Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT  
REQUIRING THE EMPLOYMENT OF QUALIFIED LIFEGUARDS IN ALL PUBLIC 
SWIMMING POOLS AND BATHING FACILITIES, AND PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR 
VIOLATION THEREOF 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
A study by the Philippine Statistics Office in 2013 showed that an average of 3,726 cases of 
accidental drowning and submersion occur annually in the Philippines. 40% of this number are 
children aged 14 and below. Considering the alarming number of people dying due to drowning, 
it is the State’s responsibility to reduce drowning mortality in the country by introducing and 
enhancing interventions on drowning prevention, especially in high-risk groups. 
In this regard, this proposed measure mandates establishments operating public swimming pools 
to employ at least one (1) certified lifeguard during all hours of operation. This proposed measure 
also enjoins local government units, through local health officers, to monitor the implementation 
of this measure and to ensure that establishments duly comply with the requirements set by this 
measure.  
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
September 9, 2022
4:04 pm
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. GUS S. TAMBUNTING 
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 of 2022". 
Sec. 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.
Sec. 3. Lifeguard Requirement. – Each public swimming pool shall employ at least one (1) 
certified lifeguard during all hours of operation. Over every two hundred fifty (250) square meters 
of swimming pool, an additional 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 
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number of certified lifeguards at his or her pool facilities based on the formula given in the 
preceding paragraph.  
Sec. 4. Role of the Local Government Unit. – 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 they 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. 
Sec. 5. Penal Provisions. – The following penalties shall be imposed: 
a) A pool operator who fails to employ the required number of lifeguards as specified under 
Sec. 3 of this Act shall pay: 
i. 
First Offense: A fine of Twenty Thousand Pesos (P20,000.00) 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 (PS0,000.00) 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 (Pl00,000.00) and the 
revocation 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 Sec. 3 of this Act shall be punished 
by imprisonment for not more than six (6) months and shall pay a fine of Two Hundred 
Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00). 
c) In the case 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 his or her omission or neglect to fulfill his or her 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 a said person from 
injury or death shall be punished by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year and 
shall pay a fine of Two Hundred Thousand Pesos (P200,000.00). The pool operator and 
the lifeguard shall be held jointly and solidarity liable for any damages and civil liabilities 
imposed as a result of the negligent or imprudent act. 
Sec. 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, 
the other provisions not affected thereby shall remain in full force and effect.  
Sec. 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, rules and 
regulations, and issuances or parts thereof that are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, 
are hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.  
Sec. 8. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official 
Gazette or at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation in the Philippines. 
Approved,