NEWS

By Christine Cudis | Philippine News Agency | January 31, 2022 8:18PM

RECOVERY PHASE. Eyeing the influx of tourists when restrictions are lifted, the Davao City Police Office will open a new office for its Tourist Police Unit in March this year. It will be the second TPU building in the city after the one built at Roxas Avenue in front of Marco Polo Davao. (Perspective of TPU building courtesy of Generose Tecson)

DAVAO CITY – Even as the city continues to fight against the pandemic, the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) is keen on completing the new Tourist Police Unit (TPU) office located at the center of commerce, beside one of the popular shopping malls here along J.P. Laurel Avenue.

Capt. Raymundo Bacera, acting city TPU chief, told the Philippine News Agency on Monday that the construction of its building was initially eyed for completion in October 2021 but was reset several times due to changing coronavirus disease 2019 restrictions.

“It was pushed further because of the pandemic but we are looking at March 2022 as the new completion date,” he said.

Bacera added TPUs are being set up nationwide to ensure the safety of both foreign and domestic tourists.

It was established in 2010 following a memorandum of understanding between the Department of Tourism and the Philippine National Police.

Personnel under the TPU are tasked to enforce laws and ordinances relative to the protection of lives, properties, and environment in its area of responsibility; exercise the general power to arrest, detain, search and seize in accordance with existing laws; conduct regular patrol to ensure the safety and protection of both tourists and residents within his jurisdiction; coordinate with concerned police stations in monitoring and investigating all cases involving tourists, and take immediate appropriate action to resolve conflicts.

“Given the current situation, the TPU has been reactivated to hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the pandemic,” Bacera said.

The plan to complete the TPU building recommenced following a request from the city tourism office (CTO).

“The TPU needs [to be highly] visible, so it will be accessible and convenient for people visiting our city. At the same time, concerns will also be resolved as immediately as possible,” CTO chief Generose Tecson told PNA in a separate interview Monday noting that it is not the first of its kind in the city.

It will be the second TPU office in the city after the one established along Roxas Avenue in front of Marco Polo Davao.

Tecson cited that the new office will be equipped with a tourist assistance counter.

The project, which is implemented by the city engineer’s office, received an appropriation of PHP7.3 million.

Source: Philippine News Agency