Mandaue dad wants to see lifeguards in swim pools

CEBU, Philippines - Mandaue City Councilor Jimmy Lumapas wants all hotels, villages and subdivisions, leisure parks, and resorts in the city whose amenities include a swimming pool to employ lifeguards.

Lumapas, in a draft ordinance which he endorsed to the city council Wednesday, said the number of maritime disasters in the country has been alarming and has greatly contributed to the drowning statistics since the country is an archipelago.

He said most of those who are at risk of drowning are children and drowning is the second leading cause of death among Filipino children aged 14 and the fourth leading cause of death from injury in the Philippines according to United Nation Children’s Fund (UNCEF) survey.

A Department of Health report also stated that drowning among children occurred in swimming facilities where there are no lifeguards or where their adult companion does not have any background in basic life support and basic survival measures.

Lumapas said once his ordinance is approved by the city council all owners, managers, and operators of hotels, villages and subdivisions, leisure parks and resorts whose facilities include swimming pools or beaches are required to hire and provide trained and accredited lifeguards for public safety.

Any owner or operator who fails to adopt such safety measures shall be fined not less than P1,000 but not more than P5,000 or be imprisoned of not more than 45 days or both fine and imprisoment upon the discretion of the court.

Lumapas’ proposed ordinance was approved on first reading Wednesday and was referred to the committee on laws led by city councilor Nenita Ceniza-Layese. – (FREEMAN)