Authorities in Bacolod City have ensured the safety and security of English as Second Language (ESL) students from other Asian countries as more are expected to arrive in the coming months.
Ma. Teresa Manalili, city chief tourism operations officer, said on Tuesday, June 3, that the management of the Language Skills Learning Center (LSLC) sent a letter to the City Tourism Office requesting assistance in providing police visibility in areas frequented by foreign students.
“On the part of the city, we want to show that Bacolod is safe and ensure the safety and security of the foreign students while staying here,” Manalili said.
From June to August, the LSLC expects to accommodate about 260 ESL learners from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China.
Manalili said the LSLC, with its partner University of Saint La Salle (USLS), sought help in strengthening security measures in key areas, particularly La Salle Avenue, B.S. Aquino Drive, and 17th to 18th-Lacson Streets, in Barangay 5, where the language school is located.
On May 29, the City Tourism Office hosted a coordination meeting with the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) represented by Lt. Col. Joery Puerto, chief of the Community Affairs Division, and the staff of USLS-LSLC.
During the meeting, the BCPO committed to enhancing police visibility operations through regular patrols and the establishment of police assistance desks in designated areas, particularly at night.
“Bacolod City is generally peaceful. These efforts aim to provide a more secure and welcoming environment for international students during their stay in Bacolod,” Manalili said.
She added that BCPO would present a more detailed security plan in another meeting.
In a social media post, the USLS-LSLC said the coordination meeting aims to “further strengthen safety measures for the growing number of international students coming to study English” in the city.
“While Bacolod is already known for its peace and order, this collaboration ensures an even more secure and supportive environment for learners. A safe, welcoming city helps students thrive and positions Bacolod as a rising hub for global education,” it added.*PNA