Tourism Sec. Bernadette Romulo-Puyat, in a dramatic statement, this afternoon, June 14, 2021, announced that 10,000 vaccine doses will be arriving in Bohol within this week, information coming from the Provincial Information and Media Relations (PRIMER) office says.
“The National Government has approved the request of Governor Art Yap for additional vaccines in Bohol so that tourism frontliners in Bohol can start preparing for a bigger re-opening of tourism in the coming days.” Sec. Romulo-Puyat declared.
According to Puyat, Bohol will be getting jabs made by Russia’s Gamaleya, which sports the brand Sputnik V.
“With these Gamaleya vaccines, we can at least start with ensuring that 5,000 frontliners from accredited hotel and resort staff, transport operators, tour site and restaurant facilities, will be vaccinated to protect themselves, visitors and local residents alike from the possible severe impact of Covid infections.” She added.
Bohol, which is a prime tourism destination in the country, has been reeling from the massive downturn in the sector due to the impact of the pandemic, according to the PRIMER report.Based on a research commissioned by the Provincial Government of Bohol, more than 200,000 people have either been laid off, are on itinerant work schedules or have had their livelihoods gravely affected due to the community quarantine imposed as part of the government’s response to contain the spread of the Coronavirus disease (Covid), the same PRIMER report adds.
“Bohol basically draws its income from remittances abroad and the services sector, and both sources have been impacted during this crisis. The promise of more vaccines arriving sooner than later is indeed great news so we can protect not only our local residents, but assure visitors alike that we are taking measures to assure their safety as well,” Gov. Arthur Yap said in a statement released by the PRIMER.
“With local tourism frontliners being vaccinated, the hope of opening up Bohol to regional travel bubbles coming from Asian and other destinations also becomes more possible in the coming days.” Sec. Romulo-Puyat mentioned in the information released by the PRIMER.
Moreover, Yap clarified that tourism workers coming from accredited establishments who have secured their Department of Tourim (DOT) certifications and the local tourism seal of excellence in Bohol, which is the UBE (Ultimate Bohol Experience) seal, are going to be prioritized in the said vaccination program.
Establishments which are willing to donate vaccines to the government, are also welcome to do so, according to the PRIMER.
“In that regard, I wish to thank Mr. Henry Chusuey of the Hennan Group, for his commitment to donate the equal number and some more, of the vaccines his employees will be receiving in this program.” Yap revealed.
“There are no standard procedures in confronting this pandemic. We have to make a stand to experiment with ways and means to recover the lives of our people. Along the way, mistakes and lapses do occur but in discovering and addressing them, is the way forward in adapting to this crisis. I appreciate that Bohol under Governor Art Yap is one of those Provinces who are showing the way in adapting to the demands of this Pandemic. Bohol’s local procedures have always striven to keep the locals safe while remaining welcome to tourism. This makes Bohol a prime candidate when we begin opening up direct travel bubbles with select regional destinations very soon.” Sec. Romulo-Puyat quipped.