QUEZON CITY, (PIA) — Department of Tourism National Capital Region (DOT NCR) Regional Director Sharlene Zabala-Batin assured the safety and security of tourists in Metro Manila with the presence of Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP).
During the weekly Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas held at the PIA Auditorium in Quezon City on Tuesday, July 9, Director Batin shared that there are 7,910 tourist police all over the country.
From this number, Batin said that 276 are deployed here in Metro Manila.
“Sa NCR, mayroon tayong 276 trained na TOPCOP, dispersed in the whole of Metro Manila. And for you to receive this training, dapat ay member ka ng kapulisan, you’ve been serving here (NCR), you’re deployed in Metro Manila,” explained Batin.
The DOT NCR chief said that tourist police are in demand, especially here in Metro Manila considering the number of tourist destinations in the National Capital Region (NCR).
“In demand po ang ating TOPCOP, sa dami po ng ating tourist destinations they are really asked by the local government and different agencies to be present and visible sa ating mga tourist attractions and destinations.”
A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) was signed between the DOT and the Philippine National Police regarding the training of tourist police.
According to the DOT, under the 2019 Integrated TOPCOP program, the tourism department will train police personnel on the basic principles of tourist safety and the Filipino brand of service. The modules also include lessons on tourism awareness.
“If any police station or district would want to have training for them, mag schedule kami (DOT) yearly,” said Batin.
The training sessions for the TOPCOP program are conducted by the Office of Industry Manpower Development (DOT-OIMD) and the DOT Regional Offices in collaboration with the PNP, and participating local government units (LGUs).
The weekly Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas is a nationwide, simultaneous weekly forum organized by the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and implemented by the Philippine Information Agency (PIA). (JEG/PIA-NCR)
