CEBU CITY, Philippines - The controversy over the scrapped $329-million broadband deal that resulted to street demonstrations in different parts of the country has not yet affected the tourism industry, a travel agency official said Tuesday."At the moment, we are not yet affected (by the scandal)," said Robert Lim Joseph, National Association of Independent Travel Agencies (Naitas) chairman.
Joseph was referring to the controversial project that the government planned with China-based ZTE Corp. that would have connected government offices via broadband. The Senate is investigating the scandal and star witness Rodolfo Lozada Jr. claimed that former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos asked for a $130-million commission and discussed this with First Gentleman Mike Arroyo. Joseph, however, credited the positive outlook on an existing program where tourists make travel plans months in advance. "There is a program where bookings are made in advance. So far, these bookings are alright," he said during Tuesday’s 888 News Forum held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel in Barangay (village) Lahug, Cebu City. "But if the situation escalates, this will be the sad part. This may set back the country by 10 years," Joseph said, adding that the country has not yet recovered from the 1997 Asian financial crisis. He said rallies or street demonstrations would have no effect on the entry of foreign tourists in the country because this is part of our democratic process. /Editorial Assistant Bernadette A. Parco | 
