The national government will establish first aid facilities in major tourism hotspots, including Palawan, to enhance the safety of visitors across the country.
This initiative follows a recent agreement signed on July 29 by Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco, Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Teodoro Herbosa Jr., and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).
In May of this year, Herbosa announced plans to enhance emergency response services for tourists in Coron and El Nido, both of which are classified as Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs).
The other tourism areas where the Tourism First Aid Facilities (TFAFs) will soon rise are La Union, Panglao, Boracay, Siargao, and Puerto Galera.
Frasco said at the event that investing in tourist convenience and safety is a must. The partnership represents an important step for Philippine tourism, as demonstrated by the signing of the memorandum of understanding to create the country’s initial TFAFs.
“If our tourists become ill or injured during a trip to any of our island destinations, we must be able to ensure proper, rapid, and the best care on site,” she said.
Frasco emphasized that the government’s efforts to improve the tourism sector through a cooperative agreement between various agencies aim to make the country more competitive on a global scale.
The improvements aim to create a better overall experience for tourists, which could lead to them staying longer, visiting more often, and spending more money during their visits. This, in turn, is expected to boost the economy by providing more jobs and income opportunities for Filipinos and supporting businesses that depend on tourism.
Herbosa also stressed that beyond the duty to showcase the country’s natural wonders, it is equally important for the DOH to ensure that tourists have immediate access to medical care and emergency services.
“The establishment of the tourism emergency facilities in our key tourist destinations reflects our government’s dedication to provide access to health services. These facilities will not only enhance the safety of our tourists but also contribute significantly to the health tourism objective,” he said.
The TIEZA Board of Directors earlier allocated ₱47.5 million to fund the initial installment of TFAFs.
The proposed facilities will serve as critical emergency response hubs, providing immediate care to tourists who suffer accidents or injuries during their visit.
They will be staffed by skilled healthcare professionals and stocked with essential medical supplies and medications.
Herbosa said these centers are designed to offer rapid and efficient emergency aid. In addition, they will serve a preventive role, with an upper level functioning as either a lifeguard station or a viewing deck to monitor tourist safety.
Complementing these TFAFs, solar-powered First Aid Booths (FABs) will be installed along extensive beachfronts. These booths will contain necessary first aid kits, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), pullout stretchers, CCTV cameras, and a two-way communication system that connects directly to a command center for emergency responses, ensuring tourists can receive prompt medical attention even in areas without immediate medical staff presence.
