CEBU CITY – In a powerful step towards preventing childhood drowning, Milo has partnered with the Philippine Red Cross to bring the Milo Safe Swim-Drown Prevention Program to the Cebu City Sports Center.
The initiative aims to equip both children and parents with critical water safety skills, ensuring they gain confidence and competence in and around water.
Among the program’s participants is Samantha Cerio, who enrolled her daughter, Amber, to strengthen her swimming abilities.
“My daughter has basic swimming skills, and we were excited to join Safe Swim to deepen her knowledge and improve her techniques,” Cerio shared.
Drowning remains one of the leading causes of death among Filipino children aged 0-14, with an alarming 3,200 lives lost annually due to a lack of emergency training and water survival skills.
The Safe Swim program directly addresses this issue by providing fundamental techniques such as floating, kicking, and staying calm in the water—key skills that can prevent panic and reduce drowning risks.
The Philippine Red Cross further enhances the program by incorporating basic first aid principles, teaching children to identify safe and unsafe water practices and respond appropriately in emergencies.
This extra layer of preparedness underscores the reality that knowing what to do can mean the difference between life and death.
“We are aiming to launch 60 Safe Swim sessions nationwide this year,” said Carlo Sampan, Head of Milo Sports, emphasizing the program’s commitment to making water safety education accessible to more families.
At its core, Milo Safe Swim is more than just a training program—it’s a movement that fosters water confidence and safety awareness among both parents and children.
By promoting proper techniques and emergency preparedness, this initiative is paving the way for a future where Filipino children can enjoy the water safely, reducing the risks of drowning one lesson at a time.
