The Department of Health-CALABARZON held the first “Health in Tourism Summit” to make the region a safe and healthy tourism destination.
Regional Director Eduardo Janairo said this could be realized by providing health regulations and enforcing safety standards among Tourism Related Establishments.
He said appropriate trainings, orientations sand advocacy activities related to health and safety in tourism were provided to all the participants in the summit.
“We need to ensure that general standards of health, safety and hygiene in all hotels, resorts and leisure parks must be enforced and implemented accordingly for the safety of both foreign and local tourists,” said Janairo.
He said the ‘HiT Program’ is part of their goal “Towards CALABARZON Prime” – to generate awareness on tourism programs in collaboration with government agencies, local government units, non-government organizations that will provide an efficient and effective health care delivery system that will cater to the health needs of TREs in the region.
The program intends to create and maintain a database of TREs in the region, assess the establishments according to the set of health and safety standards, provide technical assistance to TREs and advocate to local chief executives for the implementation of existing laws related to the health and safety of tourists in the country.
According to Janairo, the HiT program will also include vermin control and disinfection, health service provider networks, ensure the availability of medical clinics and medical emergency responders, putting up of health signages in hazardous parts and areas, provision of safety buoys and lifeguard tower/post.
“All these components will be put in place through collaboration with LGUs, other government agencies and stakeholders including the provision of water testing facilities both for drinking and recreational water facilities, garbage and sewerage disposal program, emergency response training, paramedics, ambulance driving and lifeguards.”
In its initial stage, the HiT Program has already conducted two batches of Lifeguard Qualification Training and successfully trained a total of 70 lifeguards from various resorts of the provinces.
Janairo assured that the regional office together with the Department of Tourism and Philippine Coast Guard will continue to conduct more trainings until all accredited TREs will have at least one trained lifeguard to immediately address any emergency situation and provide first aid treatment including basic life support service. “Awareness and preparedness are the key in saving lives”.
“Through the Hit Program, we will position CALABARZON as one of the safest leading tourist destinations in the country where everyone can enjoy their vacation safely and securely.” he emphasized.
During the summit, a Pledge of Commitment to safeguard the health and safety of tourists including the environment was signed by various resort owners and hotel managers of the five provinces who attended the summit led by Janairo, DOT OIC-Regional Director Marites T. Castro and Philippine Coast Guard Capt. Armando Balilio.
