At least two lifeguards now required for public pools

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Council has finally approved the proposed ordinance requiring all operators of public swimming pools, including those private pools that are intended for public use, to hire at least two lifeguards to quickly respond to emergency cases.

Councilor Richard “Ritchie” Osmeña successfully convinced his fellow city legislators to support his proposed legislative measure aimed at protecting the lives of people, particularly children, when they go to different swimming pools in Cebu City.

Osmeña recalled an incident where a child drowned after falling into the swimming pool of a prominent establishment in the city a few years ago where the court ordered its owners to pay damages to the child’s parents.

When the proposed legislative measure was presented during a public hearing at the Cebu City Council last June 20, 2012, none of the swimming pool operators in the city showed up to oppose the move.

Osmeña explained that the persons to be hired as lifeguards should already be trained in lifesaving techniques and is responsible for maintaining order at the swimming pool by preventing accidents.

The ordinance provides that the two lifeguards should always be near the swimming pool while the facility is being used by clients and they should always monitor the movements of the persons in the pool.

The lifeguards should be licensed and accredited by the Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC) or by any accredited training institutions.

Osmeña, however, explained that the ordinance does not apply to the owner of a private swimming pool that is only used by the family or by their guests.

Those who refuse to comply with the provisions of the ordinance shall be slapped with a penalty of a P5,000 fine or one year imprisonment, or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the court.    - THE FREEMAN