Drowning Prevention in the

Philippines

Maria Rosario Sylvia Z. Uy, MD, DPPS Department of Health

Philippines

The Philippines

Source: Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau

Drowning Data 2006-2013

3

4

42.2

42.4

38.0

40.6

42.2

39.7

43.6

40.4

50.9

50.4

54.6

51.5

50.0

51.3

49.1

50.9

7.0

7.3

7.4

7.9

7.8

9.0

7.3

8.7

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

Percent

Year

Percent distribution of deaths caused by accidental drowning and submersion by broad age groups, Philippines: 2006-2013

Older people

(aged 65&over)

Children

(aged 0-14)

Working age

(aged 15-64)

5

6

Multi-Sectoral Consultative Meetings on DP

Participants • Department of Health • World Health Organization – Geneva • World Health Organization – WPRO • World Health Organization – Philippines • National Economic and Development Authority • Department of Education • Philippine Coast Guard • Maritime Industry Authority • Philippine Red Cross • Safe Kids Worldwide Philippines • National Youth Commission • National Council for Disability Affairs • UNICEF – Health and Nutrition Unit • Philippine Lifesaving Society • Office of Civil Defense, NDRRMC • Department of Interior and Local Government • Philippine College of Emergency Medicine • University of the Philippines College of Public Health Foundation, Inc.

Council for the Welfare of Children Department of Education

1. Development of advocacy materials on child safety including drowning

2. “Dikit a Sticker” on Child Safety Campaign (road safety) during National Children’s Month

3. Support for IEC materials relevant to the drowning prevention distributed to CWC national and sub-national structures

4. National Plan of Action for Children (NPAC) addresses needs of children in varying circumstances including children threatened with death or injury. Hence, possible inclusion of drowning prevention in NPAC.

1. Linkages and strengthened partnership with stakeholders to create policy guidelines on drowning prevention among school-age children

2. Creation of support instructional materials for teachers integrated in K-12 curriculum

3. Capacity building activities for school health and nutrition personnel

4. Issuance of DepEd Memo regarding celebration of Drowning Prevention Consciousness Week.

5. Creation of student organizations that advocate drowning prevention.

Office of the Civil Defense Philippine Coast Guard

1. OCD is mandated by law under RA 10121 to administer a comprehensive disaster risk-reduction and management programs through our trainings and collaboration with partner agencies such as the community-based disaster risk reduction and management training, Water Search and Rescue Training (WASAR).

2. 2. Contingency planning on typhoon and storm surge is a by-product of collaboration, study and commitment of an agency.

1. Vessel safety enforcement inspection. 2. No sail policy during inclement weather. 3. WASAR training 4. Upgrading of PCG maritime lighthouse and

buoys. 5. Guidelines for safety and security

requirement for coastal and beach resorts, and vessels with pool.

6. Guidelines for facilities including qualification and registration of life guard for promotion of safety of life at sea.

7. Guideline for conducting marine parades, regattas and other marine event for the promotion of safety and life at sea.

Philippine Information Agency Philippine National Police

1. Provide priority plan for activities regarding Drowning Prevention such as: • TV guesting • Social Media posts • Website • Text blast and information

dissemination to Regional offices • Press releases • Photo releases • Media write-ups

1. Management of critical incidents at sea

2. Protection and public safety with regards to fluvial parades.

3. Policing during disasters 4. Notify residents in the coastal

areas during disaster and lead them to evacuation sites.

Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Drowning Prevention Goal

To reduce drowning mortality in the Philippines by 50% by the year 2026

Objectives and Strategies

Objective 1 To strengthen multisectoral collaboration on drowning prevention

Objective 2 To enhance interventions on drowning prevention especially in high risk groups

Objective 3 To strengthen implementation and enforcement of policies and regulations on drowning prevention

• Alliance-building (Formation of Violence and Injury Prevention Alliance – VIPA)

• Advocacy (Inclusion of

drowning prevention plan in regional, local government and sectoral development plans)

• Constant adult supervision • Barriers • Basic swimming Lessons for

School-age children • Pre-hospital care emergency

medical system

• Use of flotation devices

• Transport policies and regulations

• Policies and regulations related

to weather disturbances

Objectives and Strategies

Objective 4 To increase public awareness on drowning prevention

Objective 5 To improve evidence and data on drowning

• Information dissemination activities (using various platforms)

• Conferences, seminars, community sessions on drowning prevention

• Advocacy (Drowning Prevention Consciousness Week)

• Strengthening of information management systems

• Support drowning researches

Community-Based Drowning Prevention Initiatives

• Community Plan on Drowning Prevention

• Installation of barriers o Door barriers to selected beneficiaries

o Covering of open dug wells

o Improvement of footbridges

• Education, Information and Communication (IEC) Strategies

Key Lessons and Challenges

Key Lessons • Multi-sectoral

collaboration

• Community-based action

• Legislation

Challenges • Regular representation from GOs and

NGOs

• Inadequacy of timely and quality data on drowning

• Lack of awareness on drowning as a public health problem

• Sustainability (political and social support, availability of resources)

Next Steps

•Strengthening Multi Stakeholders Alliance •Operationalization of the Multi-Sectoral Action Plan on Drowning Prevention •Scale up of community-based drowning prevention initiatives •Enhancement of the Information System •Advocacy for legislation relevant to drowning prevention