Mandaue to regulate bouncers

The Mandaue City government will be regulating the bouncers and event marshals working in the city.

The measure will be known as the "Bouncers and Event Marshals Ordinance," which was approved on first reading during the recent session of the City Council.

Vice Mayor Carlo Fortuna, the proponent of the ordinance, said its creation stemmed from the reports of the Mandaue City Police Office showing that customers, bouncers and even owners of entertainment joints are involved in incidents resulting to physical injuries.

"The government is serious in its effort to make the City safe for all people who comes to live or visits it," he said in his proposed ordinance.

In earlier reports, City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing had said that he was in talks with Fortuna on the creation of an ordinance regulating the bouncers and event marshals working in the city because of previous incidents.

City Councilors Nilo Seno, Carmelino Del Mar, Jr., and Raul Kevin Cabahug IV are Fortuna's co-proponents.

Since Mandaue City played hosts to major events like concerts, Fortuna finds that there is a need to ensure that bouncers or event marshals are properly trained to handle peace and order issues in their establishments.

No person shall be hired as bouncers and event marshals if they don't possess requirements including certificate or attendance of their training conducted by the Philippine National Police or from a duly-accredited training institution.

"There is a need to ensure that bouncers or event marshals are properly trained to handle peace and order issues in their establishments or events and shall possess qualifications to be allowed to perform the task, to ensure rights of the customers or clients or patrons are equally protected and safely tenured," reads the proposed ordinance.

Apart from the certificate of training, they should also get a police clearance, health clearance from City Health Office and a clearance from the National Bureau of Investigation.

If a bouncer or events marshal performs security functions similar to watchmen or security guard, the proposed ordinance suggests that they should secure a license in accordance with Republic Act no. 5487 or "An act to regulate the organization and operation of a private detective, watchmen and operation of private detective, watchmen or security guard agencies."

Prior to their application as bouncers and event marshals, they should be at least high school graduate, not less than 21 or more than 50 years of age and should be physically and mentally fit.

A fine of P5,000 or cancellation of business permit or events permit will be imposed on business establishments violating a provision of the ordinance.

"Any person who acts or performs or conducted himself or herself as bouncer or events marshal in violation of this ordinance shall be penalized with a fine of P1,000," reads the proposed ordinance.

A public hearing or consultation is scheduled on February 14, from 9 a.m. to 12 noon to tackle the proposed ordinance.