DAVAO ORIENTAL — Thirty-four (34) police officers from seven (7) local government units of Davao Oriental are now certified tourist police after completing their 7-day training on Tourism-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP).
The police officers received their certificates at the graduation ceremony held on October 14 at the Provincial Tourism Annex, Mati City.
The program, which was made possible through the partnership between the Davao Oriental Provincial Police Office (DOPPO) in coordination with the Department of Tourism XI and the provincial government of Davao Oriental through its Provincial Tourism Office, aims to provide a safe and secure environment for tourists.
“The program is part of our continued efforts in making better our tourism industry in the new normal,” said Provincial Tourism Officer Miguel Trocio.
The new graduates comprise the second batch of police officers who underwent the intensive capacity training for tourism regulation. As tourist police, they are tasked to maintain peace and order while ensuring the safety of tourists and tourism establishments.
Davao Oriental Police Provincial Office Provincial Director Police Colonel Joselito Loriza challenged the new graduates to do their best in safeguarding the peace and order and the safety of tourists. “Let us make Davao Oriental a safe destination and haven for everyone,” he said.
Ms. Queen Mae Reyes-Regalado, Executive Assistant to the Mayor of the municipality of Governor Generoso, stressed the relevance of safety in order to boost the flourishing tourism and livelihood opportunities from which people can benefit from.
Mayor Justina B. Yu of the municipality of San Isidro encouraged the tourist police officers to give their best effort to protect the peace and beauty of the province.
Governor Nelson L. Dayanghirang, who graced the ceremony, also shared his insights with the new graduates. He underlined peace and order as one of the most essential components to boost the local economy by attracting investors and tourists to come, invest, and visit the province — the reason why his administration puts a premium on peace and order.
Aside from peace and order, he added the importance of taking care of the environment as tourism also depends on a healthy environment.“Kailangan nating pangalagaan rin ang environment natin. Dahil kung hindi natin aalagaan ang ating environment, magiging temporary lamang itong tourism natin,” he elaborated.
Also present in the ceremony were representatives from PNP Regional Office, Department of Tourism XI, and DOPPO. | By Shaye Dacles, Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
