Councilor seeks lifeguards, safety signs in pools

• Source: http://panaynewsphilippines.com/2015/06/28/councilor-seeks-lifeguards-safety-signs-in-pools/
• Sunday, June 28, 2015

By MAE SINGUAY (PN)

BACOLOD City – A proposed ordinance requires resorts or hotels with swimming pools – or those near beaches – to employ lifeguards and put up safety signs.

Drowning is the fourth leading cause of death among Filipino children aged 14 years old and below, said Councilor El Cid Familiaran, citing data from the United Nations Children’s Fund.

The lifeguards must be trained on emergency rescue and skilled in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, said Familiaran, the ordinance proponent.

The signboards, on the other hand, must be displayed prominently so the public may be amply reminded to be cautious when swimming, he added.

Under the proposed ordinance, the Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office shall issue a certification of compliance to resorts or hotels.

The certificate will be the basis for the issuance of the business permit.

Violators of the ordinance will be fined P2,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense and P5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses.

The proposed ordinance is scheduled for final reading in the Sangguniang Panlungsod on July 1.