DOT says over 1k safety seals issued to certified enterprises

The Department of Tourism has released more than 1,500 safety seal certificates to DOT-accredited tourism enterprises, a director said Thursday.

DOT director Virgilio Maguigad said a total of 1,612 tourism enterprises have applied for safety seals, of which 1,582 have been approved.

Maguigad said 30 applications are being processed or evaluated.

“This particular safety seal issued by the DOT is valid up to 1 year upon which it’s linked to the accreditation. Once their accreditation expires or is due for renewal, they would have to be evaluated again,” he said at the DOH Kapihan.

According to Maguigad, the National Capital Region, Region VI, and Region IV-A have issued the highest number of safety seals certificates at 264, 168, and 161, respectively.

Meanwhile, a total of 317,892 or 92.51% of tourism workers have been vaccinated against COVID-19 nationwide. The DOT aims to vaccinate 349,543 workers.

“NCR has the highest number of tourism workers vaccinated, followed by Region V, and Region III,” he said.

Maguigad said all tourism workers in Baguio City, Aurora, Coron, El Nido, Puerto Princesa, San Vicente, Mandaue City, and Camiguin are vaccinated.

“Of course, booster shots are also on the pipeline for these tourism markers,” he said.

According to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the DILG and local government units have issued a total of 59,139 safety seals. —LBG, GMA News