Solon seeks House probe after three Boy Scouts were electrocuted in Zamboanga
A Mindanao lawmaker is seeking a probe by the House of Representatives’ public order and safety panel into the Zamboanga City Jamboree incident last December 12 where three senior boy scouts died from electrocution and ten others were injured.
Zamboanga City Rep. Khymer Adan Olaso filed House Resolution No. 2136 calling for a congressional inquiry and urging stronger safety inspection protocols in all public venues nationwide.
Olaso noted that the incident at the Boy Scout Camp in Abong-Abong Freedom Park occurred during the opening of the Zamboanga City Jamboree. The tip of a large canopy tent being moved by boy scouts touched a live wire owned by the Zamboanga City Electric Cooperative. Three boy scouts were killed and 10 others were injured as a result of the incident.
Read: 3 Boy Scouts electrocuted in Zamboanga City jamboree
“Initial findings raise concerns regarding potential lapses in safety protocols, risk assessments, electrical infrastructure maintenance, and venue inspection by relevant authorities and stakeholders,” the lawmaker pointed out.
He also highlighted the role of the Bureau of Fire Protection, local government units and electric cooperatives in ensuring public safety by “conducting venue inspections, fire safety assessments, and maintaining electrical infrastructure, particularly in spaces intended for large gatherings.”
Olaso stressed that “LGUs are responsible for ensuring the safety of public spaces, such as freedom parks and open public areas, and electric cooperatives must maintain and secure electrical infrastructure to prevent hazardous incidents.”
In HR 2136, he requested that the House committee conduct a thorough and impartial investigation to uncover the cause of the electrocution incident. The investigation should include, “but not limited to the safety protocols implemented by the Boy Scouts of the Philippines, the condition and maintenance of the electrical infrastructure by ZAMCELCO, and the adequacy of inspections conducted by relevant authorities.”
The legislator further called on all LGUs to work with the BFP and electric cooperatives to establish and carry out regular inspection protocols for public venues, ensuring compliance with safety standards and mitigating risks.
He said that hazard reduction could be implemented through comprehensive fire and electrical safety assessments, improved infrastructure maintenance, and interagency coordination in hosting large gatherings.
