Village Connect
Sagip CPR initiative aims to train 2,000 athletes, para-athletes, coaches, and sports personnel in emergency response and water safety.
In sports, every second can determine victory or defeat. But during a medical emergency, those same seconds can mean the difference between life and death.
Recognizing the importance of emergency preparedness, Bell-Kenz Pharma has partnered with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) to bring essential lifesaving training to the country’s athletic community through its flagship advocacy program, Sagip CPR.
The initiative aims to equip 2,000 national athletes, para-athletes, coaches, and sports personnel with practical knowledge of Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and drowning-response procedures.
Held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, the training program brought together representatives from Bell-Kenz Pharma, PSC, Department of Health (DOH), National Youth Commission, Philippine Life Saving, and Philippine Coast Guard.
Turning a Sports Tragedy Into Lifesaving Advocacy
The program draws inspiration from the experience of Philippine basketball icon Samboy Lim, who suffered cardiac arrest during an exhibition game in 2014.
His experience brought national attention to the importance of immediate medical intervention and helped inspire Republic Act No. 10871, or the Basic Life Support Training in Schools Act, commonly known as the Samboy Lim Law.
Building on this advocacy, Bell-Kenz Pharma seeks to make CPR knowledge more accessible, particularly among individuals actively involved in sports.
Patrick Larraga, Head of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs of Bell-Kenz Pharma, emphasized the importance of collaboration in building communities capable of responding to emergencies.
“We are happy to be working with the Philippine Sports Commission, the National Youth Commission, Philippine Life Saving, the Philippine Coast Guard, and the Department of Health in advancing this important initiative,” Larraga said.
“Through Sagip CPR, we hope to equip our athletes, coaches, and the broader sports community with the knowledge and confidence to respond to emergencies.”
Preparing Athletes Beyond Competition
PSC Chairman Patrick Gregorio expressed his support for the initiative, particularly its contribution to strengthening safety standards in Philippine water sports.
“If we want to grow our water sports in the country, this is what we need to do,” Gregorio said.
PSC Commissioner Walter Francis Torres likewise highlighted the importance of developing athletes who can serve as first responders during emergencies.
“Our goal is to empower the sports community to be first responders,” Torres emphasized, pointing to the value of practical emergency-response skills when immediate assistance is needed.
The Department of Health also underscored the broader public health benefits of CPR education.
According to Dr. Alexis Dimapilis, the DOH envisions having at least one member of every Filipino household equipped with basic CPR knowledge.
Creating Safer Communities and Livelihood Opportunities
Beyond cardiac emergencies, Sagip CPR incorporates drowning prevention and response training, particularly relevant to athletes participating in aquatic sports.
Philippine Life Saving, an internationally recognized organization promoting water safety and lifeguard certification, supports the initiative by sharing expertise in aquatic rescue procedures.
The organization’s programs also demonstrate how lifesaving skills can create economic opportunities.
In Panglao, Bohol, former fishermen received aquatic rescue training that helped them develop skills for employment as scuba divers in marine tourism destinations.
Danilo Salonga Jr. of Philippine Life Saving expressed the organization’s ambitious vision: “We are committed to produce 75,000 lifesavers.”
Such initiatives demonstrate how emergency-response education can contribute to safer tourism destinations while supporting sustainable livelihoods.
A Different Kind of Championship
For Bell-Kenz Pharma, the partnership represents a commitment that extends beyond healthcare products and services. It reflects the belief that lifesaving knowledge should become an essential skill across communities.
Larraga captured the advocacy’s deeper meaning by emphasizing that the greatest achievement in sports is not always measured by medals or championships.
“In sports, we celebrate the victories that happen on the playing field. But there is no greater victory than saving a life. Being a champion is not just about winning games—it is also about having the ability to save lives,” he said.
Through Sagip CPR, Bell-Kenz Pharma and its government and institutional partners hope to develop a new generation of Filipino athletes who are not only prepared to compete but also capable of protecting others when emergencies arise.
For more information, visit www.bell-kenz.net.
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