RP eyeing to be Asia's health, wellness capital

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Tourism (DOT) and Department of Health (DOH) want to make the Philippines the health and wellness capital in Asia. According to a report on QTV's Balitanghali Saturday, the DOT has launched the "Health and Wellness in the Heart of Asia" program to boost medical tourism in the country. It said that part of the objectives of the program is to improve the Philippines' health services, cosmetic hospitals and hospital staff. Moreover, the DOH said it also wants to improve the Pinoy traditional massage called hilot. "The Philippines is fortunate to be following the medical cluster, the wellness cluster, and the retirement cluster," said DOH Medical Tourism Program Manager Dr. Anthony Calibo. "And this is unique in the Philippine setting because this is not present in Singapore, Thailand, and even India," he said. - Kimberly Jane Tan, GMANews.TV