Senate Minority Leader Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday signed Senate Bill No. 1926, under Committee Report No. 39, endorsing the proposed “Child Tourist Safety Act” or “Sandy’s Act.”

The measure would require tourism establishments to implement mandatory emergency and risk mitigation plans to protect children and other tourists.

“There’s no better gift to people than the Lord’s gift of children. It is our duty to protect them wherever they are,” Cayetano said.

The bill was inspired by the tragic case of Sandy Garovillas, a young girl who died in October 2023 after a jellyfish sting at a resort. Sandy passed away without receiving proper medical attention, underscoring the urgent need for stronger safeguards for minors in tourism areas.

Sandy’s Act aims to prevent, mitigate, and respond to risks affecting minors while on vacation, enjoying leisure activities, or participating in tourism-related programs. The legislation emphasizes that children “require special attention” and protection from neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions that may harm their development.

Under the proposed law, all tourism-related establishments that accept minors—whether accredited or not—would be required to develop and implement a Tourism Emergency and Risk Mitigation Plan.

These plans must ensure children have adequate and age-appropriate access to medical and emergency services and protection from hazards such as marine dangers, drowning, abuse, exploitation, and trafficking.

Public tourism sites, including beaches, waterfalls, and natural parks, would be under the responsibility of the local government units concerned.

The bill also calls on key government agencies to jointly develop and maintain an annual Tourist Safety Risk Map, identifying areas with hazards and threats to tourists, particularly children.

Agencies involved in this initiative include the Department of Tourism, Department of Health, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Department of the Interior and Local Government, Council for the Welfare of Children, and the Philippine Statistics Authority.

-Paraluman News