MORE than 100 policemen are set to train with the Department of Tourism (DOT) following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) last week between the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office (PPPO) and the provincial government for the creation of a Tourist Police Unit (TPU).

P/Col. Jeff Fanged, Pangasinan police director, said the MOU was necessary to establish the TPU in Pangasinan.

Currently, in Region 1, only Ilocos Norte has an operational TPU. Pangasinan will become the 21st province in the country to establish its own TPU.

P/Col. Fanged expressed gratitude that Governor Ramon Guico III’s administration facilitated the establishment of the TPU in Pangasinan which will call for TPU deployment, especially during Holy Week when tourists flock Western Pangasinan.

He aims to have a fully operational TPU in time for next year’s Holy Week observance.

Meanwhile, Governor Guico committed full support for the acquisition of necessary equipment for PTU’s operations.

TPU personnel will be deployed daily to specific tourist destinations, including San Fabian, Dagupan City, Binmaley, Lingayen, Alaminos City, Sual, Bolinao, Dasol, and Manaoag.

While Alaminos City has a functioning tourist police, they are not officially recognized as a TPU.

Fanged said TPU in Pangasinan will be a unit under the PPPO, and its members will be authorized to wear prescribed tourist police uniforms, such as short pants and riding bikes.

Policemen who are residents of the designated tourist areas will be given priority for deployment to foster a stronger sense of community relations. (Eva Visperas)

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