Children play at  a public playground in Valenzuela City. (PIA-NCR file photo)

QUEZON CITY, (PIA) -- Did you know that the month of April is Vacation Hazard Prevention Month? 

President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. made the trailblazing declaration in 1966 “to instill a culture of safety consciousness and proactive preparedness among Filipinos.”

"Now, more than ever, as a part of our national development, an impelling and constant need for propagating safety consciousness among our people every day of the year as a positive preventive approach to a problem," the proclamation reads. 

As the searing tropical sun kisses the pristine shores and breathtaking landscapes of the Philippines, the arrival of the summer months ushers in a time for respite, rejuvenation, and the creation of cherished memories. 

However, amidst the excitement of embarking on long-awaited vacations and reveling in the warmth of the season, a sobering reminder echoes: the potential for hazards lurks, threatening to cast a shadow over the joyous festivities.

Leading the way to address this important issue, the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth) is urging the public to be vigilant against the potential perils that can arise during the summer months. 

"Summer is a great time to go on vacations with family and friends, opportunities to beat the heat by cooling down at the beaches in our provinces and in popular tourist destinations," PhilHealth President and Chief Executive Officer Emmanuel R. Ledesma, Jr. said in a statement.

"However, accidents and medical emergencies on vacations are realities that we should be prepared to encounter. Our message to LGUs, private establishments, and health facilities this summer is to please put PEOPLE first."

PEOPLE, a comprehensive acronym, encapsulates the collective effort required to ensure the safety and well-being of vacationers. 

According to PhilHealth, PEOPLE stands for:

• Prevention: establishments and local government units should install measures like signs or labels to warn vacationers of possible hazards
  
• Emergency preparedness: tourism stakeholders must have emergency preparedness plans for different medical emergencies
  
• Onsite first aid kits and equipment: basic first aid kits, common medicines, blood pressure monitors, or other medical equipment must be on hand to attend to possible accidents or medical conditions that require immediate treatment
  
• Personnel training: personnel employed in the tourism industry should be schooled in basic first aid in order to properly attend to medical emergencies
  
• Linkages: communication lines must be established between private establishments, health facilities, and LGUs to ensure that medical emergencies can be immediately attended to
  
• Extraction plans: in cases where medical treatments are not available, the LGU or local health facility must have plans in place to transport patients to the nearest medical facility that has the available healthcare.
  
• Ledesma emphasized that by putting PEOPLE first, "vacationers can be assured that efforts will be made to ensure their safety and well-being."

"It's a team effort, and the different tourism stakeholders all have to contribute to this endeavor. Kung may mangyari man, nandito po ang PhilHealth para tumulong sa mga gastusin sa ospital," he added.

(If anything happens, PhilHealth is here to help with hospital expenses.)

As the summer months beckon with their promise of sun-drenched escapades and cherished memories in the making, let us heed the call of Vacation Hazard Prevention Month. 

By embracing a culture of safety consciousness and collective preparedness, we can ensure that the joys of the season are not marred by preventable hazards. 

Together, we can create an environment where summertime adventures are not only exhilarating but also secure, allowing Filipinos to immerse themselves in the beauty of their nation without trepidation. (PIA-NCR)