MANILA, Philippines – To mark World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25, MILO® and the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) held the biggest event yet of the MILO® Safe Swim program last July 27 at Lourdes School of Mandaluyong, equipping participants with essential water safety and first aid skills to combat rising child drowning cases in the Philippines.
Why MILO SAFE Swim matters
According to the World Health Organization (2019), drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury deaths in the Philippines, accounting for 31% of such deaths among children under 14 years old. Introduced in 2024 as a nationwide initiative, MILO® SAFE Swim has already made stops in Davao, Cagayan de Oro, Ilocos Sur, Cavite, Cebu, Bacolod, Pampanga, and Pasig, reaching communities across the country to promote water safety awareness and equip families with life-saving knowledge in response to this alarming statistic.
“Let’s make a commitment today—to protect each other, to raise awareness, and to give every child the chance to enjoy water safely,” said Dr. Gwendolyn Pang, general manager of the Philippine Red Cross. “Let’s make sure our kids know how to swim, how to stay safe, and how to help others because no one should lose their life to something we can prevent. Remember, SAFE water is fun water.”
Dr. Gwendolyn Pang explaining the SAFE swim method
“Drowning continues to be one of the leading causes of death among children in the Philippines. That’s why we knew we had to act, and that’s how MILO® SAFE Swim came to life,” shared Carlo Sampan, assistant vice president for MILO® and head of MILO® Sports. “At MILO®, we’ve always believed that sports build champions not just in the field, but in life. Today, we’re proud to expand that mission into the water with a program that saves lives, builds courage, and strengthens families.”
“Swimming is more than just a sport. Hindi porket competitive swimmer ako, I can save myself and save others in times of emergencies. Hindi ‘yon automatic, natututunan po ‘yan,” former Olympian swimmer and now swimming coach Jenny Guerrero also showed her support, spotlighting the growing momentum behind the campaign.
From safety to confidence: Teaching kids to swim the SAFE way
More than just swim lessons, MILO® SAFE Swim emphasizes that swimming is an essential life skill, especially in a country prone to typhoons and flooding. Through its practical and accessible sessions, the program empowers families to stay safe and respond effectively to water-related emergencies, whether in pools, natural bodies of water like rivers and lakes, or during calamities.
Certified PRC instructors, together with Bert Lozada Learn-to-Swim (BLSS) coaches, led three core sessions: (1) life-saving skills seminar covering CPR and first aid, (2) introduction to water safety with swim assessments, and (3) hands-on water safety demonstrations.
To make water safety clear and memorable, MILO® introduced the SAFE method—their take on the ABCs of swimming:
These simple yet vital steps are designed to prevent drowning and empower individuals to respond confidently in water emergencies.
A movement toward widespread safer safety awareness
MILO® SAFE Swim is a long-term advocacy that envisions water safety, especially the SAFE method, as second nature as ‘duck, cover, and hold’ in earthquake drills.
By reaching communities nationwide, the program aspires to make swimming not just a recreational activity but a life-saving skill, critical in a country like the Philippines, where water-related emergencies are common.
