MANILA, March 7 (Xinhua) -- Former Philippine Swimming Incorporated (PSI) president Mark Joseph passed away "peacefully" at age 56 in Britain, the country's swimming and other aquatic sports governing body said in a statement released on Thursday.

"Mr. Joseph made a significant impact in Philippine swimming by promoting the sport at the grassroots level and by raising the Philippine swimming to international standards," read the PSI statement.

Lani Velasco, who assumed the PSI leadership after Joseph stepped down as president two years ago, said that Joseph's family is "making arrangements for his funeral."

Joseph was an active figure in Philippine swimming since the 1980s but was heavily criticized towards the end of his term due to the poor performance of Philippine swimmers in international events especially at 2015 Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

One of the highlights of his term came in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when the country sent five swimmers.

After leaving the Philippines, the former swim head lived with his brother in Britain.

Before his passing, Joseph was a member of the High Diving Commission in the FINA, swimming's world governing body.