‘Oplan Ligtas’
WITH the onset of summer, more foreign and local tourists are expected to troop to beach resorts and other tourist destinations across the country.
That is why there’s a need for the authorities, particularly the Philippine National Police (PNP), to secure all the usual places of convergence.
They include transportation hubs, terminals, shopping malls, restaurants, movie houses, parks, other commercial areas, and places of worship.
Not only that. Likewise, the national police and local government units (LGUs) ought to secure all highways and roads leading to tourist spots.
Thus, it is heartening to know that the PNP, which is civilian in nature but national in scope, is deploying 34,000 policemen for the purpose.
The security preparation is part of “Oplan Ligtas Sumvac 2024,” which is aimed at ensuring the health, safety and welfare of tourists this summer.
“We are now in the final stage of our preparations for summer. In a few days, we will craft actually our ‘Oplan Sumvac.’ It’s just a matter of harmonizing,” said PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo.
Police Assistance Desks, manned by policemen and personnel from other government agencies, will be set up in various parts of the country.
We share the view of the authorities that the public should take part in the campaign to ensure the safety and well-being of tourists this summer.
This, if we want the tourist industry to remain a pillar of the economy, which is now on the way to recovery after the two-year COVID-19 pandemic.
