Swim safe, save lives: MILO launches Safe Swim program
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Leading chocolate milk malt beverage MILO just launched a new sports initiative: MILO Safe Swim. The program is designed to advocate for World Drown Prevention Day while also concluding National Disaster Resilience Month in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross, Swimtech, and Olympian Jenny Guerrero.
This campaign officially kicked off last July 31. MILO recognizes the alarming number of drowning incidents in the Philippines, and so MILO Safe Swim aims to teach young children how to swim, equipping them with a necessary survival skill in the face of emergencies.
Promoting water safety practices
Nestlé Philippines Beverages and Confectionery SVP and Business Executive Officer Veronica Cruz believes that swimming plays a pivotal role in saving millions of lives. “Today, we launched the MILO Safe Swim: Drown Prevention Program [with the goal of] raising awareness and help in addressing the alarming drowning statistics in the Philippines,” she says.
“As part of the MILO's purpose of nourishing Filipino kids’ journey to success, growing up with sports is a critical component. We truly find this program meaningful as safety goes hand-in-hand with sports, with swimming as a life-saving skill.”
Drowning remains fatal for many Filipinos in the younger population. In 2022, Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) recorded an average of 3,000 Filipinos of all ages dying annually from drowning. Data shows the highest cases occurring from March to April.
These underwater accidents were linked to the country’s lack of swimming facilities and insufficient avenues for learning. MILO Safe Swim aims to address this problem through several water safety training programs.
Proper drown prevention knowledge
MILO continues to empower the youth and promote an active and healthy lifestyle through sports. With their Safe Swim initiative, people can gain proper drown prevention knowledge for themselves and their loved ones. Safe Swim will be open to all young attendees’ parents, too.
Their project partner Philippine Red Cross will carry out the modules and teach the life-saving lessons. At the Safe Swim program launch, the organization met with MILO to discuss various learning opportunities that can guarantee a safer living environment.
“[We commit] to this initiative to reduce and prevent drowning incidents by first, [conducting] comprehensive training programs. Second, [to] continue the community engagement in every region in the country and resource development; [and also], the continuous improvement of our training programs,” says Philippine Red Cross National Field Representative Kim Patrick Flores.
With over a hundred million Filipinos living in an archipelago, MILO Safe Swim hopes that no life will be lost again to water. Through collaborating with local government units and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices, MILO plans to provide city-specific instructions and modules to better help local citizens appreciate the significance of drowning prevention.
MILO has deeply embedded itself in the Philippine sports scene in the last 60 years. It remains committed to its advocacy of championing Filipino athletes from grassroots to the world stage.
The MILO Safe Swim Program is not only the newest addition to the roster of their sports initiatives, but also a testament of the brand’s unparalleled support towards the Filipino’s active journey.
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