City requires use of life vest when boat riding in Burnham Park Lake

The City Council passed Ordinance Number 51, series of 2023 requiring the use of life vests when riding watercrafts at Burnham Park Lake effective June 27, 2023.

All operators and passengers are required to use life vests before boarding watercrafts rented out at the lake for public safety and security.

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

Life vest was defined in the ordinance as a personal floatation device, lifejacket or cork jacket designed to keep an individual afloat in the water in the event of an emergency and is considered life-saving equipment.

Watercraft concessionaires and operators are required to provide life vests for each of their passengers and shall ensure that the life vests fit well and are in good condition.

Standard life vests shall be inspected and be registered during the renewal of permit to operate watercraft.

The City Mayor’s Office through the Public Order and Safety Division (POSD), and the City Environment and Parks Management Office (CEPMO) shall enforce the ordinance and are authorized to apprehend violators.

Failure of the watercraft operator and the concessionaire to comply with the ordinance will be penalized with P1,000 for the first offense; P1,500 for the second offense and P2,500 for the third offense.

The city mayor may allow the conversion of penalties imposed under the said ordinance to community service, where it is deemed appropriate and applicable.

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