Bacolod City: Authorities here 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.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ma. Teresa Manalili, city chief tourism operations officer, stated that the management of the Language Skills Learning Center (LSLC) requested assistance from the City Tourism Office to enhance police visibility in areas frequented by foreign students. The request aims to demonstrate that Bacolod is a secure place for international students.
The LSLC expects to accommodate approximately 260 ESL learners from South Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and China between June and August. Manalili noted that the LSLC, in partnership with the University of Saint La Salle (USLS), sought assistance in bolstering security measures in key areas such as La Salle Avenue, B.S. Aquino Drive, and 17th to 18th-Lacson Streets in Barangay 5, where the language school is situated.
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, along with the staff of USLS-LSLC. During the meeting, the BCPO committed to improving police visibility through regular patrols and establishing police assistance desks in designated areas, particularly at night.
Manalili emphasized that Bacolod City is generally peaceful and that these efforts aim to provide a more secure and welcoming environment for international students during their stay. She mentioned that the BCPO would present a more detailed security plan in a subsequent meeting.
In a social media post, the USLS-LSLC highlighted that the coordination meeting seeks to further strengthen safety measures for the increasing number of international students studying English in the city. The post noted that while Bacolod is already known for its peace and order, this collaboration ensures an even more secure and supportive environment for learners, thereby positioning Bacolod as an emerging hub for global education.
