Following the order of President Bongbong Marcos to increase the deployment of policemen in tourist spots of the country, the Eastern Visayas Regional Police has launched a program that is aimed at securing both local and foreign tourists who would visit the region.
Eastern Visayas is the home region of Marcos' mother, former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
Dubbed as Tourist Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP), the project seeks to ensure the feeling of comfort and safety among tourists who plan to visit tourists destinations in Eastern Visayas for vacation and other leisure activities., according to Police Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, director of the Police Regional Office 8.
The TOPCOP program is now being implemented in coordination with the regional Department of Tourism office headed by Director Karina Rosa S. Tiopes.
“This is timely nowadays as we are now steadily transitioning from the pre-pandemic era to adopting a new normal. As President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Romualdez Marcos (PBBM) sees tourism as one of the pillars in his administration, we need to do our fair share toward achieving this common goal, " said Banac.
The Marcos administration sees tourism as an essential tool for the country to revive from the adverse economic impacts brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Based on the discussion with the regional DOT officials, Banac said their focus is to ensure that local and foreign tourists will be protected not only from criminal elements but other threats through proactive police actions.
He said a number of policemen were already trained on tourism security which includes enforcement of health safety protocols.
“The main objective is to revive the tourism industry in the region especially that quarantine restrictions have been eased. With the reopening of tourist destinations in the Region, this program will assure tourists and travelers, both foreign and local, of their physical safety and security,” said Banac.
“This will also help promote a safer and secured tourist environment, which for one is the primary mission of this program,” he added.
The launching of the TOPCOP was attended by other top officials of the PRO8 and DOT and virtually attended by 119 Police Commissioned and Police-Non Commissioned Officers from the different Police Provincial, City Offices of the Region.