More than a month after a Cebuano medical student died in a parachute accident, the Provincial Board (PB) introduced an ordinance to regulate parachute and skydiving activities in the province.
PB Member Arleigh Sitoy’s “Parachuting or Skydiving Ordinance of 2011” was approved on first reading yesterday.
Sitoy said the proposed ordinance will allow the Capitol, Cebu’s component cities and towns to monitor operators to ensure the safety of the parachuting and skydiving enthusiasts.
As proposed, a formal notice has to be served by operators to the office of the component city or town on the location of the pre-identified drop zone.
A list of names of all persons involved in the actual jump should be given.
A valid certificate should also be presented confirming that the persons performing the jump were oriented or trained by a duly licensed professional skydiver or an instructor.
Skydiving or parachuting schools are expected to have a valid license or permit to operate.
The ordinance applies to all jumps except those sanctioned by the Armed Forces or made as a result of an in-flight emergency.
Violators will be fined P5,000 or suffer imprisonment of not more than one year.
Last Oct. 20, a 24-year-old Cebuano medical student of the University of Sto. Tomas fell to his death when his parachute malfunctioned during an exhibition held for the Ormoc City Charter Day celebration.
Louie Pestaño died after his parachute malfunctioned during a 3,500-foot jump at barangay Airport in Ormoc City, Leyte.
It was his first time to try skydiving.
Skydiving and air shows are supposed to be cleared by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP).
1st Lt. Til Andal of the Civil Military Operations division of the Philippine Air Force’s 560th Air Base Wing said skydivers and pilots must get prior clearance.
They have to get CAAP documentary requirements like a flight plan, certificates from a skydiving school, physical examination records and insurance. Correspondent Carmel Loise Matus