General security for Yuletide in place, assures DILG
by Jemin B. Guillermo
Roxas City (29 December) -- With the coming home of family members and other tourists from here and abroad to celebrate the Yuletide season, the government has created the "tourism police forces."
Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno recently asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) to assist in the ongoing Palace efforts to develop the Central Philippines into the country's tourism Super Region.
Puno said that the "tourism police forces" will safeguard tourist hubs, while the BFP will create special units to regularly check whether tourism establishments fully comply with fire safety laws and standards.
In Capiz, fire officials have conducted simultaneous inspections on all commercial establishments in order to ensure that these structures have adequate and fully functioning fire exits, fire alarms, smoke detectors and other fire safety equipment and facilities, Roxas City Fire Chief Pancho dela Cruz said.
He explained that these commercial establishments are the most-frequently visited areas this Yuletide season.
On the other hand, a Beach Patrol has been formed and assigned to ensure peace and order and security at Baybay Beach, which is one of the tourist spots of Capiz.
Region VI (Western Visayas) is one of those included in the Central Philippines Super Region. The other regions include Region V, VII, and VIII, and the provinces of Romblon, Palawan, and Camiguin, and the Island of Siargao; Agribusiness Mindanao, composed of Regions IX, X except Camiguin, XI, XII, Caraga except Siargao, and the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao; and the Cyber Corridor, which traverses the super regions from Baguio to Cebu to Davao.
Under President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's super regions development themes, the Central Philippines will focus on tourism; Northern Luzon Agribusiness Quadrangle on agribusiness; Luzon Urban Beltway on globally competitive industrial and service centers; Agribusiness Mindanao on agribusiness; and the Cyber Corridor on information and communications technology and the knowledge economy. (PIA) [top]