Arnold Gonzales named as new Tourism Promotions Board OIC

Career Executive Arnold Gonzales was named as the new Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Thursday, May 24. (Photo: Arnold Gonzales/Facebook)

Career Executive official Arnold Gonzales was named as the new Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), the Department of Tourism (DOT) announced on Thursday, May 24.

The DOT said in a statement that it “is pleased to announce the appointment of Arnold Gonzales as Officer-in-Charge of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) in the wake of the resignation of Cesar Montano, erstwhile TPB Chief Operating Officer.”

It added that Gonzales was unanimously chosen as OIC by the Board of Directors of the TPB.

The TPB is an attached agency of the DOT and which exists “to market and promote the Philippines domestically and internationally as a world-class tourism and MICE [Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions] destination, in strategic partnership with private and public stakeholders to deliver a unique high-value experience for visitors, significantly contributing to increased arrivals, receipts and investments to the country.”

Gonzales, 56, has been with the DOT for 30 years and was assigned to various tourism posts in the Philippines and abroad.

Prior to his appointment, the Tourism Department said that Gonzales was the OIC of Domestic Promotions Department of the TPB.

The Tourism Congress is set to convene in June to elect a new TPB head.

Montano tendered his resignation on Monday, May 22, after the food tourism project, “Buhay Carinderia,” was suspended due to alleged irregularities.

In an investigation ordered by DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, it was revealed that the TPB issued checks amounting to P80 million pesos in less than a month, even though the project has not yet started. The project, which had a total budget of P320 million, was also found to not have undergone public bidding.

Montano previously said that Buhay Carinderia was “endorsed” by former DOT chief Wanda Tulfo-Teo, who also stepped down from her post amid an alleged corruption scandal.