The Department of Tourism (DOT) is set to introduce “tourism first aid facilities” at major destinations nationwide. This new initiative will improve tourist safety by providing essential medical support wherever they travel.
DOT National Capital Region Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin announced that the agency is preparing to launch several new initiatives, including the establishment of tourism first aid facilities—a pioneering effort in the country’s tourism history.
She emphasized that this initiative is “another first in our country’s tourism history,” adding that “the establishment of our first aid facilities will ensure the safety and well-being of tourists in every destination in the Philippines.”
Zabala-Batin also noted that the DOT is working with local governments to develop a comprehensive tourism disaster risk reduction and management operations manual.
According to DOT Region 1 Director Jeff Ortega, La Union will be one of the first places in the country to receive the new first aid facilities this year. These facilities will include defibrillators and other essential equipment.
As for the “layover tour”, the DOT is also planning to introduce this initiative for travelers transiting through Ninoy Aquino International Airport. DOT NCR Director Zabala-Batin explained that a benchmarking activity was conducted at Incheon Airport in South Korea and Changi Airport in Singapore to study their transit tour systems.
She explained that they visited major airports to study their transit tours and are now preparing to launch a similar program in the Philippines.
The benchmarking team included representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Bureau of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, Philippine National Police, and the DOT.
The new tourism program will highlight the Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) Pasay-Parañaque route with 13 stops. By the end of the year or in 2025, the DOT plans to add three more HOHO hubs in Taguig, Quezon City, Pasig, San Juan, and Mandaluyong. Since its 2023 launch, the HOHO program has served around 2,000 passengers.
