Mariveles, Bataan — Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) Chairman Emmanuel D. Pineda said that the Freeport Area of Bataan (FAB) is one of the best zones in the country for the development of the healthcare industry and that it is open for medical tourism.

Pineda, who is also the AFAB administrator, made the statement following recent news that medical tourism is poised to continue growing globally in the next few years. Locally, it is a P3- billion industry.

“Healthcare presents an opportunity for eco-zones like the AFAB where the medical tourism angle can be built on,” he pointed out.

“In particular, given a sizable bulk of healthcare costs account to rehabilitation and not just operation, the latter can be done in Manila but the rehabilitation can be done in the AFAB,” the chairman added, noting that the freeport’s nice beaches, clean air and lower costs would be attractive for the foreign market.

“Foreign firms can also manufacture healthcare equipment in the AFAB,” he stressed.

The AFAB’s administrator believes that although the Philippines’ medical tourism is still a growing industry, the country can attract foreign investors engaged in health-related businesses. The Philippines is recognized as one of Asia’s most advanced nations in the field of healthcare, with many leading hospitals in the country already accredited by the Joint Commission International and certified by the International Organization for Standardization.

Source: http://news.mb.com.ph/2017/01/17/freeport-area-of-bataan-open-to-medical-tourism-industry/

Mar T. Supnad, Manila Bulletin