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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider No more drownings? Solon wants swimming turned into a basic education subject

No more drownings? Solon wants swimming turned into a basic education subject

Published Apr 11, 2023 11:53 pm
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The dozens of deaths reported due to drowning this April may have been mitigated had swimming been taught as a basic education subject in schools. Incidentally, Probinsyano Ako Party-list Rep. Rudys Caesar Fariñas recently filed in the 19th Congress House Bill (HB) No. 7476, or the proposed "Drowning Prevention Act". Filed only last March 6, the measure seeks to mandate swimming as a subject in the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum and as an integral part of the overall strategy to reduce the incidence of death by drowning during natural calamities or recreation aquatic activities. The bill mandates the coordination of the Department of Education (DepEd) and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) in the inclusion of swimming as a subject in the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum. The Fariñas bill states that the swimming lessons shall include water safety and safe rescue skills. "The Drowning Prevention Plan shall be developed by the NDRRMC to serve as a guide for all private and public elementary and secondary schools, government agencies, including local government units (LGUs), in formulating their programs and projects to reduce the risk of drowning incidents in the country," it said. "Each LGU shall formulate and design a community action plan in accordance with the Drowning Prevention Plan," the measure further read. The measure is pending before the House Committee on Basic Education and Culture. The Philippine National Police (PNP) reported recently that over 70 people have died by drowning in the country since the start of the month, which coincides with summer. Filipinos have been flocking to beaches and resorts as of late as part of their vacation.

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