OLONGAPO TOURIST POLICE

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. along with Colonel Abelardo Villacorta, Head of Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) formally launched the tourist police of Olongapo composed of twenty-six (26) members during the Flag Raising Ceremony last August 19.

The tourist police group was organized through the coordination of OCPO, Taskforce Tourism headed by Kagawad Gina Perez, Disaster Management Office (DMO) and City Tourism Office.

During the launching, Colonel Villacorta encouraged the people of Olongapo to take part in maintaining peace and order in the city.

“Hindi lang tungkulin ng pulisya na panatilihin ang katahimikan ng Olongapo, may role rin na dapat gawin ang bawat Olongapeño,” Villacorta said.

The tourist police, composed of members from the Mobile Lead Group of OCPO from the different police stations of Olongapo.

With the used of mountain bikes given by Mayor Bong Gordon and First Lady Vice-Governor Anne Marie Gordon the tourist police will patrol the different tourist spots in Olongapo.

The tourist police members went through a two-day seminar before their deployment.

‘Customer Service’, ‘Communication Skills’, ‘Tour Guiding’, ‘History of Olongapo’ at ‘City Tourism Collaterals’ were some of the topics discussed during the seminar/workshop.

A rolling tour was also part of the two-day training.

Several outposts will be constructed beside the Olongapo City Mall, Ulo ng Apo and in Brgy. Barretto as offices of the tourist police.

“Ang programang tourist police ay nagsimula sa panahon ni Senator Richard Gordon noong siya ay Secretary ng Department of Tourism,” said Gina Perez of Taskforce Tourism.

“Iri-revived natin ito sa ating lungsod para mas lalo pang umunlad ang industriya ng turismo dito,” she added.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon, Jr. together with Councilor Gina Perez, Head of Taskforce Tourism, Colonel Abelardo Villacorta, Head of Olongapo Cito Police Office (OCPO) and the twenty-six (26) members of the tourist police during the launching of the group last August 19, 2008.
PAO/melai

TOURIST POLICE SEMINAR, HELD

To further strengthen and boost the tourism industry of the city, the City Tourism Office, in collaboration with the Olongapo City Police Office (OCPO) conducted a two-day ‘Tourist Police Seminar’ held on July 10 and 11 at the function room Olongapo City Convention Center. The seminar was participated in by twenty seven (27) of the elite policemen of the OCPO.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr., Vice Mayor Cynthia Cajudo, City Councilor Gina Perez, and OCPO Deputy Director Roderick D. Minong, who stood in for OCPO Director Abelardo Villacorta, graced the seminar with their presence.

The main objective of the seminar was to arm the policemen with vital information on how to strengthen peace and order in tourist zones and update their knowledge regarding the city and its tourism industry.

Councilor Perez, chair of the City Council Task Force on Tourism, facilitated the modules and workshops which included lectures on communication, customer service and information regarding the hotels, facilities and other amenities and places that tourists might want to know about.

The important facts about Olongapo City were also discussed including its history, the various awards the city has won, its best practices and all the important landmarks. This information will be essential when the policemen are assisting tourists who want to know the city better.

“Isang mahalagang industriya ng lungsod ang tourism. Lalo pa nating palakasin ang peace and order at pagpoprotekta ng mga turista at bigyan sila ng useful at vital information tungkol sa Olongapo. Dapat lagi tayong magalang kapag nakikitungo mga sa turista para mahikayat silang bumalik dito sa Olongapo!” Mayor Gordon said.

The seminar also aims to prepare the policemen who will be deployed at tourist police stations located in the major parts of the city frequented by tourists: Ramon Magsaysay Drive (RM Drive), Olongapo City Public Market, Ulo ng Apo Rotonda and Barangay Baretto.

Mayor James “Bong” Gordon while delivering his message to the participants of the Tourist Police Seminar held at the Olongapo City Convention Center (OCCC) on July 10 and 11.
PAO/Don