More tourism workers in Baguio City have received their vaccines against coronavirus disease (COVID-19)-—a development seen by the Department of Tourism (DOT) as a big boost in making the Summer Capital of the country a "sanctuary of wellness and healing."
The DOT has partnered with Baguio City local government unit (LGU) and public and private stakeholders to roll out a vaccination program for workers under the A4 priority group.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said a total of 7,510 tourism workers in Baguio City have already received their COVID jabs, exceeding the agency's initial target of 5,994.
"The vaccination of our tourism workers will add another layer of protection for guests and staff, on top of continued adherence to health and safety protocols. With the increased confidence of people to travel, we hope to sustain the gradual growth of tourism that was started when Baguio was first reopened last October," Puyat said.
"The DOT sees the initiative as something that will contribute greatly to making Baguio City a sanctuary of wellness and healing, and the place where we can breathe in culture, creativity, and nature," she added.
Puyat went to Baguio City on Wednesday, Sept. 1 with testing czar Secretary Vince Dizon for the completion of the vaccination of tourism workers in the country's summer capital.
The ceremony, which was part of the three-day inoculation program from Aug. 31 to Sept. 1, was headed by the DOT Cordillera Administrative Region, Baguio Tourism Council, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Baguio, and Baguio Country Club.
According to the DOT, beneficiaries of the program include employees of accommodation establishments, restaurants, academe and schools, as well as media practitioners, artists, and members of various community-based tourism organizations, specialized tourism product providers, and tourism-related/oriented individuals and establishments in the city.
Aside from the ceremonial vaccination, Puyat served as the Guest of Honor during the opening of Baguio City's 112th Charter Anniversary celebration also on Wednesday.
"I wish to congratulate the City Officials and staff, for organizing yet another remarkable celebration that will showcase projects and endeavors for the development of the City," the tourism chief said.
"While the world continues to battle with the COVID-19 pandemic, let us keep moving forward and create innovative solutions that would transcend our current challenges and limitations," Puyat added.