The Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) is strengthening its alliance with the Philippine Life Saving Society (PLS) to combat what experts have described as a “silent epidemic” of drowning in the country.

Following alarming statistics and tragic incidents in La Union, PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio has committed to scaling up lifesaving programs across all 18 regions.

“Every drowning is preventable. It is unacceptable that thousands of lives are lost each year simply because lifesaving skills are not widespread. This program is about protecting our children, our athletes, and our communities,’’ said Gregorio.

The partnership with the PLS headed by its CEO Arne Navarra marks a decisive step in building a nationwide culture of water safety.

PLS has long championed drowning prevention, aiming to train 75,000 lifesavers and eventually reaching 60 percent of the population to achieve “herd immunity” against drowning risks.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has directed the PSC to carry out the program nationwide after hearing the statistics from Presidential son William Vincent ``Vinny’’ Marcos and John Carby, a pillar of Philippine surfing development.

Carby, an Aussie who has made Siargao his home, serves as the technical director of the island’s premier surfing events.

After also learning of the tragedy in San Juan, La Union where children living by the beach were swept away, the President instructed the PSC to prioritize the program in the province and eventually spread lifesaving to all regions.

“Masyadong masakit para sa pamilya ang mawalan ng anak habang nagbabakasyon sa ating mga beach. Maraming Pilipino ang hindi marunong lumangoy dahil sa pangamba sa dagat,’’ said Gregorio.

``Iyan po ang proyekto ng PSC sa pakikipagtulungan sa Philippine Life Saving Society. Save lives and enjoy the beach,’’ added Gregorio.

The directive of President Marcos underscores the urgency of treating drowning as a public health crisis and scaling up prevention efforts.

“In 2009, our research showed more than 7,000 children drowned. In 2011, there were 40,000 drowning incidents across all ages. It’s a silent killer,’’ said Navarra, whose goal back then was to reduce cases by 50 percent every five years down to 20,000, then 10,000, and now 5,000.

``Republic Act 10121 mandates industries to be trained in lifesaving, and it’s already integrated into K to 12. But we need to scale this inter-island, nationwide,” added Navarra.

RA 10121, known as the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act of 2010, provides the legal foundation for government agencies like the PSC, Department of Education and the local government units to support drowning prevention initiatives.

It also empowers partnerships with non-government organizations such as the PLS to implement lifesaving training programs nationwide.

Surf lifesaving is poised for inclusion in the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, where thousands of athletes are expected to compete. Gregorio confirmed plans to form a national lifesaving team, showcasing Filipino talent while expanding the pool of trained lifesavers nationwide.

``This is more than a sport, it’s a matter of survival. The numbers don’t event count all cases,’’ said Gregorio, recalling his conversation with Vinny Marcos that La Union should be prioritized because of so many drowning incidents there.

According to PLS, drowning and near-drowning incidents in the Philippines reach 10,000 annually, a tragic irony for a nation of 7,641 islands. The World Health Organization has described drowning as a “silent epidemic,” with children under five at the highest risk.

``That’s why we will be working closely with Arne Navarra’s group, and John Carby. The Australians are donating with the PLS and the government working together. This is a rare opportunity where sport and public safety converge, and the Philippines must seize it,’’ said Gregorio.