Lifesaving Skills Become More Inclusive in Mandaluyong

Knowing how to respond when someone suddenly collapses can mean the difference between life and death. In Mandaluyong City, a new community initiative is making sure that lifesaving knowledge becomes accessible to more Filipinos, including persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their caregivers.

Bell-Kenz Pharma’s Sagip CPR is holding its first formal collaboration with the PWD sector on September 2, 2026, at the Mandaluyong City Hall Executive Building Hall. Conducted with the City Government of Mandaluyong and its Persons with Disabilities Affairs Division, the activity places inclusion at the heart of emergency preparedness.

Hon. Menchie Abalos, Mandaluyong City Mayor, thanked Bell-Kenz Pharma and its partners for bringing the Sagip CPR program to the city, emphasizing that emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time. She highlighted the importance of equipping people, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, families, and employees, with basic lifesaving skills. Abalos stressed that every second matters during an emergency and that having someone nearby who knows CPR can make a critical difference while waiting for professional medical assistance.

“Emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, so everyone must be prepared. I thank Bell-Kenz Pharma and our partners for bringing the most inclusive Sagip CPR to Mandaluyong. By teaching lifesaving skills to our people, including persons with disabilities, senior citizens, families, and employees, we empower our communities to respond when every second matters. Knowing CPR gives ordinary people the ability and confidence to act quickly and potentially save someone’s life.” Mayor Abalos said.

Under the Phil Nautical Highway Sagip CPR,  “One Heart, One Nation: Uniting the Country Thru CPR Training,” participants will learn about heart health, Hands-Only CPR and the proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

Morning and afternoon sessions will combine discussions with practical demonstrations, allowing participants to practice techniques they may need during an actual emergency. The program also encourages participants to make a commitment toward helping create safer and better-prepared communities.

Patrick Larraga, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Head, emphasized that lifesaving knowledge should be accessible to everyone. Through Sagip CPR, the advocacy provides simple and practical CPR training to Filipinos, including persons with disabilities and communities where emergency services may be limited. By teaching people how to recognize emergencies and perform basic lifesaving procedures while awaiting medical assistance, Sagip CPR aims to strengthen community preparedness and empower ordinary Filipinos with the knowledge and confidence to potentially save lives during emergencies.

“Our goal with Sagip CPR is to bring lifesaving knowledge to as many Filipinos as possible, regardless of age, ability, background, or location. We want communities to understand that CPR should not be limited to healthcare professionals or trained responders. With simple and practical training, ordinary people can learn how to respond effectively during emergencies and rescue situations. By reaching communities nationwide, including persons with disabilities, we are helping build a more prepared, responsive, and inclusive Philippines,” said Patrick.

More importantly, the initiative recognizes PWDs not simply as recipients of assistance during emergencies, but as individuals who can actively participate in lifesaving efforts.

The collaboration builds on Mandaluyong’s efforts toward disability inclusion. The city received the Dangal ng mga Taong May Kapansanan recognition in 2018 for its disability-inclusive governance.

Known as the “Tiger City,” Mandaluyong is home to major commercial establishments, corporate offices, residential communities and transportation networks. Its constant movement of workers, commuters and visitors makes emergency readiness particularly important.

Dr. Alexis Dimapilis, National Course Director on Basic Life Support from the Department of Health, shared his expertise on the proper performance of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), providing participants with practical guidance on how to respond during emergency situations.

Through a hands-on demonstration, Dr. Dimapilis explained the essential steps of CPR and emphasized the importance of acting quickly and correctly when a person experiences cardiac arrest. His session highlighted how basic lifesaving knowledge can empower ordinary individuals to respond with confidence while waiting for professional medical assistance to arrive.

Sagip CPR’s arrival in the city also expands an advocacy that has reached communities connected by the Philippine Nautical Highway.

By bringing CPR and AED education closer to the PWD community, the initiative delivers a simple but important health message: lifesaving knowledge should be inclusive, accessible, and within everyone’s reach.