PNP, DOT sign memorandum to enhance safety of tourists

September 2, 2019

The Philippine National Police ( PNP) and the Department of Tourism ( DOT) on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding to make tourists safer.

Police General Oscar Albayalde and Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat signed the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection ( Topcop) which was initially forged in 2011 to enhance security for tourists and tourist areas.

Through the memorandum, the PNP and DOT can develop and promote Topcop through related training and capacity-building in the regional and provincial levels and establish Tourist Police Assistance Desks (TPADs) in police stations of cities and municipalities identified by DOT as tourist destinations, said Albayalde.

Under the MOU the DOT shall conduct tourism-related training to police officers, collaborate with the PNP in identifying destinations, allow the PNP to access the department’s database on tourism information, develop and produce information to promote tourist safety, and conceptualize and organize the complementing activities and events under its mandate with coordination with the Department of Interior and Local Government, PNP and other stakeholders.

On the part of the PNP, they will conduct region-wide Topcop training, identify destination, set up 24-hour Tourist Police Assistance Centers (TPACs), establish TPADs and Tourist Police Outpost  with DOT; perform duties as patrollers, first responders, basic first aid assistance officers, tourism information officers and enforcers of peace; and conducts visit and inspections on tourist destination spots.

They shall also provide appropriate uniform for the Tourist Police and provide DOT a quarterly report on tourist-related incidents.

Under the Section 135 of Republic Act 9593 or the Tourism Act of 2009, the PNP shall establish a tourism security force to assist in maintaining peace and order within areas of high tourism traffic. Ella Dionisio/DMS