LAOAG CITY— The Department of Tourism – Region 1 (DOT-R1), in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP) here, conducted a two-day training to some 50 policemen who would act as tourist guides and will eventually be called Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOPCOP) in Laoag City to keep guests and tourists safe and make their stay in the country enjoyable. The TOPCOP was piloted in Ilocos Norte to provide necessary assistance and reassure the security and safety of visitors, both local and foreign guests, coming in the province to witness the tourism pride of Laoag City. Among the components of the training include the review of police response procedures, tourist profiles, overview on tourism and child protection laws which were discussed by officers who are expert in the field.
Effective customer service with values formation was also discussed by Master trainor Julius Judalena, a DOT accredited speaker, while PSupt. Christian Haveria presented the role and mission of TOPCOP. The DOT project is envisioned to create a favorable image of the country as a safe place and make tourism incomes contribute to socio-economic benefits especially after a Memorandum of Understanding was signed in 2010 by the DOT and the PNP, represented then by Secretary Alberto Lim and General Raul Bacalzo respectively. (Miriaflor B. Rimando)
