Laoag City gov’t eyes integrated water safety policy

 

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas presents his measure on the establishment of integrated water safety policy in the city of Laoag, and which was later approved on its third and final reading. (Doms dela Cruz)

By Dominic B. dela Cruz, Staff reporter

Laoag City—To ensure safety in infrastructure, trained personnel, and public awareness mechanisms in the prevention of drowning and related incidents, the Laoag Sangguniang Panlungsod has approved a bill calling for the establishment of integrated water safety policy.

Laoag Vice Mayor and council presiding officer Rey Carlos Fariñas, who authored the measure, said that the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act No. 7160) empowers local government units to promote the general welfare, including the protection of life and public safety.

Record shows that drowning remains one of the leading causes of accidental death in the Philippines, particularly in coastal and recreational areas, and is preventable through the implementation of appropriate safety measures, public education, and regulatory oversight.

Since Laoag City is a home to numerous resorts, beaches, and water-based attractions that draw both local and international tourists, Fariñas said the necessity in the implementation of proactive water safety standards for the city.

The Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and other agencies have issued guidelines on water safety, lifeguard deployment, and emergency response protocols.

He noted that that it is indeed one of the responsibilities of the city government to ensure that all recreational water facilities within the city’s jurisdiction should not operate without sufficient safety infrastructure, trained personnel, and public awareness mechanisms to prevent drowning and related incidents.

The city shall actively promote drowning prevention and emergency mitigation through public education, infrastructure enhancement, and the strict implementation of safety regulations across all recreational water facilities.

According to the vice mayor, the measure applies to all private resorts, swimming pools, and other recreational water facilities operating within the territorial jurisdiction of Laoag City.

He said that all recreational water facilities are required to employ at least one certified lifeguard, who must be present within the pool areas during operational hours.

Lifeguards should possess valid certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and water rescue techniques, must have earned or willing to earn 21-day of the aforementioned trainings/seminars, thereby, conferring him the status of certified, professional, and accredited lifeguard, and a certification must be issued by recognized training-providers, institutions, and government agencies such as the Philippine Red Cross, Philippine Coastguard, and/or 505 Philippine Air Force.

All the mentioned facilities should also install clear and multilingual signage that include water depth indicators; hazard warnings; emergency contact information; and safety instructions and reminders

In addition, Fariñas likewise said that the city Government should also undertake the initiatives in the launching of seasonal water safety campaigns in coordination with the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), and Department of Education (DepEd), requiring all water recreational facilities to prominently display drowning prevention infographics and safety reminders and encourage schools and barangays to conduct community-based water safety seminars and training sessions.

The City Health Office (CHO), in coordination with the City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO), the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and barangay officials shall be responsible for monitoring compliance, conducting regular inspections and surprise inspections should also be conducted. Such offices shall report annually the foregoing

He said that a Laoag City Water Safety Council should also be established to oversee the implementation of this ordinance, recommend policy updates, and coordinate with relevant national agencies like the City Health Office, City Tourism Office, CDRRMO,  DepEd/HEIs, CENRO, Accredited resort operators and the Civil society organizations

In line with this, Fariñas said that there should be a conduct of trainings/seminars for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, and water rescue techniques for lifeguards and prospective lifeguards of recreational water facilities with funding.

He said that any establishment who violates this ordinance will be penalized PHP2,000 for the first offense with a written warning; PHP3,000 for the second offense and suspension of the swimming pool for one week; and, PHP5,000 for the third offense and will be recommended for closure of operations to the Office of the City Mayor.