Tulfo hits nonclosure of Subic resort where child died: ‘I want it shut down’
A beach in Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales (Photo by JOANNA ROSE AGLIBOT)
MANILA, Philippines — Senator Raffy Tulfo on Thursday said he wants the closure of All Hands Beach resort in Olongapo City in Zambales following a child’s death.
The child died after being stung by a jellyfish while swimming in the resort.
In June 2024, five-year-old Kiera Maningding was swimming at the shore when she was bitten by a jellyfish.
She received first aid and was brought to a hospital where she got intubated.
Later, however, Kierra died due to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction.
Kierra’s death was discussed during the hearing of the Senate panel on women and children on the Senate Bill No. 2971 or the Child Tourism Safety Act.
The bill seeks to “prevent, mitigate and respond to risks affecting children and other visitors to Philippine tourist destinations” by providing immediate and sufficient medical and emergency responses.
The proposed measure was authored by Senator Risa Hontiveros,
During the hearing, Tulfo asked Tourism Undersecretary Maria Rica Bueno why the resort has not been shut down nearly a year after the tragedy.
Bueno replied that the resort is not accredited by the Department of Tourism (DOT).
Nevertheless, the DOT had supposedly referred the case to the local government unit (LGU).
She said the LGU is the one that has jurisdiction on the resort.
“I want it shut down kasi insulto pag may namatay na bata… We didn’t do so much!” Tulfo lamented.
(I want it shut down because it is an insult if a child dies… We didn’t do so much!)
Bueno mentioned that the DOT, the LGU and the Department of Interior and Local Government are working on the case.
But for the lawmaker, this response did not amount to anything.
“Never siya nasuspinde eh! Kanino ba siya malakas? Gusto ko, mas matutuwa siguro yung marami, kung siya ay napasara,” Tulfo stressed.
(It was never suspended. What kind of upper hand does the resort have? I want, and more people will be glad, if it is shut down.)
Senator Risa Hontiveros and Tulfo then asked the DOT officials about their initial findings and the status of the resort’s operation.
READ: PH ‘Ground Zero’ for lethal jellyfish stings, says expert
DOT Office of Tourism Standards and Regulations Director Virgilio Maguigad said their regional director recommended to Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority and the LGU the closure of the particular resort.
“But as mentioned by Usec. Rica, it is not accredited by the DOT currently. But since it is still within the tourism industry, we try our best to get a hold of the establishment,” Maguigad claimed.
Tulfo remained firm with his order to shut the resort down.
He told Maguidad: “Show them that nobody is above the law. Kung sino man ang kuneskyon niya, hindi pwedeng umubra dito!”
(Whoever the owners are connected with, that will not work here.)
Atty. Angelo Gonzalo Lavarias, representing the Department of Interior Local and Government (DILG), said his agency’s regional office has not given any update on the case.
He said the DILG find out with the LGU if the resort’s business permit has been revoked.
READ: Child dies after jellyfish sting at Subic beach resort
In a letter read before the committee, Kierra’s mother Jahaziel expressed her “full support” of the passage of the bill.
She also stated that her child’s death is a result of the resort’s negligence.
Her statement comes amid reports of previous similar incidents.
She pointed out the lack of warning signs, life guards, emergency protocols and trained medical authorities in the resort.
She also criticized the kind of medical service provided to them at the hospital.
“To this day, my family and I continue to seek justice for my daughter,” Jahaziel said in the letter.
“No parent should have to experience the pain and trauma of losing a child due to neglect and incompetence,” Kiera’s mother said.
