SENATE President Juan Miguel Zubiri has filed a resolution seeking an investigation on the lack of medical facilities and health professionals in the country’s prime tourist destinations.
Zubiri said he was prompted to file Senate Resolution No. 937 after learning that most tourist spots in the country do not have the proper medical facilities and trained personnel to attend to the health and safety not only of domestic and foreign tourists, but residents, as well.
Approval of SRN 937, he said, would ensure easy access to the medical facilities, especially during times of need.
As an example, Zubiri cited the instance involving Miguel Gabriel Ruiz, 25, who died in Palawan after allegedly stepping on a sea urchin back in 2015. Ruiz’ family decried the lack of medical facilities and trained personnel in the province which could have saved Miguel’s life.
On another instance, Zubiri said the son of journalist Karen Davila suffered surfing injuries while in Siargao in 2018, but they were unable to get appropriate first aid and timely medical care since the nearest hospital was 45 minutes away.
He said the incident involving Davila’s son served as an eye opener for government officials who then ordered the construction of the Siargao Medical Center.
He said local government units have started the construction of similar health care facilities after Congress passed the Regional Specialty Centers Act.
“Despite these efforts, access to adequate medical care and well-equipped hospitals in tourist destinations remains a problem, with health and safety still among the main concerns of tourists travelling to the Philippines,” he said.
He bewailed that the lack of such facilities has been a deterrent in attracting more tourists to the country.
Zubiri said such facilities should be put up to sustain or even surpass the recorded international tourist arrivals of 5,450,557 from January 1 to December 31, 2023 based on records of the Department of Tourism.
“Ensuring access to adequate health and medical services in tourist destinations should go hand-in-hand with our country’s efforts to promote and develop our tourism industry. As such, it is important to study and identify the issues and address the gaps to come up with further solutions,” he said.
