PH Senate passes 'Sandy's Act' mandating stricter safety protocols for child tourists

The Senate unanimously passed on third and final reading a bill requiring tourism establishments to enforce strict emergency preparedness protocols and mandate safety measures for children and visitors.

Senate Bill No. 1926, officially titled the “Child Tourist Safety Act” and popularly known as “Sandy’s Act,” was approved during Monday’s plenary session with 18 affirmative votes, zero negative votes, and no abstentions.

The legislation honours six-year-old Sandy Garrovillas, who died from a box jellyfish sting at a Palawan resort where immediate medical assistance and essential first-aid supplies were unavailable.

"Sandy’s Act ensures that a response to any emergency is both immediate and adequate by requiring certified staff to be on-site at all times. Being prepared can no longer be merely optional," said Sen. Risa Hontiveros, sponsor of the bill.

Broad Coverage and Local Government Mandate

The proposed law applies to all tourism facilities, attractions, and accommodations that host minors—including hotels, resorts, water parks, and surfing camps—regardless of their accreditation status.

For public beaches, natural parks, waterfalls, and other publicly managed destinations, primary responsibility for enforcement and safety oversight falls on the respective local government units (LGUs).

Under the bill, covered establishments must develop and implement a comprehensive Tourism Emergency and Risk Mitigation Plan. This framework must address potential hazards such as accidents, drowning, marine stings, animal bites, physical abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

Required Health Services and Lifeguards

Establishments will be required to maintain essential health and safety infrastructure, including:

• On-demand access to medical professionals

  
  

• Basic emergency medical equipment and critical supplies

  
  

• Standby transport arrangements to the nearest medical facility

  
  

• Staff members fully certified in standard first aid

Facilities featuring swimming pools or operating adjacent to open bodies of water must deploy a sufficient number of certified lifeguards during all operational hours. Additionally, emergency plans must integrate directly with local disaster risk reduction and management (LDRRM) frameworks to streamline coordination with local first responders, ambulance units, and hospitals.

Support for Small Businesses and Penalties for Negligence

To assist micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with compliance, the Department of Tourism—in coordination with partner agencies—will offer subsidized training programs in Basic Life Support, Standard First Aid, water safety, and lifeguarding skills.

The measure establishes regular inspection schedules and outlines graduated administrative penalties for non-compliance. Furthermore, covered establishments found negligent or failing to provide immediate first aid may be held financially liable for a minor’s hospital care in cases of injury, or burial expenses in cases resulting in death.

-Paraluman News