MANILA — Organizers are putting an extensive safety network in place — from lifeguards and rescue boats to jet skis and Coast Guard support — as Boracay prepares to host the Philippines’ first international open water swimming competition from Aug. 21 to 23.
The 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, presented by the Philippine Sports Commission, will be staged at Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan, with Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) assuring that athlete safety will be the overriding priority during the three-day regional meet.
“The safety of all our athletes is our top priority now, ensuring they will have a secure and safety environment during the competition,” said PAI vice president Jojo Quilop following a recent interagency coordinating meeting for the event.
“What PAI and the local organizing committee have done is submit a comprehensive plan to Asia Aquatics on the safety protocols, including how many kayaks, rubber life boats and jet skis that will be required for the meet, for its approval” Quilop revealed.
“We also are looking at whatever loopholes that are left so that our safety measures are airtight,” said the PAI official, adding that the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police will also provide support once the regional competition gets underway.
Coordination has also been undertaken with disaster risk reduction and management authorities in Aklan, with another round of discussions scheduled with officials in Malay.
“Meetings with the provincial risk reduction and management officials of Aklan have taken place while next week we will have another meeting with the municipal risk reduction and management officials,” he said.
Quilop said the competition course will be located within the resort island’s cove “so that the waters and weather will be calmer compared to the other side of Boracay.”
Philippine Lifesaving will reinforce the safety contingent by deploying five highly trained volunteer lifeguards each day of competition.
“One of Philippine Lifesaving’s 68 centers nationwide is in Boracay so we will send five volunteer lifeguards daily during the competition to supplement and complement whatever safety requirements that are needed by the organizers,” Philippine Lifesaving secretary general DJ Salonga said.
“All of these lifeguard volunteers have undergone intensive training and awarded Philippine Lifesaving certificates for undergoing our lifesaving course,” Salonga stressed. “We are only to glad offer our help for this international open water swimming event.”
Aside from protecting competitors, organizers are also putting measures in place to minimize the event’s impact on Boracay’s marine ecosystem.
Quilop said that besides the safety measures for participants of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships “we are also taking steps in preserving and protecting the ecological and marine environment while we are there.”
“We are conscious of Boracay’s reputation as top tourist destination of our country,” he said,” so we want to maintain that status.”
The competition marks the first time the Philippines will host the Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, with PAI hoping a successful staging could pave the way for more international open water events in the country.
“This is the first time the Philippine will host the 4th Southeast Asia Ope Water Swimming Championships and we want to maintain the of everyone while having a good time with us. We want this to be the best hosting.
“The idea of PAI is that this will be just the first of many more international open water swimming events considering that we have 7,100 islands all over the country.”/PN
