Disaster plan for events with at least 100 participants

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak has proposed an ordinance requiring event organizers to submit emergency and disaster plan for events held in the city with at least 100 participants.

The proposed measure known as “The Emergency and Disaster Plan Requirement Ordinance” seeks to maintain the welfare of the constituents and guests in case of any calamity, whe-ther natural or man-made, that may happen during the conduct of the event.

“As the premier city of the south, it is expected that Cebu City will be the host to many events both local and international,” Tumulak said, adding that events having mammoth crowd would bring “lawless elements to perpetrate their evil intentions.”

Tumulak, chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, said that the city government is not only holding the responsibility of the safety of participants in an event, but also the event organizers.

“Likewise, people or entities who cause these people to gather in an event also assume responsibility for their safety and welfare during the entire period the event is held,” he added.

Tumulak said that the proposed measure will apply to all organizers of events held whether in a public or private place in the city.

Section 5 of the proposed ordinance takes up the requirements, “before securing a mayor’s permit for the holding of the intended event, any event organizer shall first submit an adequate emergency and disaster plan to the CCDRRMO.”

Tumulak said that CCDRRMO’s Research and Planning Officer will evaluate the “adequacy and competence” of the submitted plan and will make an endorsement to the Office of the Mayor for the issuance of the permit.

Section 8, however, provides exemption for “worship activities regularly conducted in a private venue by religious institutions, churches and organizations, and likewise school activities if held within the confines of the school campus.”

Tumulak, however, said that the exempted religious groups and educational institutions are still required to submit annually their respective disaster and emergency plan to the CCDRRMO for evaluation and coordination purposes.

During the recent regular session, the council’s committee on laws recommended to amend the penalties in the proposed ordinance. The City Council has invited representatives from the academe, event organizers, Philippine National Police, and the Office of Civil Defense to comment on the proposed measure during a public hearing scheduled on October 15. (FREEMAN)