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| (L-R, seated) Olympian Swimmer Coach Jenny Guerrero, Philippine Red Cross National Field Representative Kim Patrick Flores, Nestlé Philippines Inc. Senior Vice President and Beverage and Confectionary Business Executive Officer Veronica Cruz, Philippine Red Cross Training Unit Head Beliardo Anciro and MILO® Philippines Brand Manager Ana Twaño during the launch of the MILO® Safe Swim Program (Image Source: Manila Standard/Nestlé Philippines Inc.) |
MILO launched the latest addition to its roster of sports initiatives, MILO Safe Swim in partnership with Philippine Red Cross, Swimtech, and Olympian Jenny Guerrero, to conclude its observance of National Disaster Resilience Month throughout the month of July and in recognition of July 25th now serving as World Drown Prevention Day. Aiming to address the concerning occurrence of drowning in the Philippines, the program was formally kicked off last July 31, 2024 in a bid to teach young children how to swim, and be equipped with the necessary survival skills to be prepared for emergency situations anywhere and any time.
With over a hundred million Filipinos living in an archipelago, MILO® has recognized swimming as an important skill to learn due to its life-saving properties. Unfortunately, due to insufficient avenues for learning, drowning remains fatal for many in the community, especially within the younger populations – whether due to accidents during vacations, rapid flooding during the typhoon season, or otherwise. As such, MILO® has embarked on Safe Swim as a means for young children to continue and nourish their journey through sports, and gain the skills that they would need when the need to act in emergency situations arises. Just as well, Safe Swim will be open to all young attendees’ parents so they too can be equipped with proper drown prevention knowledge for not only themselves, but their loved ones. As a brand empowered by its fellow Filipinos, MILO also commits to ensure that the Safe Swim program is a joint effort with various sectors of the local community. Partner Philippine Red Cross will come in with life-saving lessons and modules to teach all attendees; the organization has also met with MILO during its Safe Swim kickoff meeting to discuss the various opportunities Filipinos can gain valuable knowledge against drowning.
Nestlé Philippines Inc. Senior Vice President (SVP) and Business Executive Officer for Beverages and Confectionery Veronica Cruz elaborated on why the brand has deemed this program important for the Filipino community. She shares, “Today, we launch the MILO® Safe Swim: Drown Prevention Program [with the goal of] raising awareness and help in addressing the alarming drowning statistics in the Philippines. As part of the MILO 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.” Meanwhile, Philippine Red Cross National Field Representative Kim Patrick Flores shared the same advocacy, adding, “[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.”
Just as well, in its effort to make Safe Swim a well-rounded effort, MILO aims to partner with local government units and City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Offices to provide city-specific instructions and modules to better help local citizens appreciate the significance of drowning prevention. All in all, the program serves as a continuation of the brand’s long-standing advocacy to not only advancing the development of grassroots support, but also, through its goal of practicing water safety and preventing drowning, supporting Filipinos in their active journey.
