InterAksyon.com
The online news portal of TV5
MANILA, Philippines - The National Police Commission ordered the creation of 25 more tourist police units across the country to ensure the safety of both local and foreign tourists as the Department of Tourism unveiled its new campaign slogan, "It's More Fun in the Philippines."
The Napolcom, in a resolution, identified the places where the new units will be created as: Ilocos Norte, Cagayan, Cavite, Laguna, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan, Oriental Mindoro, Camarines Sur, Aklan, Cebu City, Cebu province, Negros Oriental, Tacloban City, Camiguin, Cagayan De Oro, Davao City, General Santos City, Surigao del Norte, Baguio City, Manila, Quezon City, the Eastern Police District, Northern Police District and Southern Police District in Metro Manila.
Aside from the police units, Tourist Assistance Centers will also be set up near international and domestic airports, major seaports and tourist destinations. The TACs will provide services such as call centers, information, fielding lost and found inquiries and complaints, paging systems, and agency coordination.
Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo said the creation of the tourist police units is in line with Republic Act No. 9593 or the "The Tourism Act of 2009."
In 2010, 14 tourist police units were created in 2010 through an agreement between the DOT and the Philippine National Police.
Robredo said the existing Boracay Special Tourist Protection Office will be restructured and renamed the "Boracay Tourist Assistance Center" and placed under the administrative supervision and operational control of the Aklan Police Provincial Office Tourist Police Unit.
The Bohol Tourist Police Unit shall also be retained but undergo restructuring.
