Metro police gear up for opening of classes

From traffic flow to security, including traders trying to take advantage of students, the police will be on top of everything as schools open next week.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Director Leonardo Espina said that aside from providing security, he and his men would also coordinate with other government agencies to ensure the smooth resumption of classes.

Speaking after a visit to the Caloocan Police headquarters last week, Espina discussed three important components to watch out for as schools reopen:     security, traffic and the pricing of school supplies.

“First is the security. We will provide close-in security for schools and nearby areas, and set up police assistance desks for every school,” he said.

He added: “This is to secure the students and the school officials as well. But specifically, we also want to prevent crime in nearby areas.”  According to him, joint patrols by the police and local government units (LGUs) will also continue.

Second, Espina said that the police would also assist in maintaining the smooth flow of traffic in cooperation with the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and LGUs.

“We all know traffic is horrible on the first day of school so we will be assisting the MMDA and traffic enforcement groups of every city to help smoothen the flow of traffic, especially on highways and main roads going to schools,” he said.

Finally, the police will also focus on reports of overpricing of school supplies. Espina explained that the police would help monitor whether traders comply with the suggested retail prices set by the Department of Trade and Industry for school supplies to protect consumers.With a report from Marc Joseph Alejo