THE Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (DRRMO) will be on full alert status for the feast of St. John the Baptist on June 24.

Dondon Parandas, officer-in-charge of DRRMO, said Wednesday, June 19, that several rescuers will be deployed to various beaches and shorelines in Bacolod.

He said they will inspect the beaches and resorts starting Thursday, June 20, to ensure the compliance of the hiring of lifeguards.

He added that since 2018, some beaches and resorts in Bacolod failed to hire lifeguards.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia earlier ordered the CDRRMO to enforce City Ordinance 749, requiring resort owners and similar businesses to hire certified lifeguards.

"They should hire lifeguards to ensure the safety of the beach goers, especially the children," Parandas said.

He said they will deploy rescuers in the shorelines of Barangays Banago and Punta Taytay.

"Residents are expected to celebrate the feast of St. John the Baptist in various resorts and rivers. We are all on full alert," he added.

Parandas noted that the rescue groups will also concentrate on the swimming areas with no lifeguards.

The DRRMO will also coordinate with barangay officials to monitor the rivers within their areas of jurisdiction.