Cheyenne Suarez

Organizers assure safe, secure environment at Open Water Swimming meet

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/17866099738881786609972241.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960" alt="Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News"/>Visitors flock to Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan. Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News </div>MANILA -- Local organizers will implement stringent measures to secure the safety and well-being of competitors in the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, set for Aug. 21 to 23 at the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.&quot;The safety of all our athletes is our top priority now, ensuring they will have a secure and safe environment during the competition,&quot; said Philippine Aquatics Inc. (PAI) vice president Jojo Quilop following the recent interagency coordinating meeting for the event.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/othersports/2026/7/14/boracay-to-host-sea-open-water-swimming-championships-1649">READ: Boracay to host SEA Open Water Swimming Championships</a></div>&quot;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&quot; Quilop revealed.&quot;We also are looking at whatever loopholes that are left so that our safety measures are airtight,&quot; said the PAI official, adding that they will also be supported by the Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine National Police once the regional open water showcase unfolds.&quot;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,&quot; he said.Quilop noted that the inaugural international open water swimming meet that the country will host would be within the popular resort island&#x27;s cove &quot;so that the waters and weather will be calmer compared to the other side of Boracay.&quot;They will be assisted by Philippine Lifesaving, which will send five highly-trained lifeguards daily while the races are going on.&quot;One of Philippine Lifesaving&#x27;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,&quot; Philippine Lifesaving secretary general DJ Salonga said.&quot;All of these lifeguard volunteers have undergone intensive training and been awarded Philippine Lifesaving certificates for undergoing our lifesaving course,&quot; Salonga stressed. &quot;We are only too glad to offer our help for this international open water swimming event.&quot;Quilop said that besides the safety measures for participants of the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, the organizers are &quot;also taking steps in preserving and protecting the ecological and marine environment while we are there.&quot;&quot;We are conscious of Boracay&#x27;s reputation as the top tourist destination of our country,&quot; he said, &quot;So we want to maintain  that status.&quot;&quot;This is the first time the Philippines will host the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships and we want to maintain it for everyone while having a good time with us.  We want this to be the best hosting.&quot;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.&quot;

Local organizers will implement stringent measures to secure the safety and well-being of competitors in the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, set for Aug. 21 to 23 at the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.

Local organizers will implement stringent measures to secure the safety and well-being of competitors in the 4th Southeast Asia Open Water Swimming Championships, set for Aug. 21 to 23 at the Boracay Newcoast in Malay, Aklan.