Sandy's Act - Philippines Debates Harmful Jellyfish Legislation
A hearing is currently taking place in the Philippines' halls of power about bringing into law the Child Tourist Safety Act, or Sandy's Act, that's designed to protect children in tourism areas from the likes of box jellyfish. This is landmark stuff! Led by Senator Risa Hontiveros, Chairperson of the Committee On Women, Children, Family Relations & Gender Equality, the bill includes a range of issues impacting children in tourism areas from abuse to a lack of medical aid in emergencies such as a potentially deadly jellyfish sting. These emergencies as too often detailed here, happen far too frequently. One such tragedy involved six-year-old Sandy Garovillas, who died from a jellyfish sting at a Palawan resort on 30 October, 2023. Every year, it is estimated that between 20 and 40 children die from a box jellyfish sting in the Philippines. It's most likely more. This is a disturbing number. Philippines Jellyfish & Child Deaths Not one to accept that her daughte...