By Jel Santos
Almost 40, 000 students, teachers, and employees underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training from the Philippine Red Cross (PRC) last July 16, marking the nationwide CPR awareness campaign.
The training seeks to enable lay people to save lives in times of needs.
PRC said it deployed its staff and volunteers to conduct CPR demonstration in schools, hospitals, and barangay covered courts. It said a total of 38,135 students, teachers, and employees took part.
Richard Gordon, PRC chairman, yesterday said “he success of this campaign also contributes to our effort to build community resilience in times of disasters and emergencies. Basic CPR is an essential skill that everyone has to learn properly to help save lives when needed.”
“We also aim to spark volunteerism among the youth and encourage them to participate in humanitarian works,” he added.
The nationwide CPR campaign was made possible in partnership with the Department of Health and the Philippine Heart Center..
PRC said such was done to maximize the Republic Act 10871 or the “Basic Life Support Training Schools Act,” which requires basic education students to undergo age-appropriate basic life-saving training.
At the Department of Education (DepEd) Central Office leg of the campaign, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III joined Red Cross Youth (RCY) volunteers in performing a whole CPR cycle.
Meantime, Education Sec. Leonor Briones and Commission on Higher Education OIC Chairman Prospero De Vera III graced the CPR demonstration and bandaging techniques performed by RCY volunteers from Valenzuela during the ceremonial signing of PRC’s partnership with DepEd and CHED.