Tabor urges city hall to do safety check on fair rides

By LITO RULONA
Correspondent

COUNCILOR Ramon Tabor on Monday called on city hall to ensure the safety of people that go to fairs that offer sideshows and rides in anticipation of travelling shows in the city as it starts preparations for the August fiesta.
Tabor said the local executive department needs to task the City Building Official to inspect the carnival rides.

“When I was on my way home, I noticed that carnival operators have started setting up their equipment and rides. Our city fiesta is past approaching and there will be many activities, and more carnivals would open,” he said. Tabor also said he was worried because of the lack of clear safety standards for amusement centers and similar places.

“As a way of reminder, an incident happened in Metro Manila when a Ferris wheel malfunctioned, resulting in deaths,” he said.

“I am not saying that this will happen in Cagayan de Oro. God forbid. The purpose of my special report is to remind all of us, most especially the City Engineer’s Office and City Building Official, of their duty of making sure that whatever equipment or rides they have must be safe,” Tabor said.

He said local governments have the authority to issue permits for fairs and amusement parks to operate. He said there is also a city ordinance that mandates the licensing section of the City Treasurer’s Office, and the City Mayor’s Office to ensure the public safety in fairs and similar places.