Erwan Heusaff to return fee from axed Buhay Carinderia project —Puyat

Chef-blogger Erwan Heusaff will return the talent fee he received after working as program ambassador and content creator for the Department of Tourism's culinary tourism project Buhay Carinderia, Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat has said.

According to Saleema Refran's report on "24 Oras", Puyat said Heusaff told her that he only wanted to promote the country and its food.

"Kasi gusto lang naman niyang tumulong sa bayan. Babalik na lang daw niya yung pera. Wala naman sa kanya 'yun," Puyat said.

"Ang kay Erwan is gusto lang niya i-promote and Pilipinas at ang ating pagkain," she added.

Heusaff has yet to confirm the secretary's remarks.

Buhay Carinderia was among the DOT projects that were discontinued after it was found to have skipped public bidding.

Tens of millions of pesos have already been released to the project proponent before it was cancelled.

Tourism Promotions Board executive Cesar Montano resigned following the controversy over Buhay Carinderia. —NB, GMA News