Quezon town bars night swimming on Black Saturday, Easter Sunday

Quezon province map. INQUIRER FILES

LUCENA CITY — With the expected influx of picnickers on Black Saturday and Easter Sunday, the local government of the coastal town of Infanta in Quezon province declared curfew hours for swimmers in public waters.

Mayor Filipina Grace America in her Executive Order No. 9-2024 declared that swimming in public beaches, rivers, and waterfalls will not be allowed from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. the next day. The order was implemented on March 27, Holy Wednesday, and will last until March 31, Easter Sunday.

A copy of the order written in Filipino, was posted on the Facebook page of the local government.

READ: Over 200 died due to drowning from January to March — PNP

The order stated that owners of private swimming areas with government permits are also directed to comply and implement their own safety protocols, such as the designation of swimming hours, deployment of lifeguards and/or emergency responders/first aiders and placement of markers in swimming pools or buoys in the sea.

America noted that during Holy Week, many people visit their town for spiritual and recreational activities particularly swimming.

Infanta, facing the Pacific Ocean, is host to numerous resorts to cater to locals and out-of-town tourists.

READ: Drowning, a ‘serious public health issue,’ makes Holy Week break tragic for some

America explained that the condition of the seas and other bodies of water is unpredictable, making swimming at night dangerous.

The risk prompted the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (MDRRMC) to pass a resolution imposing curfew hours for swimming in public waters as a precaution for residents and visitors, especially the Holy Week tourists.

Violators will be slapped with corresponding punishments.