The Private Sector Alliance for Disaster Resilient Societies, ARISE Philippines, in partnership with the Department of Health (DOH) through its Health Emergency Management Bureau (HEMB), successfully conducted the National CPR Day observance on July 17, 2026, at the Atrium, SM City Fairview, with complementary activities held on July 16 in Pasig City.
The annual event, established by Proclamation No. 511 and mandated under Republic Act No. 10871 (the Samboy Lim Law), aims to equip every Filipino household with life‑saving Hands‑Only CPR skills to improve cardiac emergency survival rates nationwide.
Aligned with this year’s theme, “Estudyante’t Titser, sa Barangay, Ating mga Lifesaver!”, the event welcomed selected universities and nearby schools, barangay representatives, mall tenants, security groups, and mall goers, reflecting the theme’s focus on students and teachers as community lifesavers.
A total of 654 participants were reached through ARISE Philippines’ National CPR Day activities conducted across three locations from July 16–17, 2026. The programs combined short lectures, legal and clinical context, and practical return demonstrations led by DOH hospitals to ensure participants gained both the knowledge and the confidence to act during cardiac emergencies.
Engr. Liza B. Silerio, Co‑Chairperson of ARISE Philippines and Vice President, Corporate Compliance Group of SM Supermalls, delivered the welcome remarks, underscoring the importance of training not only for workers but also for their families, citing her own example of bringing her grandchild to participate.
Director Bernadett P. Velasco (DOH‑HEMB) delivered an inspirational message, noting the Philippines’ low survival rates during the transfer from the scene to the hospital and stressing that Hands‑Only CPR empowers any bystander to make a critical difference.
Return demonstration sessions were facilitated by teams from DOH hospitals: Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center, Quirino Memorial Medical Center, Amang Rodriguez Memorial Medical Center, Dr. Jose N. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital and Sanitarium, and San Lazaro Hospital. These sessions focused on accessible, high‑impact Hands‑Only CPR techniques suitable for lay responders.
The pre‑observance activity on July 16, 2026, was organized in partnership with the Pasig City DRRM Office led by Mr. Bryant Meryll Ruiz Q. Wong to extend reach into local government emergency preparedness efforts.
The joint observance reinforced the national priority to mainstream simple, evidence‑based lifesaving actions across communities. To date, ARISE Philippines has trained more than 3,000 individuals through 23 batches of Hands-Only CPR since 2025 and remains committed to continuing the cascade of DOH’s Hands‑Only CPR program among private sector partners and community stakeholders, amplifying reach through workplaces, malls, local government units, and civil society networks.
About National CPR Day
National CPR Day is observed every July 17 in the Philippines pursuant to Proclamation No. 511 and Republic Act No. 10871 (Samboy Lim Law). The day promotes public education and training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, with emphasis on Hands‑Only CPR for lay responders to support improved survival outcomes during cardiac emergencies.
About ARISE Philippines
ARISE Philippines is the national chapter of the ARISE Global network, a UNDRR-partnered private sector alliance advancing business resilience and disaster risk reduction. For more, visit the newly launched arise.ph.
About DOH‑HEMB
The Department of Health’s Health Emergency Management Bureau leads national health emergency preparedness, response, and capacity building, including clinical guidance and community‑level training for life‑saving interventions.
