The Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (DRRMO), in coordination with the local Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) station, is currently conducting a lifeguard training at the Visayan Maritime Academy (VMA) Global College, located at Sitio Aning in the city’s Barangay Pahanocoy.

The training is being conducted in accordance with a 2015 city ordinance that requires pool and resort owners to have certified lifeguards on duty.

Prior to the training, a meeting of 21 pool and resort owners from across Bacolod City took place, where they discussed specifications of the program.

According to PCG-Bacolod station commander, Lieutenant Senior Grade Jimmy Oliver Vingno, lifeguards must be below the age of 35; physically and mentally fit; and had previously underwent training in first aid, basic life support, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Last month, the local PCG threatened to close down beach resorts that did not have a lifeguards on duty.

Vingno noted, PCG personnel and auxiliary units in the province were ordered to conduct inspections of beach resorts every day throughout the summer vacation period./WDJ