Philippines ranks high in terms of people who died from drowning, and of which, children are the most vulnerable. A recent study released by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed that an average of 2,496 people die in the Philippines due to drowning every year between 1980 and 2011.
In 2015, a group of Australian students from Griffith University decided to initiate a drowning prevention program that will be implemented in various coastlines across the Philippines.
The brainchild, FLOAT Philippines, is an initiative that aims to harness engagement between international and local organisations to come up with strategies that will lower the drowning mortality in the Philippines.
The primary idea is to come up with a sustainable program that will raise drowning prevention awareness among those living in coastline communities. The organisation envisions to implement “learn to swim” and “surf life-saving” programs in the country to lower cases of drowning, particularly in tourist spots.
While program implementation has not been easy, the group remains committed. In 2016, FLOAT managed to raise funds to train two Baler locals as lifesavers.
They hope that a law will be passed by the government to secure funds for future employment and training of the lifeguards.
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Source: The Straits Times, 24 June 2017