By: Lorraine Isabel Pu-od
Due to the growing number of travelers arriving in Boracay, free COVID-19 booster jabs were offered to fully-vaccinated local and foreign tourists under the program Resbakuna sa Botika on Feb.11.
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| Photo By Cristel Maquirang Enero |
Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat led the launch of the said program, joined by National Task Force Against COVID-19 (NTF) Chief Implementer Carlito Galvez Jr, NTF Deputy Chief Implementer and testing czar Vince Dizon, Office of the President Assistant for the Visayas Undersecretary Anthony Gerard Gonzales, Aklan Governor Florencio Miraflores and Malay Mayor Floribar Bautista.
Vaccinations took place at Watson's Pharmacy City Mall Boracay and shots were accomplished by licensed pharmacists.
On the same date, Resbakuna KIDS program also started its vaccine drive for children aged five to 11 at Paradise Garden Resort.
Puyat stated that foreigners are confident to travel in Boracay because of the vaccination rate and the booster drive.
According to the Department of Tourism (DOT), a total of 17,910 or 102.50% of the target population of tourism workers are fully immunized and 2,671 individuals or 15.29% have received their booster shots.
The DOT Secretary added that they are anticipating an influx of visitors since the reopening of borders and alleviation of travel restrictions.
The tourism office of Malay revealed that 20 international tourists had already touched down in Boracay between Feb.11 and Feb.12. They were the first tourists from outside the country to visit the island after almost two years.