DOT slammed over magazine cover featuring Frasco

National

THE Department of Tourism (DOT) has come under renewed criticism after Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia-Frasco appeared prominently on the cover of a tourism magazine.

The move sparked backlash online, with some questioning the focus of the publication.

An advertising and production executive voiced frustration on social media, saying extensive work showcasing hundreds of tourist destinations was reduced to a cover highlighting the tourism chief instead. Although the post was later deleted, screenshots circulated widely and fueled debate.

Online reactions largely criticized the decision to feature Frasco as the main visual draw rather than the country’s tourist attractions. Commenters argued that the spotlight should have been placed on destinations promoted by the agency.

In a report by Philstar, the controversy centered on the first issue of the free magazine Philippine Topics, whose cover highlighted Frasco alongside a banner promoting the Philippine Pavilion at the Osaka Expo 2025. The publication was produced and released in December 2025 by private advertising and printing firms.

Inside the magazine, several pages were devoted to the DOT, the tourism secretary, and government tourism plans, including efforts to attract Japanese travelers. The DOT has yet to issue a statement addressing the criticism.(Xienderlyn Trinidad, USJ-R Comm Intern)