City Dad Proposes Ordinance Requiring Emergency Plans for Events

(PNA) — Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak has proposed an ordinance requiring event organizers to submit emergency and disaster plan for events held in the city with at least 100 participants.

The proposed measure known as “The Emergency and Disaster Plan Requirement Ordinance” seeks to maintain and protect the welfare of the constituents and guests in case of any calamity, whether natural or man-made, that may happen during the conduct of the event.

“As the premier city of the south, it is expected that Cebu City will be the host to many events both local and international,” Tumulak said.

He said events having mammoth crowd would bring “lawless elements to perpetrate their evil intentions.”

Tumulak, chairperson of the Cebu City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CCDRRMO), said the city government is not only holding the responsibility of the safety of participants in an event, but also the event organizers.

“People or entities who cause these people to gather in an event also assume responsibility for their safety and welfare during the entire period the event is held,” he said.

Tumulak said the proposed measure will apply to all organizers of events held whether in a public or private place in the city.

Section 5 of the proposed ordinance takes up the requirements, “before securing a mayor’s permit for the holding of the intended event, any event organizer shall first submit an adequate emergency and disaster plan to the CCDRRMO.”

Tumulak said CCDRRMO’s Research and Planning Officer will evaluate the “adequacy and competence” of the submitted plan and will make an endorsement to the Office of the Mayor for the issuance of the permit.

Section 8, however, provides exemption for “worship activities regularly conducted in a private venue by religious institutions, churches and organizations, and likewise school activities if held within the confines of the school campus.”

But Tumulak said the exempted religious groups and educational institutions are still required to submit annually their respective disaster and emergency plan to the CCDRRMO for evaluation and coordination purposes. (PNA) CTB/EB