Members of various Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council of Ilocos Norte shows the various techniques in rescuing a drowning victim during a demonstration conducted at the swimming pool of the Mariano Marcos State University Campus in Batac, Ilocos Norte on March 14, 2024 as part of the capability building for emergency personnel during water emergencies.
By Glen S. Ramos
TO intensify drowning prevention incidents in Ilocos region, the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region in partnership with the Public Health Unit of the Mariano Marcos Memorial Hospital and Medical Center (MMHMC) launched the Community Playbook: Drowning Prevention, one of the major heath events for region I, on March 15, 2024 at the Teatro Ilocandia in Batac City, Ilocos Norte.
The activity aimed to reduce incidents of drowning, especially in Ilocos Norte which is one of the provinces with highest number of drowning cases.
Guest of Honor and Undersecretary of Health for Universal Health Care (UHC) Health Services Cluster Area I- Dr. Maria Rosario Singh-Vergeire said that drowning has been one of the top leading causes of mortality in the country, especially among males, ages 10-20 years old.
“Drowning is preventable and it is a multisectoral issue which can be addressed with the support of all stakeholders concerned including local government units, health care providers, educators, community-based organizations and volunteers. We need to serve as caretakers to safeguard the people in the communities and reduce the risk of death due to drowning, especially those who reside near bodies of water such as rivers, lakes and beaches.”
Vergeire added that drowning is the most common cause of unintentional injury death in the country claiming at least 10 fatalities per month. “Maiiwasan po natin ang insidenteng ito at kailangang magtulong-tulong po tayo upang maitaguyod ang isang plano o programa para dito.”
According to the DOH – Health Emergency Alert Reporting System (HEARS) from January 1, 2021 to January 22, 2024, there were a total of 117 incidents recorded.
In 2023, Ilocos Sur is the leading province with 20 cases of drowning followed by La Union with 16, Ilocos Norte 10, Pangasinan – 2 and Dagupan City – 3.
As of January of this year, Ilocos Norte recorded 1 case of drowning incident.
Regional Director Paula Paz M. Sydiongco said that everyone must learn key prevention tips to reduce the risk of drowning, especially among children. “Kailangang maturuan natin ang mga bata ng proper swimming lessons. We have to encourage our children to take swimming lessons while they are young at makakatulong ito upang maiwasan ang sakuna katulad ng pagkalunod.”
“Karamihan kasi ng mga nalulunod ay hindi marunong lumangoy at maiiwasan ito kung sila ay mayroong wastong kaalaman,” she emphasized.
Aside from the launching program, a capacity building activity and drowning awareness and prevention lecture were conducted by MMHMC and personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard for health workers, barangay officials and community volunteers from various LGUs in Ilocos Norte.
Swimming lessons including proper rescue techniques were conducted by members of local disaster risk reduction units of various LGUs.
The activity was conducted to celebrate drowning prevention month which is observed very month of March.
