BY GLENDA SOLOGASTOA
ILOILO City – Crimes and illegal drugs scare tourists and investors away. Authorities and communities should take preemptive measures.
Iloilo Business Club (IBC) executive director Lea Lara and Department of Tourism (DOT) Region 6 director Helen Catalbas shared this sentiment.
Lara viewed criminality and illegal drugs as unintended consequences of progress that must be addressed.
“This is a challenge to local government units and the police,” she said. “If there is a threat to peace and order, you cannot expect people to come here.”
Catalbas asked the Police Regional Office 6 to include tourists in its safety and security planning.
“If news about criminalities reaches the (tourism) market, we will have a hard time attracting tourists,” Catalbas warned.
Lara agreed with Catalbas that tourism, “one of the industries we are prioritizing”, may be adversely affected.
“The crime solution (efficiency) of our authorities should be high,” Lara said, and the business sector is willing to help.
She acknowledged that the police have logistical needs hampering their performance.
In fact, Lara said, just recently the police sent IBC a letter requesting support, specifically the provision of equipment.
“There is room for improvement. Even if we express frustration, it won’t help. It is really about taking a look at areas that need improvement and what can we do to help,” she said.
Lara also emphasized the importance of community participation in crime prevention./PN
