The president of the Davao Tourism Association, Renato Gatchalian said that it is the responsibility of the business owners to inform and educate their workers on the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines.
“It is now our role as businessmen to let them understand na because of the situation they have to cooperate, they just have to resurrender themselves to this weapon, kasi hindi natin alam etong gyera na hindi natin nakikita ang kalaban kelangan natin ng weapon at ang bakuna ay isang sandata. (we do not know this war, which we do not see the enemy, we need this weapon and the vaccine is the weapon).
Gatchalian’s DATA is partnering with the City Government of Davao to inoculate around 5,000 to 7,000 tourism workers in the city with COVID-19 vaccines.
DATA is an association of tourism and tourism-related, allied establishments operating in the city.
Gatchalian a popular local restaurateur known for his coffee shops and themed restaurants said many of tourism-related businesses including restaurants and other dining establishments were gravely affected by the pandemic. He sees the vaccine as a way of recovery.
He describes the changes in quarantine status as an on-off switch which is hard for a businessman to plan.
“But as businessmen we look for a better future and we are very hopeful with the arrival of the vaccine, it will help us restart slowly but surely” Gatchalian said.
One of the problems they will be encountering is vaccine hesitancy among the tourism workers.
“Ang challenge pa rin natin ngayon is convincing the workers in our sector to be vaccinated, it is a challenge because not everyone has the same thinking,” Gatchalian said.
He said currently they are prepping up for the start of the vaccines among their activities is an information campaign to convince the tourism sector to be open about vaccines.
The information campaign will be participated by tourism business leaders and tourism business owners.
“Pasabton nato ang mga workers kay daghan confused, daghan sources na muingon pag ma vaccinate kai ng-ani mahitabo, We do not also discount the fact on the possible side effects pero kung mahadlok ta magpabakuna dili ba mas hadlok magkasakit ta, mas hadlok ang maospital ta ang matakdan atong pamilya, di ba mas hadlok? (We have to make the workers understand because many are confused, There are many sources telling them that if they get vaccinated these will happen to them. We do not discount the fact on the possible side effects but if we are scared of being vaccinated, is it much scary to be ill with COVID, to be in a hospital or infact our family and loved ones),” said Cherry Al-ag the president elect of the Davao Tourism Association.
Al-ag said they will educate first the undecided and confused segment of the tourism industry as part of preparing for the launch of the vaccination program which will be conducted at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao. (PIA XI/RG Alama)
