Provincial Board eyes inspection of resorts, hotels

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Provincial Board wants inspection of all beach resorts and hotels in the province to see whether they strictly implement safety measures for the public during summer.

A resolution was passed by the PB urging the Department of Health to conduct an information campaign about the safety of resort-goers.

Board Member Juan Bolo said the DOH and other law enforcement agencies should inspect beach resorts and hotels if they have life-saving equipment and other safety precautions.

The resolution said drowning is now the second leading cause of death for children age one to 14 years old, surpassing serious diseases such as tuberculosis, meningitis, cancer and diarrhea.

Bolo cited the study that looked at the incidence of drowning among Filipino children over the last 40 years.

The study conducted by Safe Kids Philippines, Philippine Life Saving Society and the DOH, tagged drowning as a “silent killer” based on data from the government and World Health Organization.

Bolo said that the study also revealed that almost 2,000 Filipino children die each year from drowning. Of this number, more than a third or 35.6 percent are between under a year old and 14 years of age.

The study said that boys were twice more likely to drown compared to girls. It added that for 40 years, drowning rates have remained largely unchanged. – Jose P. Sollano/LPM    (FREEMAN NEWS)