The Philippines’ tourism ambitions face a major hurdle as inadequate healthcare in popular destinations and high operating costs discourage investment in medical facilities.
Paolo Borromeo, chief social infrastructure officer at Ayala Corp., said tourists visiting destinations such as Siargao and Boracay sometimes have to travel long distances for emergency medical treatment, highlighting gaps in healthcare access outside major cities.
However, building hospitals and clinics in tourist hotspots can be financially difficult because of high operating costs and limited patient volumes.
“Without subsidies from our group, this would be a very difficult business to sustain,” Borromeo said, citing AC Health’s clinic in El Nido, Palawan, which has been operating for two years.
The clinic serves both tourists and local residents, with Filipinos accounting for about 80 percent of patients and visitors making up around 20 percent during peak months.
The figures illustrate the challenge of keeping healthcare facilities viable in tourism-dependent areas, where visitor numbers fluctuate seasonally but local communities also need reliable medical services.
Borromeo called for stronger public-private partnerships to develop sustainable healthcare facilities that serve both tourists and residents.
The gaps also limit the Philippines’ ability to compete with established medical tourism destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, he said.
The country needs more internationally accredited medical facilities, better supporting infrastructure and wider arrangements allowing foreign patients to use their health insurance locally.
Inadequate airports, hotels and transportation networks also make it harder to attract international patients who need convenient access to treatment and recovery facilities.
Addressing these shortcomings could strengthen the Philippines’ medical tourism industry while improving healthcare access in established tourist destinations.
Borromeo’s assessment highlights the need to pair tourism development with essential services. Without accessible and financially sustainable healthcare, the country risks struggling to meet the needs of both international visitors and residents in remote destinations.
