Most victims of drownings in the three days of Holy Week last year were children aged 14 years old and below.
The non-profit group Philippine Life Savings (PLS) Group said this amid reports that a man drowned in barangay Poblacion, Sibonga town last Tuesday afternoon. The victim identified as Raymundo Caylan was drunk when he went for a swim.
The incident was cited by the PLS as a warning to those headed to beaches and resorts this summer.
Earlier, the Philippine Coast Guard in Central Visayas said it will inspect resorts in the region starting May 17 to verify if they have enough trained life guards and safety facilities for their clients.
The inspection is based on a Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) circular that stipulated guidelines on swimming safety for beach resorts around the country.
“We will give recommendations to these resorts that don’t pass our inspections,” Commander Weniel Azcuna, PCG Central Visayas chief, said.
Supervision
In a press conference yesterday, PLS Secretary General Larry Joie S. Alag said the lack of supervision over children is the leading cause of accidents.
He cited their study which recorded 267 drowning incidents on the first three days of the Holy Week last year and 14,000 cases of near drowning incidents across the country. Most victims were aged 14 years old and below. He said their study also showed that children who drowned were just two meters away from an adult.
Alag said a family must plan their outing ahead of time and monitor the weather condition and check the beach if there is strong water current.
“Don’t go beyond the limits. Be responsible,” he said.
Those wishing to go island hopping should not rent unregistered bancas or vessels. “They don’t have life saving equipment,” Alag said.
He said their group is committed to training one lifesaver per Filipino household and conducts free training on swimming and life saving.
Azcuna said their office doesn’t have statistics on how many life guards are employed in resorts and beaches. He said the PCG offers water search and training courses to interested persons for free.
“This will also help those who want to save lives and those who want to know how to swim,” Azcuna said.
Azcuna said they will conduct trainings for 20 people per group and added that those interested can go to their office for more information. / With a report by Xavier University Intern Irish Maika R. Lim