Honorary Consul of Latvia Bobby Lim Joseph Jr. detailed complaints by Tourism department employees of Puyat’s alleged mishandling of the agency. Al Padilla
Tourism advocate Consul General Robert “Bobby” Lim Joseph Jr. yesterday called on Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat to resign due to her alleged mismanagement of the department.
Joseph, who is Honorary Consul of Latvia, presented the issues and complaints gathered from employees of the Department of Tourism (DOT), who have first-hand experience of Puyat’s management style.
Among the issues raised by DoT employees was the Tourism chief’s lack of sense of urgency.
It was revealed that she was taking so much time in reviewing the contracts of job order employees, causing delays in their salaries. Likewise, promotions due to qualified employees were also gathering dust on her table for months.
Three decades after the Marcopper mining disaster devastated Marinduque’s waterways, the province is again pressing the…
Housing is probably the biggest issue affecting people the world over.
Malacañang on Monday called for a more thorough investigation into the questioned flood control projects in Taguig…
The defense on Monday backed the move by senator-judges to exclude a prosecution witness who testified on the firearms…
Other than that, Puyat also allegedly delayed approval of work and financial plans and programs of the tourism operating units, including regions, even though all of the required documents were submitted earlier and on time in preparation for the DoT internal budget hearing.
Joseph cited how the Tourism chief misused the agency’s funds by living an “extravagant life” as a secretary.
On the first few days after her appointment, Puyat allegedly ordered the procurement of an iPhone 5. This year, she again ordered for an iPhone 8 Plus and a hand-carry luggage worth P14,000.
It was also revealed that apart from requiring an ocular visit and an exclusive van for her use in regional visits, she also requires an ambulance to be part of her convoy.
To address the said irregularities, Joseph asked Puyat to have a dialogue to tackle the issues about her leadership as the chief of the Tourism department.
“This concerns a lot of things,” he said. “If you don’t know the answers, perhaps you can call me to help you out. Let us make it a really open dialogue to bring your heart out. It is only a dialogue.”
“Please do the small things, because the small things are big things to others, especially with the employees of the DoT,” he added.
Joseph, likewise, asked Puyat to give the department’s employees what they deserve.
“Give them their promotions and incentives, so there won’t be any problem,” he stressed.
He said if Puyat fails to do her job as department secretary, he will initiate the campaign to oust her out of her post.
“If she does not do whatever has to be done, I will campaign,” he said.
