ANGARA ENVISIONS RP AS ASIA'S MEDICAL TOURISM HUB

Citing the huge potential of the Philippines to become the Asia's medical tourism hub, Senator Edgardo J. Angara encouraged the health and tourism sectors to take advantage of this rapidly growing trend by investing on technology and by promoting our affordable medical and surgical services abroad.

"In the field of medical tourism, the Philippines has the potential of earning US$300 million a year. What is required is to step up the training of medical practitioners and health care workers to meet global standards and promote our health services to foreigners and Filipinos abroad," Angara said.

He added that aside from our world-class health services and top-notch medical staff, we can also boast of other services found in wellness spa and spiritual sites all over the country.

"The market for medical tourism is US$2 billion a year within the next five years and the Philippines can grab, with a trained staff and the infrastructure a sizable share of the total market," Angara said.

According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), around 3 million tourists visited the country last year, two million less of the 5 million target. "We can meet this target and overtake our neighboring countries such as Singapore and Thailand if we will capitalize on our strength".