LEGAZPI CITY—The Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Sorsogon has declared American blogger Nathan Allen a persona non grata as an expression of protest for the derogatory remarks he made against the Donsol tourism office that was published in his “I dream of this” weblog last month.
Board Member Frank Eric Ravanilla filed the resolution declaring Allen as persona non grata which was approved by the council during its regular session last week.
Ravanilla filed the resolution owing to Allen’s insulting remarks against Donsol tourism officials, as well as the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Part of Allen’s article read: “Is the DOT just hiring members of their families who need jobs? I hope not… these people need to Actually be qualified!”
Allen got angry when he was not readily accommodated by the Donsol tourism personnel upon his arrival in the place.
He visited Donsol town, the world’s Whale Shark Capital, without prior notice to local tourism officials.
Ravanilla said Allen’s blog already got more than 3,000 likes, adding that those potential tourists who read the comment may decide not to come to Donsol anymore.
“We are really bothered by this blog because this may affect the community-based tourism activities in Donsol that are giving jobs and income to small businessmen and marginal stakeholders,” the local legislator said.
The resolution said Allen’s statement in his blog site assailing tourism officials in Donsol for not giving him the reception that he expected is irresponsible and self-serving.
“It is rather surprising—if not ridiculous—that an experienced traveler like Allen, who seems to have gone to many countries visiting tourist destinations and promoting them, would go to Donsol without supplying himself with any information about the place he intends to visit that other tourists normally do when they make a trip to a certain place which is readily accessible in the Internet,” the resolution added.
Ravanilla reminded Allen that if he could not adapt to the local culture, he should at least respect it.
He said the Sorsogon officials were enraged by the US citizen-blogger for maligning the tourism personnel of Donsol town, known for whale shark interaction worldwide.
Ravanilla said they already sent copies of their resolution to the US Embassy in Manila,t he Sorsogon local governments, as well as the provincial governments of Masbate and Albay.
2 comments
Instead of making the system work more effectively, they try to shoot
the messenger who is trying to point out their weaknesses.
Narrow-mindedness on the part of the local government – unwilling to
accept constructive criticism. Now that the news has publicized in CNN
International these local government officials have now done more harm
to themselves and their local tourism industry. Instead of being
PROACTIVE these idiots have been REACTIVE thus their carelessness have
put them in a muck now.
why get mad at Nathan, when he was just telling the truth!!!! Many of our kababayans are just plain A-holes…