DOT bares more projects

CEBU, Philippines —  Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco bared several groundbreaking tourism projects this year which include the construction of the country’s first tourist first aid facilities and additional hyperbaric chambers for dive safety in select strategic locations.

Frasco, in a briefing with South Korean media partners and listening tour with South Korean travel and tourism stakeholders at the Lotte Hotel Seoul, disclosed DOT’s plans to establish additional five hyperbaric chambers across the country through its infrastructure arm, the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA).

“We believe that the safety and well-being of our diving community and our tourists is paramount that is why we are committed to ensuring that every dive is not only a journey to the spectacular marine wonders of the Philippines, but also a safe one. A part of our ongoing dedication to diver safety, we are excited to announce a significant enhancement in our dive safety medical services,” Frasco said.

The construction and addition of five hyperbaric chambers will be put in place in key dive destinations in the country, including Cebu, Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro, Boracay, Negros Oriental, as well as Camiguin. These five hyperbaric chambers are on top of the existing 15 that can already be availed of by the tourists while they are in the country.

No specific area in Cebu had been mentioned in the press statement, but The Freeman saw a notice of award to an authorized representative of Deutsche Motorgerate Inc. in Tienza’s website for the supply, delivery, installation, testing and commissioning of five units walk-in multi-place hyperbaric chambers for Daanbantayan in Cebu, Boracay Island, Malay Aklan, Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Camiguin Island and Puerto Galera in Oriental Mindoro.

A total contract price of P339,795,000 had also been disclosed for in the notice of award signed by TIEZA Chief Operating Officer Mark T. Lapid.

Aside from that, DOT, through its attached agency, the Philippine Commission on Sports Scuba Diving (PCSSD), is actively leading the development and audit of dive sites across the country, bringing the total number of dive destinations to 120.

The tourist first aid facilities will also be in various destinations. This will be in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH).

“The tourist first aid facility will be equipped with skilled healthcare professionals who will have access to quick response resources to be able to attend to injuries and emergencies, enhancing the safety and peace of mind of our tourists while they travel,” Frasco said.

The new flagship project, according to the Secretary, is part of the DOT’s efforts to elevate the status of Philippine tourism to be at par with other tourism nations in the world.

Other initiatives that have been rolled out since last year include the launch of the Hop-On Hop-Off Tourist Bus Tours in key cities, construction of Tourist Rest Areas, launching of Philippine Experience Program nationwide, among others.