PROBINSYANO Ako Party-list Rep. Rudys Caesar Farinas is pushing for a measure mandating swimming as subject in the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum and an integral part of the overall strategy to reduce the incidence of death from drowning during natural calamities or recreational aquatic activities.

In his House Bill 7476 or the proposed Drowning Prevention Act, Farinas stressed the State recognizes the right to life and health of every Filipino, and hence it shall protect the life as well as instill health consciousness among them.

The measure mandates the coordination of the Department of Education and the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council in the inclusion of swimming as subject in the K-12 Basic Education Curriculum.

Based on the bill, the swimming lessons shall include water safety and safe rescue skills.
It also mandates the development of the Drowning Prevention Plan by the NDRRMC to serve as guide for all private and public elementary and secondary schools, government agencies, including local government units, in formulating their programs and projects to reduce the risk of drowning incidents.

Each local government unit must also formulate and design a community action plan in accordance with the Drowning Prevention Plan.