DILG creates task force on safety of amusement parks

Following several accidents involving carnival rides, Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno ordered yesterday the creation of a task force to look into the safety of amusement parks nationwide and their compliance with fire prevention standards.

Puno said the creation of a task force was in line with the directive of President Arroyo to ensure that all parks and carnivals offering rides are fully complying with public safety measures and fire safety standards.

"Upon the President’s orders, this task force was formed to avoid a repeat of the unfortunate incident that happened in one of the theme parks in Pasay City recently," Puno said.

The DILG secretary was referring to the case of a teenage girl who died on the "Wild River" ride at Star City park in Pasay a few weeks ago.

Puno said the task force will be headed by DILG Undersecretary for Public Safety Marius Corpus and will include representatives from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP). Members will coordinate with building officials of the local government unit in inspecting amusement parks.

Puno said the DILG will step up its inspections of rides, more so now with the anticipated increase in the number of people patronizing parks and carnivals as the holiday season nears.

According to Corpus, the task force will include Chief Superintendent Enrique Linsangan, BFP deputy chief of operations, and Deputy Director General Isidro Lapena, PNP deputy chief for operations.

Corpus said the task force will coordinate with the building official assigned to each city and municipality to ensure that all parks have put in place adequate safety measures and have fully complied with building, licensing and fire safety regulations inside their premises.

He said the task force will also look into the crowd control measures being implemented at all amusement parks in the country.