Buhay Carinderia project suspension stays: DOT chief

Department of Tourism (DOT) chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday reiterated the suspension of Buhay Carinderia Redefined project of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and private firm Marylindbert International, following the reported staging of its North Luzon Roadshow. (Photo: Department of Tourism – Philippines/Facebook)

MANILA– Department of Tourism (DOT) chief Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday reiterated the suspension of Buhay Carinderia Redefined project of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) and private firm Marylindbert International, following the reported staging of its North Luzon Roadshow.

“Given the suspension of the program, and pending its review by the Commission on Audit (COA), any activities of the private proponent of Buhay Carinderia at this point are not sanctioned by the DOT and should not in anyway be considered as connected with the Department,” Romulo-Puyat said in a statement.

“DOT has not disbursed any further funds since the suspension,” she added.

Once verified, Romulo-Puyat said the agency will take “appropriate steps,” including formally informing the other party about “DOT’s actions.” The secretary did not elaborate.

Buhay Carinderia Redefined’s Facebook page showed an upcoming event titled “Buhay Carinderia: Vigan City” at the Vigan City Convention Center set from June 29 to June 30.

Within the first week of June, Buhay Carinderia Redefined has concluded pre-qualifying events in North Luzon.

In a Memorandum dated May 18, 2018, Romulo-Puyat instructed the “suspension of the implementation of all ongoing TPB projects” subject to COA review, including the Buhay Carinderia project.

The review was requested after questions were raised on TPB’s PHP80 million payment for the Filipino food tourism project. It was later discovered that the project has not gone through the regular bidding process.