By Kathlene Joyce Ramones
SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union, Philippines. (PIA) — The Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 1, the La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO), and the Provincial Government of La Union signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 14 to establish a Tourist Police Unit aimed at promoting safety and security in the province’s tourism areas.
The initiative is anchored on Republic Act 9593 (Tourism Act of 2009), which promotes safe, secure, and sustainable tourism destinations across the country.
The partnership comes as La Union continues to attract many visitors each year, driven by its growing reputation as a leading tourism destination in Northern Luzon.
Under the agreement, the Tourist Police Unit will provide a visible police presence at key tourist sites to ensure peace and order while improving visitors’ overall experience.
Police Regional Office (PRO) 1 acting director, Police Brigadier General Jovencio Badua, Jr., said the unit’s creation reflects the shared responsibility of maintaining public safety amid the province’s tourism growth.
“As a holistic tourism destination in Northern Luzon, La Union continues to attract millions of visitors each year. With this growth comes our responsibility to maintain peace, order, and public safety,” Badua said.
He added that activating the Tourist Police Unit under the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (TOP COP) program would strengthen responsive and service-oriented policing in tourism areas.
DOT Region 1 Regional Director Benjamin ‘Bingo’ Manahan, Jr., meanwhile, emphasized that tourism development must go hand in hand with public safety.
“When travelers feel secure, communities prosper, businesses grow, jobs are created, and confidence in our region becomes stronger,” Manahan said.
The DOT vowed to continue working with local government units (LGUs), law enforcement agencies, and tourism stakeholders to promote safe and tourist-friendly destinations across the Ilocos and Pangasinan region.
The La Union Tourist Police Unit is also expected to serve as a model for tourism security initiatives nationwide once it is fully established. (CCMT/KJCR, PIA La Union)
