Law on Public Safety and Security approved

THE Public Safety and Security Ordinance of Davao City was passed on third and final reading Tuesday, February 19.

Davao City Councilor Maria Belen Acosta, chairperson of the committee on peace and public safety, told reporters before the regular session at Sangguniang Panlungsod Tuesday that the ordinance aims to inform the public inside establishments, especially in enclosed areas, about security protocols, emergency or disaster to ensure public safety.

The ordinance will cover establishment with a total floor area of the building of at least 2,790 square meters which were identified as assembly establishments such as cinemas or land, air or underground terminals, educational establishments (schools and learning centers), medical establishment such as hospitals and commercial establishments like malls, supermarkets and department stores.

"Tagaan sila og basic nga information kung unsa tong mga basic protocols but it will not hinder them from saying their own piece about their own security protocol kay usahay lahi pud ang protocol sa kada establishment for example kung hotel lahi pud ang ilang emergency exits kung convention centers lahi pud (Every establishment should be given basic information about basic protocol but it’s up to the establishments how to announce different emergency exits)," she said.

She added that establishments will be given the freedom to disseminate announcement in their buildings.

Establishments covered under the ordinance shall announce emergency safety, security protocol of establishment through public address systems, speakers or other audio visual means.

The protocols shall be announced at least three times throughout the operational hours of the establishment.

A non-compliant establishment shall be fined P3,000 on first offense and P 5,000 and/or imprisonment of three months at the discretion of the court on second offense. On third offense, violator will be fined P5,000 and/or imprisonment of six months at the discretion of the court.

The ordinance was proposed in relation to a letter from operations and coordination officer retired police superintendent Angel Sumagaysay on January 22, 2018 to establish an ordinance that will require establishments in Davao City to install a mandatory public safety and security announcement system.