Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 30) — As the Philippines reopens its doors to more visitors, the Department of Tourism (DOT) has signed a partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strengthen security in all tourist spots in the country.
Under the Tourism Operation Protection Against Illegal Drugs (TOP-AID), the DOT, PDEA and PNP will cooperate and render assistance to ensure the security of tourists.
PDEA will deploy manpower to TOP-AID centers that will focus on drug-related concerns in tourist destinations. PDEA will also lead an information drive on Drug-Free Workplace Program and help the PNP and local governments in anti-illegal drugs operations.
TOP-AID is the latest partnership among the DOT, PDEA and PNP following the Tourism Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection, a program that provides additional security forces in areas with high tourism traffic.
“We welcome this latest collaboration with our country’s police force and drug enforcement agency in an aim to provide greater deterrence and protection against the illicit trafficking of dangerous drugs in tourist destinations,” Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo-Puyat said in a statement read by Tourism Development Planning Undersecretary Woodrow Maquiling Jr. during the signing ceremony held on March 14.
Maquiling was joined by PDEA Director-General Wilkins Villanueva and PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos.
