 'Love the Philippines' campaign video, which featured footage not taken in the Philippines, sparked widespread criticism. Netizens were the first to expose that the images and videos included in the “Love The Philippines” campaign were sourced from Storyblocks, a collection of stock videos.

Angara asserts that the best course of action for the DOT is to redo the promotional video.

“They should at the very least redo the campaign video. Parang nalugi ang gobyerno,” he pointed out.

He also emphasized the need to showcase authentic Filipino experiences.

”Dapat may konting pride tayo sa ating trabaho especially if we are selling and marketing the Philippines,” said the senator.

Even the advertising agency contracted by the DOT, DDB Philippines, admitted that some of the videos they included were not their own footage and were sourced from other countries.

It has now been revealed that the footage of the Rice Terraces featured in the tourism video was not taken in Banaue but in Bali, Indonesia. The fishing scenes were shot in Thailand, the Sand Dunes were captured in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and the airport footage was taken in Zurich, Switzerland.

The DOT has ordered an investigation into the controversy. The initial reports indicate that the agency has spent 49 million pesos for the new tourism slogan, “Love The Philippines.”

The investigation aims to determine the extent of the losses incurred and the necessary actions to rectify the situation.