The Department of Tourism (DOT) lauded the rollout of the government's pharmacy and drive-thru vaccination sites in Baguio City on Wednesday, Jan. 26.
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat said this initiative would greatly contribute to the Department's preparations for the reopening of the industry by ensuring that tourism workers and tourists are protected against COVID-19.
"Now that we are battling an Omicron surge, we are trying to get ahead of it outside NCR by making booster shots as convenient as possible for everyone. There is no longer a need to join a long queue at a centralized vaccination site. Just come by the participating pharmacies like Watsons or Mercury Drugstore and get a free booster shot while you buy your necessities," Puyat said.
"We look forward to seeing this initiative implemented in other parts of the country in the coming weeks," she added.
The DOT chief joined on Wednesday Health Secretary Francisco Duque III, Testing Czar Secretary Vince Dizon, Congressman Mark Go, and Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong during the launch of the program in the "Summer Capital of the Philippines."
With this, residents, as well as tourists visiting Baguio City may get their COVID-19 jabs at the Watson's Pharmacy in SM Baguio and at the Baguio Athletic Bowl where the drive-thru vaccination site is located.
Puyat also commended Magalong and Baguio City officials for their successful efforts to vaccinate the city’s residents, particularly its tourism workers.
The Baguio City local government has already vaccinated 100 percent of its tourism staff in hotels and other tourism-related enterprises, covering a total of 10,305 workers.
Meanwhile, 97 percent of Baguio City’s eligible adult population of 281,000 have also completed their COVID-19 jabs as of Jan. 21.
Baguio City is currently open to visitors provided that they present a negative result of an RT-PCR test or a rapid antigen test conducted within 72 hours and 24 hours prior to arrival, respectively.
Travel companions who are 12 to 17 years old are also covered by the same requirement, with the option to undergo testing procedures once in the city.