MORE than 100 beneficiaries of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) are now equipped with life-saving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills following a Hands-Only CPR Training conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) – Ilocos Region through its Health Emergency Management Unit on July 17, 2026 in Barangay Tubod, Sto. Tomas, La Union.
The activity, conducted in partnership with the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office I and the Local Government Unit of Sto. Tomas, forms part of the observance of National CPR Day and National Disaster Resilience Month, reinforcing the government’s commitment to building safer, healthier, and more resilient communities.
Regional Director Dr. Helen D. Tobias emphasized that empowering ordinary citizens with CPR knowledge can spell the difference between life and death during emergencies.
“Ang cardiac arrest ay puwedeng mangyari kaninuman anumang oras at kahit saan—kahit sa loob mismo ng ating mga tahanan. Sa mga unang minuto bago dumating ang emergency medical responders, isang kapamilya, kapitbahay, o kahit sinong bystander na marunong ng Hands-Only CPR ang maaaring maging dahilan para mailigtas ang isang buhay. Kaya mahalaga na kahit isang miyembro ng bawat pamilya ay marunong magsagawa ng Hands-Only CPR. Sa oras ng emergency, ang kaalaman ay maaaring magsalba ng buhay ng isang tao.”
Tobias noted that most cardiac emergencies occur outside hospitals, making community preparedness a vital component of emergency healthcare.
“CPR is not a skill reserved for healthcare professionals. It is a life-saving skill that every Filipino can learn. By teaching parents, caregivers, and community members how to respond during cardiac emergencies, we are creating communities that are prepared to act, protect lives, and support one another during emergencies and disasters.”
She added that strengthening community emergency response complements the goals of Universal Health Care by ensuring that communities are empowered not only to access healthcare services but also to respond effectively before professional medical help arrives.
The participants, composed of more than 100 4Ps beneficiaries, took part in lectures and practical demonstrations designed to build confidence in responding to cardiac emergencies using Hands-Only CPR. The training also emphasized the importance of early recognition of cardiac arrest, immediate chest compressions, and prompt activation of emergency medical services to significantly improve a patient’s chances of survival.
The initiative reflects the Department of Health’s continuing efforts to strengthen community-based emergency preparedness and disaster resilience by ensuring that more Filipinos are equipped with the knowledge and skills to save lives when every second counts.
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