DOT, PNP sign deal to train cops nationwide

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Tourism and the Philippine National Police on Monday signed a memorandum of agreement to train more police personnel nationwide who would ensure the safety of tourists in the country.

Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo Puyat and PNP chief Oscar Albayalde pledged to conduct the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection program, or TOPCOP, a training for police nationwide, during the MOA signing at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Under the three-day 2019 Intergrated TOPCOP training, police personnel would study modules on tourism awareness, basic principles of tourist safety and the Filipino brand of service.

Puyat said the “Filipino brand of service” promotes the unique and genuine hospitality of Philippine citizens.

Tourist cops would also undergo “TOPCOP Workshop Interaction with the Local Tourism Stakeholders” that would be used to develop a local security action plan. This is to ensure better communication between police and local tourism stakeholders.

The DOT chief is pleased with the upcoming training of cops. She said the PNP’s commitment “to serve and protect” our citizens and foreign travelers are laudable.

“We’re happy to strengthen our partnership with the PNP to ensure the safety and security of international and domestic visitors in the country’s tourist destinations,” Puyat said.

“We look up to you inspired to fulfill our mandate of contributing more inclusive impact in the lives of our fellow Filipinos. With your help, we can be rest assured that we are not alone in sending a strong message to our visiting tourists that our country will continue and always will be a safe destination,” she added.

For his part, Albayalde welcomed DOT’s support and TOPCOP’s vision that would enhance police visibility in tourist destinations. The PNP is eyed to beef up its forces in tourist areas by designating assistance centers, setting up complaint desks and patrolling. 

“Let me mention that your national police is now on its journey of transformation, a significant part of which is the continuing enhancement and improvement of the skills, knowledge and work, attitudes of our police personnel,” Albayalde said.

“Along this line, we want to ensure that our police are highly trained, well-equipped and constantly prepared in performing their duties, especially in responding to crisis situation,” he added.

TOPCOP was launched in 2011 and has since trained at least 4,349 cops. This program is coordinated by the DOT Office of Industry Manpower Development and the DOT Regional Offices as well as the local government units.

This program would be implemented by all DOT and PNP regional offices throughout the country. — Rosette Adel