en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Philippine Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (Tieza) recently turned over three solar-powered tourism first-aid kiosks to the Baguio City government, facilities aimed at enhancing emergency medical response capabilities in key tourist areas.
The turnover ceremony was led by Tieza Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, and City Environment and Parks Management Office (Cepmo) head Rhenan Diwas. Each kiosk, valued at PHP 4.7 million, has been installed at three core tourist destinations in the summer capital of Baguio: Burnham Park, Botanical Garden, and Bayan Park. These facilities provide immediate first aid and emergency assistance to tourists and residents, ensuring medical support is readily available in high-traffic areas.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong stated that beyond emergency response, these kiosks aim to enhance public safety, boost tourist confidence, and support Baguio's goal of becoming a safer and more resilient tourism destination. The kiosks are equipped with basic emergency response tools, including first-aid kits, automated external defibrillators, pull-out stretchers, and closed-circuit television cameras.
Tieza Chief Operating Officer Mark Lapid noted that Baguio City was selected as the first site for the tourism first-aid kiosk project due to its close collaboration with Tieza and its commitment to improving tourist safety. The three kiosks currently deployed are the first facilities under this initiative and will serve as a reference model for other tourist destinations nationwide. Lapid also revealed that Tieza plans to build more similar kiosks in Puerto Galera, Siargao, Bohol, and Boracay.
These kiosks are connected to the Baguio City Command Center, allowing emergency personnel to quickly coordinate with emergency medical services, rescue units, and other agencies through the system. Mayor Magalong pointed out that with this integrated system, incidents can be reported immediately, facilitating timely deployment of emergency responders and improving assistance efficiency. He stated that the kiosks can handle various emergencies, including sudden illnesses and medical incidents among tourists and residents, such as hypertension, dizziness, stroke, or fainting. "They just press the button and talk to the command center. Within minutes, they can get help," Magalong said. He added that currently, in Baguio's emergency response system, police response averages about 7 minutes, while medical response in tourist areas is estimated at around 12 to 15 minutes.
The mayor also expressed plans to expand the project by applying for more kiosks for other major tourist destinations and public parks, such as Sunshine Park and Wright Park.
