Davao City Public Safety and Security Office Head Angel Sumagaysay said that the city ensures submission of security and safety plans from organizers before they can hold events that gather a large number of people.
Sumagaysay said that the PSSO is in close coordination with event organizers for meetings incentives, conventions, and exhibitions (MICE) and the Business Bureau for the issuance of special permits related to events.
“Ang sistema nato diri before maka-avail og special mayor’s permit gina-require nato ang organizer ug security and safety plan. Nasulod didto unsa nga klase ang event, kanus-a, ang layout, entrance, and multiple exits as possible (Our system here is that before the special mayor’s permit is issued, we require the organizer to submit a security and safety plan. The details include the kind of event, when it will be held, the layout: the entrance and multiple exits as possible),” he said.
The organizers are required to present this to the Safety and Safety Assessment Team composed of the Davao City Police Office, Bureau of Fire, City Health Office, City Sports, and Development Division, City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), and Task Force Davao.
He said that the agencies concerned vary depending on the type of activity or event.
He added that it is during the assessment that they will check for marshals, medical personnel, and equipment to be provided by the organizer.
“Kung kulang wala nato ginahikawan nga idayon, idayon na siya, pero kining atong city assets diha nato isulod (If it is not enough we will not deprive the organizer and let them conduct the event, it will still be pursued this time our city assets will be added),” he said, adding that events have a significant impact in the city’s economic development.
”[Mag] Augment ta kay panginabuhi mani, kaning event organizing part ni siya sa atong economic development (We make augmentations because it is a form of livelihood, event organizing is part of our economic development),” he said.
Sumagaysay said that having enough personnel for events is the measure they do to avoid things such as what happened in South Korea, where many died due to stampede.
“If there is a need for the security cluster to stop an event then himoon na nila in coordination with the event organizer if makita nila nga delikado ang event (If there is a need for the security cluster to stop an event, they will do so in coordination with the event organizer, this if they will see that the event poses danger),” he added.
Sumagaysay said that it is only when the safety and security plan is approved that they will issue a certification that will be forwarded to the Business Bureau for the issuance of the permit.
The Safety and Security Team meets every Wednesday weekly at the Public Security and Safety Office to discuss and assess security and safety plans. CIO
