Press Release | 29 April 2024

Secretary Teodoro J. Herbosa met today with Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco to discuss the health of domestic and international tourists and tourism workers in their communities, among many avenues of cooperation between the two sectors of health and tourism.

In their discussion, Secretary Frasco expressed the Department of Tourism (DOT)’s goal of showcasing the Philippines as a prime tourist destination. A challenge to increasing tourist arrivals is limited access to health, safety, and hygiene services in communities with tourist areas.

The Department of Health (DOH) and DOT officials agreed in principle to establish first aid facilities, linked to broader health care provider networks, for domestic and international tourists in areas like San Juan (La Union), Coron, El Nido, Puerto Galera, Panglao, and Siargao, among others.

“When we fix health care for tourists – both our kababayans and our foreign visitors – we also work on the health care of the communities they visit,” said Sec. Herbosa. “Let us create healthier tourist sites by caring both for our people there and the visitors they welcome. We Love the Philippines, dahil sa Bagong Pilipinas, Bawat Buhay Mahalaga!” added Secretary Herbosa.