By Chito Chavez
Quezon City has been hailed as the country’s new Health and Wellness Tourism Capital, based on an ordinance signed by Mayor Herbert Bautista.
Authored by Councilor Kate Abigael Coseteng, City Ordinance 2799-2018 declared Quezon City as the country’s top destination in health and wellness.
Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista
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“Growth is phenomenal and the Philippines is poised to benefit because of our hospitality, skilled doctors and ready facilities. Quezon City wants to be part of it and I want all of you to be part of this success story,” Bautista said in a statement.
The city’s medical and tourism stakeholders are tasked to develop a comprehensive plan that will highlight Quezon City as the medical tourism destination through programs and policies that are consistent with the City Tourism Development Plan.
The city government is mandated to promote medical hospital facilities offering high quality medical services with a hospitable workforce and up-to-date facilities at a reasonable cost.
Coseteng chairperson of the Committee on Tourism Cultural Affairs, and Heritage, has stressed the number of hospitals and hotels in Quezon City which she maintained contributes to the growth of the medical tourism industry.
“There are a lot of medical centers, clinics, fitness centers, aesthetic clinics, and hotels and travel agencies registered in Quezon City. They can come up with a plan or a package that will cater to clients with medical needs,” Coseteng said.
She added that medical packages can be made available for those who seek treatment in Quezon City.
A technical working group will formulate a development plan that is in accordance with the City Tourism Development Plan and subject to confirmation by the City Council through a resolution.
The plan may include programs on tax holiday and incentives for medical facilities and amenities improvement and acquisition of modern medical and wellness equipment.
The City Health Department and the QC Tourism Department will serve as the secretariat to facilitate and ensure the performance of the duties of the technical working group.