Roque says he uses personal funds to promote tourism in provinces

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Thursday he uses personal funds for his trips to the provinces as part of his office’s advocacy to revive the coronavirus-hit tourism industry.

Roque has held press briefings in tourist destinations Baguio City, Bohol, Boracay and Palawan. His official Facebook account contains photos of his visits to these places.

“It’s become part of an advocacy of my office to help those that have opened tourism dahil importante nga na magkaroon muli ng hanapbuhay iyong ating mga kababayan,” Roque said at a news conference in Palawan.

“At of course, dahil magbubukas na rin ang Puerto Princesa sa December 8, it’s also to encourage the locals [to support the tourism industry],” he added.

Asked if his tourism campaign was covered by the budget of the Department of Tourism or the Office of the Presidential Spokesperson, Roque replied, “It’s mostly my personal funds.”

“No kidding because I only have P800,000 [as] budget [for my office],” he said.

Roque, a former law professor and party-list congressman, rejoined the Duterte administration in April this year.

He recently told reporters that he was looking forward to returning to private life when President Rodrigo Duterte's term ends in June 2022 amid speculation he might seek a Senate seat in the next elections. — BM, GMA News