WITH the heat index hitting new highs and families going on beach outings, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian yesterday pushed anew for the passage of the proposed “Lifeguard Act” that will require public swimming pools and other similar facilities to employ lifeguards to prevent incidents of drowning.
Gatchalian has filed Senate Bill No. 1142 which seeks to require pool operators to hire at least one lifeguard certified by recognized organizations accredited by the Department of Health for each public swimming pool operated for commercial purposes or free of charge in hotels, inns, motels, condo buildings, clubhouses, and other public or residential settings other than a single-family home.
SBN 1142 also calls for the hiring of additional lifeguards for every excess area of 250 square meters.
Gatchalian, in a statement, said the purpose of the measure is to prevent deaths from drowning of people who go to these facilities especially during the summer season.
In 2022, the Philippine Statics Authority reported that 3,576 deaths in the country were due to drowning, with the highest cases happening during March (317 cases), April (391), and May (345).
The World Health Organization also reported that drowning is one of the top five leading causes of deaths among children aged one to 14.
The proposed measure mandates pool operators to provide local government units (LGUs) with copies of certifications and supporting documents to prove their engagement with the required number of lifeguards.
LGUs, on the other hand, shall ensure the compliance of all public swimming pools. They should also conduct periodic local inspections coordinated by Local Health Officers, or other personnel deemed fit for the assignment. They shall approve the permits of pool operators upon verification of certification and other supporting documents.
In the event of serious injury or death in a public swimming pool, pool operators who fail to employ the required number of lifeguards shall be imprisoned for not more than six months and fined a maximum amount of P200,000.
LGU officials shall also be held administratively liable when they neglect to fulfill their duties. Lifeguards on duty who fail to protect persons from serious injury or death because of gross negligence or imprudence shall be imprisoned for not more than one year. They shall also pay a fine of not more than P200,000.
