Iloilo City is on the path to becoming a leading hub for medical tourism, thanks to a new ordinance proposed by Councilor Candice Magdalane Tupas. In a recent interview on January 16, 2025, Tupas expressed strong belief in the city’s hospitals’ readiness to serve tourists looking for wellness services. The ordinance, which has passed its first reading in the Sangguniang Panlungsod, aims to leverage Iloilo’s existing reputation as a tourist spot by expanding into health tourism.
Tupas, who is also a radiologist, emphasized the city’s potential to attract tourists not only for its scenic beauty but also for its advanced medical facilities and skilled healthcare professionals. She pointed out that Iloilo has already been drawing international patients for follow-up consultations, thanks to the expertise of its doctors and affordable medical fees.
The councilor hopes that local plastic surgeons will expand their services to include aesthetic procedures, moving beyond their current focus on reconstructive surgeries for conditions such as burns and cleft lips and palates. As she approaches the end of her final term, Tupas sees this ordinance as a lasting contribution to the city, aiming to integrate health with tourism and trade. She envisions health as a proactive and lifestyle-enhancing aspect of tourism, rather than merely a reactive measure to health issues.