NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session
)
SENATE
s. NO. 2157
^euair
o( t!jir
23 MAY-9 A10 37
RECEiVhO e V
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED LIFEGUARDS IN ALL PUBLIC 
SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF
EXPLANATORY NOTE
There were 72 deaths due to drowning reported and recorded nationwide by 
the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the recent Holy Week. In a separate report by 
the Philippine Coast Guard, a total of 78 drowning and near-drowning incidents 
occurred during the Holy Week from April 2 to 10. Of which, 53 individuals were saved 
from drowning by first responders, 21 persons died from drowning and 4 are missing.
Presidential Decree No. 856, or the "Code on Sanitation of the Philippines" was 
promulgated on December 23, 1975. Chapter VIII of the said Code provides for 
guidelines for public swimming or bathing places. Section 52 mandates the 
Department of Health (DOH) to protect the health and safety of persons who use 
public swimming or bathing places by promulgating rules and regulations concerning: 
1) correct sanitary practices for persons swimming or bathing to prevent the 
transmission of communicable diseases; 2) correct sanitary procedures for personnel 
working in those places to maintain their adequate sanitation and cleanliness of 
accessories used by customers; 3) adequate number of trained personnel and 
necessary equipment needed for lifesaving and rescue work; and 4) post conspicuous 
signs to warn the public of the presence of artificial or natural hazards. Pursuant to


the Code of Sanitation, the DOH issued on January 30, 1998 the Implementing Rules 
and Regulations (IRR) of Chapter VIII of the Code on Sanitation of the Philippines.
The Lifeguard Act of2023’ seeks to provide legislation for the implementation 
of these rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the public. It defines the 
requirements and guidelines, and provides for penalties for violators.
This measure was reported out by the Committee on Trade, Commerce and 
Entrepreneurship in the 18th Congress.
In view of ensuring the safety of the public, the passage of this measure is 
highly recommended.
revilla, jr.


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
)
First Regular Session 
)
SENATE
s. No. 2157
^cntiix
23 MAY-9 A10 ‘37
Introduced by SENATOR RAMON BONG REVILLA, JR.
AN ACT
REQUIRING THE EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED LIFEGUARDS IN ALL PUBLIC 
SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled:
1 
Section 1. Short Tide. - This Act shall be known as the''Lifeguard Act of2023'.
2 
Sec. 2. Definition of Terms. - For purposes of this Act, the following terms
3 
shall be defined as follows:
4 
a. Swimming pool refers to a tank or large structure that Is filled with water
5 
Intended for educational, training, recreational, or competitive swimming or
6 
diving and Its adjunct bathing facilities, if any;
7 
b. Public swimming pool refers to any swimming pool operated for public or
8 
collective use, either for commercial purposes or free-of-charge. Including, but
9 
not limited to, pools operated in hotels. Inns, motels, condominium buildings
10 
and complexes, village clubhouses, and any other public setting, or residential
11 
setting other than a single-family home;
12 
c. Lifeguard refers to an expert swimmer trained in lifesaving techniques who is
13 
employed by the pool operator to protect bathers and swimmers, prevent
14 
drowning and related water injuries, and ensure orderly and safe use of the
15 
swimming pool facilities;
16 
d. Operatorrefers to the owner, manager, or administrator of the public swimming
17 
pool.


1 
Sec. 3. Lifeguard Requirement - Each public swimming pool shall employ at
2 
least one (1) certified lifeguard during all hours of operation. In excess of every two
3 
hundred fifty (250) square meters of swimming pool, an additional lifeguard shall be
4 
employed by the pool operator. Said lifeguard must be duly certified by any nationally-
5 
recognized organization accredited by the Department of Health (DOH), Philippine
6 
Coast Guard or Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).
7 
The pool operator shall provide the appropriate local government unit (LGU)
8 
with a certification and supporting documents proving that he or she has hired and Is
9 
currently employing the required number of certified lifeguards at his or her pool
10 
facilities based on the formula given in the preceding paragraph.
11 
Sec. 4. Roie of the Locai Government Units (LGUs). - The LGUs shall ensure
12 
the compliance of all public swimming pools with this Act through periodic local
13 
inspections, coordinated by the Local Health Officers, or other personnel as it may see
14 
fit to assign. The respective LGUs shall not approve or renew the operating permit of
15 
the pool operator unless It has verified the certification and supporting documents
16 
mentioned in the preceding Section of this Act.
17 
Sec. 5. Penai Provisions. - The following penalties shall be imposed on the
18 
following:
19 
a. A pool operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards as
20 
specified under Section 3 of this Act shall pay:
21 
i. First Offense: A fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) and the
22 
suspension of the facility's operating permit for a period not exceeding
23 
sixty (60) days;
24 
ii. Second Offense: A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (P50,000.00) and the
25 
suspension of the facility's operating permit for a period not exceeding
26 
one hundred and twenty (120) days; and
27 
Hi. Third Offense: A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (P100,000.00)
28 
and the revocation of the facility's permit to operate.
29 
b. In the event of serious injury or death in a public swimming pool, the pool
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operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards under Section
31 
3 of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than six (6) months
32 
and shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00).


1 
c. In cases mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph, the LGU official
2 
responsible for the inspection of the public swimming pool shall be held
3 
administratively liable If caused by the LGU officiars omission or neglect to fulfill
4 
Its duty.
5 
d. In the event of serious injury or death of any person In a swimming pool, the
6 
on-duty lifeguard who, through gross negligence or imprudence, fails to protect
7 
said person from injury or death shall be punished by imprisonment of not more
8 
than one (1) year and shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos
9 
(P200,000.00). The pool operator and the lifeguard shall be held jointly and
10 
solidarily liable for any damages and civil liabilities imposed as a result of the
11 
negligent or imprudent act.
12 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. - If any part or provision of this Act shall be
13 
declared or held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are not
14 
affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect.
15 
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. - Any law, presidential decree or Issuance, executive
16 
order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation contrary to, or
17 
Inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, modified, or amended
18 
accordingly.
19 
Sec. 8. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
20 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general
21 
circulation in the Philippines.
Approved,