Monday, July 14, 2008 Lapu enacts ordinance regulating aqua sports
TO protect lives and its marine sanctuaries, Lapu-Lapu City enacted an ordinance that regulates aqua sports.
“We can not afford accident death amid joy and excitement of people watching a game enjoying a ride,” Vice Mayor Mario Amores said, justifying the approval of the ordinance by the City Council.
Aside from imposing fines, a violator’s sports equipment may also be seized.
Included in the the regulation are jet skis, para-sailing equipment and the banana boat. In an event, the race track should not exceed 500 meters from the shoreline and should not encroach into the buffer zone of the area’s marine sanctuaries.
The number of crafts owned by a company or individual is also limited. For a jet ski, it should not exceed four units, two for para-sailing and four for banana boats.
Banana boat
Operators of a craft should have binoculars, a two-way radio for para-sailing and banana boat, and a rescue vessel to ensure the user’s safety.
The aqua sports is not allowed in declared zones for floating platform or “paaji” in Marigondon, Punta Engano, Maribago and Barangay Agus.
The 100-meter distance from the shore is also declared a no-wake zone, thus, a minimal speed by any of the craft is required.
Amores said the ordinance gave the City Fisheries and Aquatic Resources Management Council (CFARMC) the authority to implement the regulation and the corresponding penalty.
For the first and second violation, the fine is P500 for the user and P1,000 for the owner, or the confiscation of the craft. The fine for the owner is increased to P2,500 and the cancellation of the mayor’s permit for the third offense. (AIV)
