Source: Public Relations and Information Department

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Apologize to Baguio residents --- solon
12 May 2005 10:18:38 AM
Writer: Gaily Banaag, PRID

A congressman today asked for a congressional investigation of a private owned internet website allegedly spreading derogatory statements against Baguio City, the country's premier tourist spot.

In a privilege speech, Rep. Maurico Domogan (Lone district, Baguio City) identified www.tagaytay.com, owned by a certain Ms. Owens as spreading derogatory statements against the summer capital.

Ms. Owens website was quoted as saying that "unlike the popular City of Baguio, the most polluted city in the Philippines…."

According to Domogan the advertisement carries an offensive statement against the people of Baguio just to promote tourism in their own city. "This is a clear act of crab mentality which is possibly one of the reasons why our tourism industry cannot flourish," the solon added.

Appearing before the House Committee on Tourism, Atty. Perfecto Lucero of the Mayor’s Office of Tagaytay City decried the website and said the city government has nothing to do with it.

He said they have called the attention of the website owner to the matter after a substantive investigation by the local government.

A letter of apology to Domogan from Ms. Owens claimed that the website had no malicious intention of perpetuating negative propaganda against other tourist destinations.

It was further claimed that the words were quoted from an alleged study done by the World Bank. Domogan said the alleged study may have been done during the peak season at Session Road alone which has the most vehicular traffic in Baguio City.

Domogan, however, remained adamant and said nothing short of a letter of apology addressed to the people of Baguio and posted on the website will suffice to ease the ruffled feelings of the city residents.