THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is investing heavily in its bid to make the Philippines one of the safest countries in the world.
During the third Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA) Sales and Marketing Summit, Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla discussed the impact of government policies on the hospitality industry, especially amid the continued growth of Philippine tourism.
He said the administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. continues to work hard to ensure public safety while strengthening law enforcement institutions to support the tourism sector’s expansion.
“For the next few years, next few months, we’ve invested heavily to make the country one of the safest in the world,” said Remulla.
As part of the government’s initiative to strengthen public safety, he cited the ongoing revitalization of the unified 911 Emergency Hotline System, which is expected to be fully operational by July 2025 in select cities including Metro Manila, Davao, and Cebu.
Remulla also said the government is eyeing the installation of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras in strategic areas nationwide, with a target of placing one camera every 1,000 square meters.
Earlier, Remulla announced that the DILG would procure more patrol vehicles to support the Philippine National Police’s (PNP) efforts to improve mobility and visibility under its new 5-Minute Response Time Strategy, led by PNP Chief General Nicolas Torre III.
Meanwhile, the DILG chief emphasized the national government’s commitment and called for support from the hospitality sector as partners in uplifting the tourism industry.
“We have to work together. We are committed to making the Republic of the Philippines a better Philippines,” Remulla said. (TPM/SunStar Philippines)