BAGUIO CITY — The City Council recently approved Ordinance Number 51, series of 2023, which mandates the use of life vests for anyone riding watercrafts at Burnham Park Lake.

The new regulation, set to take effect on June 27, 2023, aims to enhance public safety and security in the area.

According to a statement released by the city information office on Friday, the ordinance specifies that both operators and passengers must wear life vests before boarding any watercraft rented out at the lake.

Refusal to comply with this requirement will result in denial of boarding.

Section 5 of the ordinance states, “Any operator or passenger who refuses to wear a life vest shall not be allowed to board the city watercraft. The passengers shall wear the life vest throughout the ride”.

The ordinance defines a life vest as a personal floatation device, lifejacket, or cork jacket designed to keep an individual afloat in the water during emergencies, serving as essential life-saving equipment.

Watercraft concessionaires and operators have the responsibility to provide properly fitting and well-maintained life vests for each passenger.

During the renewal of permits to operate watercraft, standard life vests will be inspected and registered.

To ensure compliance, the City Mayor’s Office, through the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD) and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO), will enforce the ordinance and have the authority to apprehend violators.

Penalties for non-compliance are set forth in the ordinance.

For the first offense, watercraft operators and concessionaires will face a fine of P1,000, followed by P1,500 for the second offense, and P2,500 for the third offense.

In certain cases, the city mayor may grant permission to convert imposed penalties to community service when deemed appropriate and applicable.

The proposed ordinance was initiated by Councilor Isabelo Cosalan, Jr., earlier in May and subsequently signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong on June 2, 2023.

The City Council believes that the implementation of this safety measure will significantly improve the overall safety of water-based recreational activities at Burnham Park Lake.

Read also: City Council enacts life vest regulation for boaters at Burnham Lake