SEPT 24, 2015

NR # 3967

Establishment of health facilities in key tourism destinations

In response to the growing demands to bolster emergency preparedness in the tourism
industry, a lawmaker has filed a bill establishing well-equipped and well-mannered health facilities in
key tourism destinations.
Rep. Erlpe John M. Amante (2nd District, Agusan del Norte), author of House Bill 6070, said
recent events involving death of several tourists in Boracay Island, Leyte and the island-paradise of
Coron due to the inadequacy of the nearby hospital to treat the patients have placed the country in a
bad light.
These situations brought to fore the necessity in making the countrys tourist destinations
more prepared and effective in dealing with emergencies and health-related crises, Amante said.
Amante said tourism industry is prone to accidents due to the fact that most of its related
activities entail providing experiences that offer risks, thrills, and adventure.
But despite this industrys well-known nature, any untoward incident is still unacceptable to
the public; and the occurrence of such could even substantially affect the image of our destinations
especially if this is due to failure of authorities to respond to life-threatening situations, he said.
Under the bill to be known as the Tourism Health Facilities Act, the Departments of
Tourism (DOT), Health (DOH) and Interior and Local Government (DILG) are tasked to coordinate
in the identification of tourist sites for the construction of tourism health facilities, to be referred as
THFs.
Priority will be given to tourism sites that are isolated or with no existing health facility
within four-kilometer radius. Each facility shall have a minimum capability to respond to emergency
cases and treat common illnesses and injuries.
These facilities shall have a minimum capability to respond to emergency cases and treat
common illnesses and injuries and shall be equipped with an ambulance, sea ambulance or helicopter
that can be deployed for emergency response in isolated areas and transport of patients to hospitals.
Also, the DOT shall take the lead in equipping the tourism security force, tour guides and
other tourism frontliners with basic knowledge and skills on emergency preparedness and response.
The DOH is mandated to determine the fees and charges for the use of the tourism facilities
provided that the government will subsidize the fees and charges incurred by Filipino residents while
foreign tourists will be required to pay the full value of services availed in the facilities.
The approval of this measure will demonstrate the governments sincerity in ensuring the
safety and welfare of all domestic and international travelers as a way to support the robust growth of
the tourism industry, Amante said. (30) lvc