SAFETY and security is always the first and foremost priority in any hospitality establishments.

Davao's premier hotel, Marco Polo, recently acquired a baggage security scanner and Under Vehicle Inspection System (UVIS) as an addition to its heightened security measures for its guests.

Known for its careful planning on safety and security, the hotel has multiple levels of security to make sure to screen people especially those who intend to inflict danger or harm to others.

While prioritizing the safety and security of the establishment, Marco Polo Davao also makes sure that guests will feel at ease whenever they enter the premises. The hotel employs all various forms of security from metal detectors to security cameras, walk through and frisking.

"We invest not just money of our stakeholders to hire quality and well trained security personnel and equipment but we also have invested time to train everyone to be prepared in times of calamity or man-made disaster," said Marco Polo Davao's Director of Security Francis Suan.

"In fact, one of MPD's Labrador retriever named Tabasco, topped the Mindanao-wide K9 examination for 2016. Marco Polo Davao fire fighters are also trained in Advance Fire Fighting, First Aid and CPR," Suan added.

At the dawn of January 16, Marco Polo Davao conducted an emergency and evacuation drill where hotel Associates and in-house guests participated.

The drill was facilitated by MPD's Security Department using the Incident Command System (ICS) format and was evaluated by its local partner agencies such as the Office of the Civil Defense, Public Safety and Security Command Center, Central 911, Davao City Police Office, Philippine National Red Cross, Bureau of Fire Protection and Task Force Davao. ICS is also the emergency protocol of Davao City.

"Emergencies may happen anytime of the day especially when we least expect it. This drill aims to train our Associates to be prepared and respond to emergency situations any time of the day," said General Manager Dottie Wurgler-Cronin.

Marco Polo Davao has also undergone similar drill last December 2016. The hotel conducts at least 2 major drills aside from the regular training in firefighting, armed attack, basic first aid, and earthquake. (PR)