HOUSE OF REPRESE

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1404

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M. AMANTE

EXPLANATORY NOTE

On October 3, 2012, five tourists, including three (3) Taiwanese, died
due to drowning in Boracay Island. On May 9, 2015, a German tourist was
rushed to the hospital but was declared dead on arrival after scuba diving in
Leyte. On August 2015, the island-paradise of Coron was put into the
limelight after a young tourist died allegedly due to the inadequacy of the
nearby hospital to treat the patient who was believed to be poisoned by a
stone fish.

‘These situations brought to fore the necessity in making the country’s
tourist destinations more prepared and effective in dealing with emergencies
and health-related crises. Tourism, as an industry, is prone to accidents due
to the fact that most of its related activities entail providing experiences that
feature “risks,” “thrills,” and “adventure.” But despite this industry’s well-
known nature, any untoward incident is still unacceptable to the public and
the occurrence of such could even substantially affect the image of our
destinations especially if this is due to failure of authorities to respond
promptly and effectively to life-threatening situations.

In response to the growing demands to bolster emergency
preparedness in the tourism industry, this bill shall seek to provide for the
establishment of well-equipped and well-manned health facilities in key
tourism destinations. This will demonstrate the government's sincerity in
ensuring the safety and welfare of all domestic and international travelers as
a way to support the robust growth of the tourism industry.

In light of the foregoing, the passage of this bill is earnestly requested.

on fsa M. AMANTE

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Republic of the Philippines

House of Representatives
Quezon City, Metro Manila

SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
First Regular Session

1404

House Bill No.

Introduced by Honorable ERLPE JOHN “PING” M, AMANTE

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF HEALTH FACILITIES
IN KEY TOURISM DESTINATIONS AND PROVIDING FUNDS
THEREOF

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
session assembled:

SECTION 1. Short Title. — This Act shall be known as the
“Tourism Health Facilities Act.”

SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State
to ensure the safety and well-being of all domestic and foreign tourists
visiting the country’s tourism destinations by providing basic facilities
that can attend to emergency and health-related crises.

SECTION 3. Establishment of Health Facilities in Tourism
Destinations. — The Department of Tourism (DOT), Department of
Health (DOH), and the Department of Interior and Local Government
(DILG) shall coordinate in the identification of tourist sites for the
construction of tourism health facilities, hereinafter referred to as
THFs, or conversion of barangay health stations or rural health units
to THFs or equipping of other government hospitals in order to have
similar capabilities with the THFs. THFs shall have a minimum
capability to respond to emergency cases that are typical to their
respective sites and treat common ilinesses and injuries.

Provided, That priority will be given to tourism sites
that are isolated or those with no existing health facilities within five
(5)-kilometer radius or those with dilapidated health facilities.


Provided further, That the DOH shall institute a
system that will allow the THFs and other similarly-equipped health
facilities to be serviced by ambulances, sea ambulances or airlift
helicopters to enable the transport of patients needing advanced care
or treatment to other health facilities.

Provided furthermore, That local government units
(LGUs) shall provide the lots for the THFs as their counterpart.

SECTION 4. Training of Health Personnel, Tourism Security Force,
Tour Guides, and Other Tourism Frontliners.— The DOH shall
ensure that the health personnel deployed to all THFs are well-trained
to respond to emergency cases and common illnesses and injuries;
taking into consideration the idiosyncrasies of every tourism
destination

To complement the THFs, the DOH, in partnership
with the DOT, shall also take the lead in equipping the tourism
security force, tour guides, and other tourism frontliners with basic
knowledge and skills on emergency preparedness and response.

SECTION 5. Maintenance and Operations. — Maintenance
and operations of all THFs, including the provision of manpower and
supplies, shall be charged to the DOH.

SECTION 6. Fees and Charges.— Fees and charges for the
use of the tourism health facilities shall be determined by the DOH.
Provided, That foreign tourists shall pay for the full value of services
availed in the THFs.

SECTION 7. Appropriations. — The amount necessary to carry
out the provisions of this Act shall be included in the General
Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment into law and
thereafter.

SECTION 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. — The
Secretary of Tourism, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and
Secretary of Interior and Local Government, shall issue rules and
regulations as he/she may deem necessary for the implementation of
this Act.

SECTION 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive
orders, proclamations, rules and regulations, or parts thereof
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

SECTION 10. —Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the other provisions not affected
hereby shall remain valid and subsisting.



SECTION 11. —Effectivity.— This Act shall take effect fifteen
(15) days after its publication in at least two (2) national newspapers
of general circulation.

Approved,