San juan: The Department of Health in the Ilocos Region (DOH-1) is pushing for a unified, multi-sectoral plan to address drowning, a leading cause of injury-related deaths in the area. In a statement Tuesday, DOH-1 Regional Director Paula Paz Sydiongco underscored the urgent need for coordinated action to make communities safer, especially for children, fishermen, and coastal populations.
According to Philippines News Agency, citing Department of the Interior and Local Government records, the region recorded 280 drowning incidents from 2022 to 2025. Adults aged 25 to 59 years accounted for the most cases with 114 incidents, followed by children aged 0 to 14 with 73 incidents, and youth aged 15 to 24 with 59 incidents. Pangasinan had the largest share at 52 percent, followed by La Union (23 percent), Ilocos Norte (14 percent), and Ilocos Sur (11 percent). The data showed 81.1 percent were accidental, while 16.1 percent were alcohol-related.
The figures prompted the creation of the Regional Strategic Drowning Prevention Plan (2025-2030) during a workshop from Oct. 21 to 24 in San Juan, La Union. Sydiongco described the plan as “our roadmap toward a future where no life is lost to drowning.” An evidence-based strategy will guide local government units in developing localized action plans and policies, focusing on prevention, emergency response, surveillance, and advocacy, she added.
