Negros occidental: San Jose de Buenavista The provincial government of Antique has announced plans to initiate a water safety campaign in schools throughout the region. This initiative aims to address and reduce the number of drowning incidents reported across the province.

According to Philippines News Agency, Australian volunteer David Field, an expert in lifesaving and water safety, highlighted the importance of educating the public, particularly children, about the dangers present in beaches and other water bodies. Field has been assigned by the South East Asia Lifesaving Network (SEAL) to work in Antique for a six-month period. He recently served as a speaker at the 2026 World Drowning Prevention Learning Conference held at the Binirayan Gymnasium in San Jose de Buenavista.

Field emphasized the need for educational programs, stating, "We are going to the school campuses to teach the students water safety programs." The campaign is part of a larger effort by the Antique Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, which has partnered with SEAL and the non-government organization Surf Life Saving Philippines. Their shared goal is to decrease the frequency of drowning incidents in the area.

From 2019 to 2025, Antique recorded 134 drowning incidents, with 126 of these being fatal occurrences in natural water settings such as rivers and beaches. Bugasong Municipal Mayor Victor Condez noted that 15 out of the 18 towns in Antique are located in coastal areas, where swimming is a popular recreational activity due to the province's extensive coastline.

The new campaign targets school-aged children, aiming to build awareness and impart essential water safety knowledge to help prevent future tragedies in the province.