Quezon City Third District Councilor Julian Coseteng is launching a water safety program for Quezon City Barangay Tanods and volunteers this summer at the Diliman Preparatory School Swimming Center with the DPS and the Philippine Swimming League providing the training personnel.
Coseteng, who also formed the Quezon City team composed of DPS swimmers for the Arafura Games in Darwin, Australia next month, said Barangay Tanods and barangay volunteers will be offered a learn-to-swim program with strong emphasis on drowning prevention and water safety.
“We want to be ready for future calamities, to prevent unnecessary loss of lives like what happened during Typhoon Ondoy,” said Coseteng, son of former Sen. Nikki Coseteng.
“We want Quezon City residents to feel confident that their barangay tanods and qualified volunteers could be present and helpful in time of need to provide help and relief when a super typhoon ,or any calamity strikes and be ready to help other cities and municipalities that need assistance,” he added.
Coseteng said drowning prevention and water safety will boost the present capabilities of organizations involved in emergency operations such as first aid-CPR.
“The program also aims to extend education to the grassroots level, down to the barangay community including parents and children. Saving lives should be a part of every barangay’s community services,” said Coseteng.
In line with its outreach program during the summer months, DPS is offering its swimming center, which the school uses during the school year to teach swimming to students as part of the school curriculum. Spearheading the program are Sen. Coseteng, DPS president and chief executive officer, and PSL president Susan Papa.
Meanwhile, Sen. Coseteng said PSC chairman Richie Garcia will be sending six swimmers from DPS Quezon City to the Arafura meet, a biennial multi-sport competition which has drawn over 3,000 competitors from 30 countries.
Coseteng said the PSC is providing free visa application of the participating athletes and officials, as well as uniforms, allowances, accommodation and medical supplies.
The participants are Coseteng, Papa and Susan Benasa of the PSL, and swimmers Loren Dale Echavez, Kiefer Piccio, Emmanuel Joshua Lorbes, Pricila Aquino, Antoinette Aquino and Carlo Doragos.
The swimmers are all products of the DPS monthly competitions.
“We are thankful to Chairman Garcia for our participation,” said Coseteng.
