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DOT, MakatiMed Foundation forge partnership for tourism destination health security

The Department of Tourism (DOT) through its partner, the Makati Medical Center Foundation Inc. (MakatiMed Foundation) received strong support for its pandemic response and security initiatives in local tourism destinations in light of the current coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat and MakatiMed Foundation Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan signed a joint Manifesto of Support to formalize the partnership.

“Today, as we sign this joint manifesto, I am putting my faith again in the Makati Med Foundation to replicate their achievements in Boracay and enhance the level of health security in other parts of the country,” Puyat said.

The Makati Medical Group has provided assistance to the Ciriaco S. Tirol Hospital and Boracay Clinic by way of medical equipment and training for the local medical staff. Partnerships and collaboration with various entities of the MVP Group, including the Makati Medical Foundation, SMART, the PLDT-Smart Foundation, and the Metro Pacific Foundation have dramatically improved Boracay’s health and communications capabilities.

Another tourist destination eyed to benefit from the partnership is Siargao.

Under the manifesto, the MVP group commits to train and provide technical assistance to local public hospitals in designated tourism destinations, donate appropriate hospital equipment and media supplies as hospitals prepare to resume full operations and re-open to tourists, and carry out strategic health security interventions, projects, and programs in various tourism sites.

“We, at the DOT, are blessed to have partners that have enabled tourism to reboot and start anew, partners that wholly support our advocacies and initiatives on our continuing path to recovery,” Puyat added.

MakatiMed Foundation President Victor L. Gisbert and DOT OIC Undersecretary Roberto P. Alabado III are the other signatories to the Manifesto.

Published:January 14, 2021

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