Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
AN ACT 
REQUIRING THE EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED LIFEGUARDS IN ALL 
PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING 
PENALTIES FOR VIOLATION THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
On December 23, 1975, Presidential Decree No. 856, otherwise known as 
the “Code on Sanitation of the Philippines”, was published. Chapter VIII of the 
said Code contains regulations for public swimming or bathing areas. In 
accordance with Section 52, the Department of Health (DOH) is responsible for 
enforcing the rules and regulations to ensure the following: 1) correct sanitary 
practices for individuals swimming or bathing to prevent the spread of 
communicable diseases; 2) correct sanitary procedures for staff working in those 
locations to maintain their adequate sanitation and cleanliness of accessories 
used by customers; 3) adequate qualified staff and rescue-related equipment 
available, and 4) presence of prominent signs warning of potential hazards, 
whether natural or man-made.  
  Pursuant to Chapter VII, Section 2.10 of the Implementing Rules and 
Regulations (IRR) of the Code of Sanitation by the DOH, “lifeguard” is defined as 
“an expert swimmer trained in lifesaving procedures employed at a public 
bathing place to safeguard bathers and to prevent drowning”. The IRR further 
provides that: 1) “A swimming pool or bathing place shall have an adequate 
number of lifeguards in constant attendance when in use.”; 2) “A competent 
lifeguard trained for lifesaving and artificial resuscitation shall always be present 
during all swimming periods.”; and 3) “Public bathing beaches and other public 
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natural bathing places shall have one or more lifeguards on duty during the 
bathing hours. He must be a holder of a nationally recognized lifesaving 
certificate.” It specifically requires that “There shall be an assigned lifeguard for 
every 100 bathers in a confined area with one (1) guard in a tower for every 90 
meters (300 feet) of beach plus one (1) guard in a boat for every 180 meters (600 
feet) in the swimming area.” Lastly, the IRR also states that it is the responsibility 
of the operator of public swimming or bathing places to “employ a competent and 
trained lifeguard who shall be on duty at all times when the swimming or bathing 
place is in operation.” 
The proposed “Lifeguard Act” seeks to provide legislation for the 
implementation of these rules and regulations to ensure the utmost safety of the 
public. The proposed measure includes both the requirements and guidelines, 
as well as penalties for violators of the same. 
This measure was reported by the Committee on Trade, Commerce and 
Entrepreneurship in the 18th Congress. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is earnestly 
sought. 
REP. PM VARGAS 
Fifth District, Quezon City 


Republic of the Philippines 
House of Representatives 
Quezon City, Metro Manila 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. _______ 
INTRODUCED BY REP. PM VARGAS 
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: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Lifeguard Act”. 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – For purposes of this Act, the following terms 
shall be defined as follows: 
a. Swimming pool refers to a tank or large structure that is filled with water
intended for educational, training, recreational, or competitive swimming
or diving and its adjunct bathing facilities, if any;
b. Public swimming pool refers to any swimming pool operated for public or
collective use, either for commercial purposes or free-of-charge, including,
but not limited to, pools operated in hotels, inns, motels, condominium
buildings and complexes, village clubhouses, and any other public setting,
or residential setting other than a single-family home;
c. Lifeguard refers to an expert swimmer trained in lifesaving techniques who
is employed by the pool operator to protect bathers and swimmers, prevent
drowning and related water injuries, and ensure orderly and safe use of
the swimming pool facilities;
d. Operator refers to the owner, manager, or administrator of the public
swimming pool.
SECTION 3. Lifeguard Requirement. – Each public swimming pool shall 
employ at least one (1) certified lifeguard during all hours of operation. In excess 
of every two hundred fifty (250) square meters of swimming pool, an additional 
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lifeguard shall be employed by the pool operator. Said lifeguard must be duly 
certified by any nationally-recognized organization accredited by the Department 
of Health (DOH), Philippine Coast Guard, or Technical Education and Skills 
Development Authority (TESDA). 
The pool operator shall provide the appropriate local government unit 
(LGU) with certification and supporting documents proving that he or she has 
hired and is currently employing the required number of certified lifeguards at 
his or her pool facilities based on the formula given in the preceding paragraph. 
SECTION 4. Role of the Local Government Units (LGUs). – The LGUs shall 
ensure the compliance of all public swimming pools with this Act through 
periodic local inspections, coordinated by the Local Health Officers, or other 
personnel as it may see fit to assign. The respective LGUs shall not approve or 
renew the operating permit of the pool operator unless it has verified the 
certification and supporting documents mentioned in the preceding Section of 
this Act.  
SECTION 5. Penal Provisions. – The following penalties shall be imposed on 
the following: 
a. A pool operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards as 
specified under Section 3 of this Act shall pay: 
i. 
First Offense: A fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (₱20,000.00) and the 
suspension of the facility’s operating permit for a period not 
exceeding sixty (60) days; 
ii. 
Second Offense: A fine of Fifty Thousand Pesos (₱50,000.00) and the 
suspension of the facility’s operating permit for a period not 
exceeding one hundred and twenty (120) days; and 
iii. 
Third Offense: A fine of One Hundred Thousand Pesos (₱100,000.00) 
and the renovation of the facility’s permit to operate. 
b. In the event of serious injury or death in a public swimming pool, the pool 
operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards under 
Section 3 of this Act shall be punished by imprisonment of not more than 
six (6) months and shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos 
(₱200,000.00). 
c. In cases mentioned in the immediately preceding paragraph, the LGU 
official responsible for the inspection of the public swimming pool shall be 
held administratively liable if caused by the LGU official’s omission or 
neglect to fulfill its duty. 
d. In the event of serious injury or death of any person in a swimming pool, 
the on-duty lifeguard who, through gross negligence or imprudence, fails 
to protect said person from injury or death shall be punished by 
imprisonment of not more than one (1) year and shall pay a fine of Two 
Hundred Thousand Pesos (₱200,000.00). The pool operator and the 
lifeguard shall be held jointly and solidarily liable for any damages and 
civil liabilities imposed as a result of the negligent or imprudent act. 


SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any part or provision of this Act shall be 
declared or held invalid or unconstitutional, other provisions hereof which are 
not affected thereby shall continue to be in full force and effect. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, 
executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule, or regulation 
contrary to, or inconsistent with, the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed, 
modified, or amended accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication either in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of 
general circulation in the Philippines. 
 
Approved,