Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his call to require lifeguards in all public swimming schools and bathing facilities following a sharp rise in drowning incidents nationwide.
Citing Philippine National Police data, Gatchalian noted 59 drowning cases were recorded from March 29 to April 5, a 136% jump from the previous week, with several victims involving children, including two students in Bataan and a five-year-old girl in Negros Occidental.
“Nakakalungkot na may mga kabataan tayong binawian ng buhay dahil sa pagkalunod… maaari sana nating maiwasan kung sapat ang mga hakbang na ginagawa natin upang tiyakin ang kaligtasan nila,” he said, stressing the need for stronger safety measures.
The senator is pushing anew his Lifeguard Act (Senate Bill No. 1517), which seeks to require public swimming facilities to have at least one certified lifeguard on duty during operating hours to prevent similar tragedies.IMT
