Is he promoting health protocol or himself?

National Youth Commission (NYC) chairperson Ryan Enriquez was blasted online for a “public service announcement” billboard on the pandemic that carried his massive photo.

A photo of the NYC billboard was posted by Facebook user Cliff Barizo Jr on Tuesday, September 1, with the following caption: “On a scale of 1-10, gaano ka-epal ang (how much of a show-off is the) National Youth Commission Chairperson?” It easily went viral.

Filipinos online were quick to notice that Enriquez’s face is bigger than the health protocol on the billboard.

Hindi po namin mabasa yung health protocols. https://t.co/gQv0YJlCP1

— ラッセル (@leaveofcourt) September 2, 2020

Early campaigning?

Netizens also cast doubt on the intention of the billboard, saying that the campaign season came way too early for the chairperson and calling him “epal” or show off.

The controversial Enriquez has already been slammed by various youth groups for failing to represent their interests. They want him out.

I though this is an Ad from a party-list, government agency pala ito. Early election dreams?

— Liars and Clowns 🤡🤡🤡 (@LiarsClowns) September 2, 2020

They also said taxpayers’ money must have been used to build the billboard.

Normalize calling out epal elected and appointed officials using our taxes to promote self interest. https://t.co/HCJJHbu9Xk

— Carlo (@_iamcarlo) September 2, 2020

The Commission on Audit, in its 2019 report, flagged the NYC for its questionable huge expenses despite its poor performance.

Pera niya iyan? Kung makalustay ng pera para sa paepal niya, ganoon-ganoon na lang! KAPAL!

— せんせいエム (@jesuisteacherem) September 2, 2020

Ay sus, hindi makatiis hindi ilagay ang pagmumukha, mabuti na rin yan, para makilala sya at matandaan kung sino ang mga nag-aaksaya at nagpapasasa sa pondo ng bayan!

— Ching (@Ching_sep21) September 2, 2020

Enriquez responded to the criticisms by posting a statement on his personal Facebook page.

He admitted that his face was “too big” for an information dissemination campaign.

The NYC chair also said that no public funds were used for the billboard as the ad space belongs to his family.

Read more sentiments from social media users on Twitter:

PSA billboard from NYC – Curated tweets by rapplerdotcom

What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments. — Rappler.com