Misspelled ASEAN tarpaulins probed

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations 2017 National Organizing Committee has launched an investigation on the controversial welcome tarpaulins for delegates of the 31st ASEAN Summit displayed around Metro Manila which misspelled the name of the country.

Photos of a tarpaulin which misspelled "Philippines" as "Philppines" went viral on social media over the past few days.

Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Kris Ablan said the NOC is now probing the misspelled tarpaulins which he said did not conform with the approved layout.

“We are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the distribution and display of the subject tarpaulins or billboards," Ablan said, citing the official NOC statement.

"The exact tarpaulins or billboards pinned in the areas leading to the Mall of Asia complex did not conform to the approved final artwork," he added.

According to Ablan, the ASEAN 2017 Committee on Media Affairs and Strategic Communications developed brand guidelines within an approved final artwork for rollout nationwide.

Ablan said that the tarpaulins were neither printed nor distributed by the PCOO, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, the Department of Public Works and Highways, the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), or the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority.