Draft law requires events organizers to be ready for emergencies
Organizers of major events in Cebu City may soon be required to submit a disaster and emergency plan should a a proposed ordinance endorsed in last Wednesday’s City Council session be enacted into law.
Councilor Sisnio Andales, who chairs the Committee on Laws, said they want to amend section 10 of the ordinance to keep it in conformity with the limits on penalties provided for in the Local Government Code.
He said a public hearing will also be held on the ordinance on Oct. 15.
The ordinance is authored by Councilor Dave Tumulak, who also presides over the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (CDRRMC).
Tumulak said public gatherings are “easy and favorite targets of lawless elements” and are also vulnerable to man-made and natural calamities.
Disaster Plan
“The safety of the crowd and participants is not only the responsibility of the host local government unit but the event organizers too,” Tumulak said.
The ordinance applies to organizers of events held in the city, whether in a public or private area and is attended by at least 100 persons.
Tumulak said organizers should first submit a disaster and emergency plan to the CDRRMC before they get a mayor’s permit.
The plan shall be evaluated by the CDRRMC’s research and planning officer and must be approved by the CDRRMC executive director.
Religious activities conducted regularly in private venues and school activities within the campus are exempted from the pre-event planning requirement.
The draft ordinance however, said these groups have to submit emergency plans annually.
Violators of the ordinance shall have their business permits suspended for six months and fined P10,000 for the first offense and P20,000 on second offense.
For the third and subsequent offenses, a P40,000 and imprisonment of six months and one day to a year at the court’s discretion was proposed.
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