In an emergency, the first responder is often not a doctor or a paramedic. It is the person standing nearby.
Recognizing this reality, Bell-Kenz Pharma brought its nationwide Sagip CPR Movement to Pototan, Iloilo, training over 1,000 Ilonggos in Hands-Only CPR and empowering them with a simple yet critical skill that could save lives in the crucial minutes before professional medical help arrives.
The initiative is part of a nationwide campaign to build a safer and more prepared Philippines by creating one million CPR-ready Filipinos.
Health experts emphasize the urgency of the program. Studies show that eight out of ten cardiac arrests happen outside hospitals, often in homes, workplaces, or public spaces where immediate medical assistance may not be available.
For Dr. Ma. Sylvia Theresa de Pili, MD, President of the Philippine Heart Association Western Visayas Panay Chapter, knowing CPR can make the difference between life and death.
“Importante gid nga kon kabalo kita sang CPR, pwede gid naton ma-extend ang kabuhi sang isa ka biktima kapin pa kon wala pa sang specialist ukon doctor nga available sa palibot,” she said.
Through the Sagip CPR Movement, ordinary citizens—from students and workers to barangay volunteers—learned the fundamentals of Hands-Only CPR, a life-saving technique that focuses on continuous chest compressions to maintain blood flow to the brain and vital organs during cardiac arrest.
Participants were taught the 3 Cs of CPR:
- Check – Check for pulse and breathing.
- Call – Immediately call emergency services.
- Compress – Push hard and fast at the center of the chest.
Local officials welcomed the initiative, noting its importance in strengthening community preparedness.
Sangguniang Bayan Member Paolo Lorenzo Tirador, representing Mayor Lázaro, expressed gratitude that Pototan was chosen as the first venue for the program in Western Visayas.
“Ginakalipay gid namon nga ginpili sang Bell-Kenz Foundation to be the first SagipCPR venue in Western Visayas. Importante ini siya nga training; this is a critical skill for all Pototanons to learn because this is potentially life-saving for those who are experiencing a cardiac event,” Tirador said.
The event was also graced by SB Member Kirk Pedrajas, chair of the Committee on Health, Nutrition and Sanitation, underscoring the local government’s support for community health and safety initiatives.
Medical experts led the training sessions, ensuring that participants gained both knowledge and practical experience. The program featured lectures and demonstrations by Dr. Catherine Cataluña, CPR lecturer; Dr. Arnee Anico-Tondo, AED lecturer; and Dr. Dennis Dumaplin, who facilitated the hands-on demonstrations.
With Pototan now recognized as the first Sagip CPR venue in Western Visayas, the movement continues its mission to expand across communities nationwide—transforming ordinary citizens into potential lifesavers.
Because when cardiac arrest strikes, survival often depends not on the nearest hospital—but on the nearest pair of hands willing and ready to act.
