DOT eyes 31,000 tourism workers vaccinated in Palawan

The Department of Tourism (DOT) is aiming to vaccinate 31,000 tourism workers in Palawan against COVID-19, requesting 62,000 vaccine doses from the Department of Health (DOH).

An initial 4,000 doses of Sinovac vaccine have already arrived and will be used for the first batch of tourism front-liners in Coron, El Nido, San Vicente, and Puerto Princesa City.

DOT Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat emphasized that vaccinating tourism workers is crucial for the pandemic recovery program, preventing the spread of the Delta variant, and boosting domestic tourism.

Approximately 30,000 vaccine doses are allocated for Puerto Princesa City, with the remaining 32,000 doses designated for Coron, El Nido, and San Vicente.

Romulo-Puyat believes that vaccinating tourism front-liners will instill confidence in travelers, aid in the recovery of jobs and revenue lost due to the pandemic, and help restore livelihoods.

She acknowledged that escalating community quarantines are a temporary setback but necessary for public safety.

Palawan, recognized as a world tourism gem and previously named the World's Best Island by Travel + Leisure, continues to welcome local travelers.

Secretary Vince Dizon, along with local government officials, joined Secretary Romulo-Puyat during the ceremonial vaccination of tourism workers.