CPR Training Empowers Families Caring for Persons With Disabilities

Families and caregivers of persons with cerebral palsy gained practical lifesaving knowledge as the Sagip CPR advocacy expanded its community training program to Dasmariñas City, Cavite, emphasizing that emergency preparedness should be accessible to everyone.

On September 17, 2026, Bell-Kenz Pharma conducted Hands-Only CPR training at the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas as part of the 23rd Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week. The activity brought together persons with disabilities, family members, and caregivers for an inclusive approach to responding to cardiac emergencies.

Carrying the theme “One Heart, One Nation: Uniting the Country Thru CPR Training,” the program was organized in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CPAP), and the City Government of Dasmariñas.

The initiative recognizes an important reality: emergencies can happen anywhere, and family members or caregivers are frequently the first people available to respond. Knowing what to do during those critical first moments can help them act while professional medical assistance is on the way.

Through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, participants learned about heart health, Hands-Only CPR, and the proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“Sagip CPR is about making lifesaving knowledge accessible to more Filipinos, regardless of age or ability,” said Patrick Larraga, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Head of Bell-Kenz Pharma. He emphasized that involving persons with disabilities, families, and caregivers reinforces the idea that everyone can contribute to safer and better-prepared communities.

The program also highlighted that participating in an emergency response is not limited to physically performing CPR. Depending on their abilities, persons with disabilities can call for assistance, alert people nearby, locate an AED, or guide emergency responders to the scene.

Jayme J. Mariano, Chief of the Information, Education and Communication Division of NCDA, said providing persons with disabilities with Hands-Only CPR knowledge can build confidence and prepare them to respond effectively during emergencies.

The Dasmariñas activity forms part of Bell-Kenz Pharma’s continuing effort to promote CPR readiness across communities. By bringing training closer to families, the advocacy seeks to transform lifesaving education into practical knowledge that participants can carry beyond the venue.

“Preparedness becomes more meaningful when it is shared,” Larraga added, expressing hope that participants will bring what they learned into their homes, workplaces, and communities.

Ultimately, Sagip CPR sends a powerful message: emergency preparedness becomes stronger when everyone is given an opportunity to learn, participate, and help—because when a life is at stake, every second and every capable response can matter.