The Department of Tourism (DOT) has reiterated the suspension of all projects of the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) responding to the reported staging of Buhay Carinderia North Luzon Roadshow. On its Facebook page, Buhay Carinderia posted an invitation to an event set for June 29 in Vigan City.

In a Memorandum dated 18 May 2018, DOT Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat instructed the “suspension of the implementation of all ongoing TPB projects…subject to the review of the Office of the Secretary in consultation with Commission on Audit (COA)” that includes the Buhay Carinderia project.

“Given the suspension of the program, and pending its review by the 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. DOT has not disbursed any further funds since suspension. And that DOT will verify reports, and will take appropriate steps, including formally informing other party about DOT’s actions,” Secretary Puyat said in a statement.

There has been issues of corruption in TPB COO  Cesar Montano was involved in. Secretary Puyat’s moved to assert why the agency paid P80 million in checks even if the project was not yet completed. Montano denied any wrongdoing but later voluntarily resigned.