BAGUIO CITY – LTJG Juanito Melad, Commanding Officer of the Philippine Coast Guard Special Operations Group in Northwestern Luzon, confirms a total of 53 drowning incidents in 2023, 60 in 2024, and one incident so far in 2025 across Region 1 and the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).
As the summer season peaks, drowning incidents become a growing concern. Tourists vacation in bodies of water to unwind from the stress of their daily lives. With this, key personnel from the Philippine Coast Guard are reminding the public to stay alert. “We must consider all water dangers, kahit ba two feet, one feet, we must consider all water environment’s dangerous,” says Melad.
Melad also shares several safety tips to avoid drowning—such as learning how to swim, swimming near a lifeguard, never swimming alone, looking out for children, and not passing responsibility to lifeguards. He mentions the availability of trainings offered by the PCG: “Ang Philippine Coast Guard po ay nagco-conduct ng trainings, activities with regards to water search and rescue training.” He further explains, “Nagco-conduct po kami ng mga water search and rescue sa mga LGUs, most especially sa mga MDRRMO (Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office).” Melad later clarifies that the trainings are free. He also emphasizes that the PCG requires all beaches and resorts in the country to have a lifeguard.
For emergency and operational concerns, the public may contact the following Coast Guard Stations: CGS La Union – 09362659447, CGS Ilocos Norte – 09106097420, CGS Ilocos Sur – 09668590756, and CGS Pangasinan – 09270778026.
With continued vigilance and public cooperation, the PCG hopes to further reduce the number of drowning incidents in the region. By Gian Laddit
