NEWSFLASH

COTABATO LEADERS SCORE TOURISM CHIEF

General Santos City, June 5, 2000 - Local government officials and business leaders in South Cotabato are up in arms against Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta who reportedly cited the province as one of the most troubled areas in Mindanao.

Gov. Hilario de Pedro III called as unfair and without basis Araneta's statement that the province was a risky destination.

De Pedro said the tourism secretary gave the impression that the peace and order situation in South Cotabato is as unstable as in Sulu and Basilan, the two others areas she had cited.

"We could not understand why she singled out South Cotabato. This is very unfair. She did not even mention Maguindanao or Lanao del Sur where battle has been raging," the governor complained.

He urged Araneta to update herself on the geographical locations of Mindanao and on what has been happening in a particular area.

Araneta's statement also drew the ire of the local business community which is hosting the 9th Mindanao Business Conference in July.

Neptali Gedorio, president of the MBS host South Cotabato Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said Araneta's "careless" statements clearly undermined their preparations.

He urged the tourism secretary to immediately clarify her earlier pronouncements.