Gatchalian bill bats for lifeguards in all public swimming pools

While summer is approaching fast, Senator Win Gatchalian is pushing for his proposal to have at least one lifeguard in all public swimming pools.

Under Senate Bill No. 1142 or the Lifeguard Act of 2022, Gatchalian proposes that each public swimming pool shall employ at least one certified lifeguard, or an expert swimmer trained in lifesaving techniques, during the entire duration of a pool's operations. The proposed measure also provides that a pool operator shall hire one more lifeguard for every additional 250 square meters of pool area.

Citing data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the Department of Health (DOH) reported that between 2006 to 2013, an average of 3,276 deaths annually are due to accidental drowning and submersion. Between 1963 to 2003, 36.5% of all drowning deaths in the Philippines occurred among children under the age of 14.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says the drowning rate in a low- and middle-income country like the Philippines is six times higher than in high-income countries, with rates of 7.8% and 1.2%, respectively. Drowning is a public health challenge, Gatchalian said.

"Maaari nating maiwasan ang mga pagkamatay na dulot ng pagkalunod kung titiyakin nating ligtas at may lifeguard ang bawat public swimming pool sa bansa. Mahalagang maisabatas natin ito, lalo na't mga bata ang apat sa 10 namamatay dahil sa pagkalunod," said Gatchalian.

Gatchalian's proposal also identifies responsibilities of pool operators, local government units (LGU) and lifeguards themselves. A pool operator, for instance, shall provide the LGU with a certification and supporting documents to prove that the lifeguards are duly certified by any nationally recognized organization accredited by the DOH.

When the proposed measure is enacted into law, LGUs will be mandated to ensure the compliance of all public swimming pools through periodic local inspections coordinated by local health officers. LGUs cannot approve or renew a public pool's operating permit unless it has verified certifications and supporting documents required.

In the event of serious injury or death in a public swimming pool, the pool operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards shall be imprisoned for not more than six months and shall pay a fine of P200,000, without prejudice to other criminal, civil, or administrative liabilities.

The lifeguard on duty who fails to protect a person from injury or death because of gross negligence or imprudence shall be imprisoned for not more than one year and shall pay a fine of P200,000. On the other hand, LGU officials responsible for the inspection of public swimming schools shall be held administratively liable if they omit or neglect to fulfill their duty.

Lifeguard sa bawat pampublikong languyan isinusulong ni Gatchalian

Habang papalapit na naman ng panahon ng tag-init, muling itinutulak ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang kanyang panukalang magkaroon ng lifeguard sa lahat ng mga pampublikong swimming pool sa bansa.

Sa ilalim ng Senate Bill No. 1142 o ang Lifeguard Act of 2022, iminumungkahi ni Gatchalian ang pagkakaroon ng certified lifeguard, o isang eksperto sa paglalangoy na may kaalaman sa lifesaving techniques, bilang bahagi ng operasyon ng isang public swimming pool. Nakasaad din sa panukalang batas ang pagkakaroon ng karagdagang lifeguard sa bawat 250 square meters ng pool area na idinagdag.

Gamit ang datos ng Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), iniulat ng Department of Health (DOH) na umabot sa 3,276 mula 2006 hanggang 2013 ang average na bilang ng mga namamatay kada taon dahil sa aksidenteng pagkalunod at pagkalubog. Mula 1963 hanggang 2003, 36.5% ng mga namatay dahil sa pagkalunod ang wala pang 14 taong gulang.

Ayon sa World Health Organization, aabot sa 7.8% ang drowning rate sa mga low at middle-income country tulad ng Pilipinas, mas mataas sa 1.2% na naitala sa mga high income country. Giit pa ni Gatchalian, isang hamon sa pampublikong kalusugan ang pagkalunod.

"Maaari nating maiwasan ang pagkamatay na dulot ng pagkalunod kung titiyakin nating ligtas at may lifeguard ang bawat public swimming pool sa bansa. Mahalagang maisabatas natin ito, lalo na't mga bata ang apat sa 10 namamatay dahil sa pagkalunod," ani Gatchalian.

Nakasaad din sa kanyang panukala na ang responsibilidad ng mga pool operator, mga local government units (LGUs), at mga lifeguard mismo. Tungkulin ng pool operator, halimbawa, na bigyan ang LGU ng certification at mga supporting documents upang patunayan na ang lifeguard ay bahagi ng isang nationally recognized organization na may DOH accreditation.

Kung maisabatas ang naturang panukala, magiging mandato ng mga LGU na tiyaking sumusunod ang mga pampublikong languyan sa mga itinakdang pamantayan. Gagawin ito sa pamamagitan ng mga lokal na inspeksyong isasagawa ng mga local health officers. Hindi maaaring aprubahan o irenew ng isang LGU ang operating permit ng isang pampublikong pool hanggang hindi nito nakukumpima ang mga certification at mga supporting documents na kinakailangan.

Sakaling may mamatay o magkaroon ng matinding injury sa isang public swimming pool, makukulong nang hanggang anim na buwan at magmumulta ng P200,000 ang pool operator na hindi tiniyak ang pagkakaroon ng sapat na lifeguards. Maliban pa ito sa iba pang criminal, civil, o administrative liabilities na kanyang kakaharapin.

Maaari namang makulong nang hanggang isang taon at pagmumultahin ng P200,000 ang lifeguard on duty na bigong mapigilan ang injury o pagkamatay dahil sa kapabayaan at kawalan ng pag-iingat. Magkakaroon naman ng administrative liability ang mga opisyal ng LGU na responsable sa pag-inspect ng mga pampublikong swimming pool kung mapapatunayang hindi nila ginampanan ang kanilang mga tungkulin.