BAGUIO CITY – The City Council approved on first reading a proposed ordinance mandating all Burnham lake boating concessionaires, including owners and operators of public swimming pools and resorts and similar establishments in the city to employ lifeguards or personnel trained on the provision of emergency medical service and to provide lifeguarding equipment in their operation and providing penalties for violations and other purposes.
The ordinance authored by Councilor Leandro B. Yangot, Jr. stated the measure shall be applicable to all Burnham lake boating concessionaires, including owners and operators of public swimming pools or resorts, and other similar establishments that provide bathing and recreational facilities.
Under the ordinance, all Burnham Park boating concessionaires and swimming pool or resort owners are required to provide equipment for rescue such as craft, spinal boards; equipment for first responders such as saline solution, bandages, antiseptics, antihistamines, oxygen kits, splints, rescue blankets and first aid kits; sufficient signages in strategic areas that warn patrons or tourists of the hazards and danger posed; other instruments that would catch public attention such as, but not limited to, portable chair, watch tower, flags, whistles and the like and certification of employment of lifeguards who are responsible for an area of the resort which will serve as the requirements for the application or renewal of their business permits.
The City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO) shall issue a certificate of compliance with the prescribed requirements to serve as a basis for the issuance of business permits and notwithstanding the issuance of the said permits, the CDRRMO shall recommend to the City Permits and Licensing Office for the suspension of business permits of certain business establishments if after its investigation, the said establishments does not comply with any of the mandated requirements, but nevertheless, after compliance, the City Permits and Licensing Office shall renew the permit of the same business entity.
Among the prohibited acts include the non-employment of a certified lifeguard, allowing children below 11 years old without an adult companion and allowing swimming beyond 10 pm unless certified lifeguards are present and lightings are adequately provided for such purpose.
Violators of the proposed ordinance shall be fined P2,000 or an imprisonment from 5 to 10 days or both upon the discretion of the court for the first offense, P3,000 or and imprisonment of 11 to 15 days or both upon the discretion of the court for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 or an imprisonment of 16 to 30 days and cancellation of business permit of the operator for the third offense.
Yangot admitted drowning is one of the alleged causes of accidental death in children aside from road traffic accidents considering that children seem to have a fascination with water and swimming, acting recklessly while playing around the body of water, or taking an unnecessary risk without adult supervision may lead to absolute devastation.
If the accident is not fatal, he claimed the accidents in bodies of water could lead to severe and often permanent life-changing scars such as trauma that affect the overall development of the child.
By Dexter A. See
