Private Sector-Led Capacity Building: ARISE Philippines Launches 2026 Hands-Only CPR Campaign

News and Updates

ARISE Philippines has formally commenced its 2026 Hands-Only CPR Campaign, reinforcing private sector engagement in disaster risk reduction (DRR) and contributing to national resilience-building efforts in alignment with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026–2030.

Tenants and security personnel of SM City Marikina conduct their Hands-Only CPR return demonstration following the discussion session, underscoring the importance of equipping frontline teams with life-saving skills especially in mall settings where high foot traffic requires rapid and coordinated emergency response.

The campaign is implemented in partnership with the Department of Health – Health Emergency Management Bureau (DOH-HEMB), ensuring alignment with nationally recognized emergency response protocols and public health standards. The training was further supported by instructors from the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) National Headquarters, who provided technical guidance and supervised return demonstrations, strengthening the quality and practical application of life-saving skills delivered during the sessions.

The initiative is implemented under ARISE Philippines’ Capacity Building for Resilience and Sustainability strategic program, one of the network’s core pillars supporting risk-informed and prevention-oriented action among businesses and institutions. The campaign strengthens emergency preparedness at organizational and community levels by equipping participants with practical life-saving competencies that can be immediately applied in cases of sudden cardiac arrest and related emergencies.

In 2025, ARISE Philippines conducted nine (9) Hands-Only CPR training sessions across Luzon and the Visayas, laying a strong operational foundation for scaling the initiative nationwide. As of early 2026, the program has trained a cumulative total of 2,368 individuals, including employees, security personnel, institutional staff, and community partners.

Mall Operations teams of SM City North EDSA take part in the Hands-Only CPR return demonstration, reinforcing the critical role of mall management and frontline personnel in ensuring immediate emergency response and public safety within high-traffic commercial spaces.

The 2026 rollout builds on this momentum through a phased and strategic expansion approach to ensure quality delivery, sustainability of outcomes, and strengthened local coordination. Mindanao is identified as a strategic next phase of implementation as the campaign progresses, supporting inclusive national coverage.

From a policy standpoint, the campaign demonstrates how investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience generates measurable impact by translating strategic commitments into concrete capacity development at both institutional and workforce levels. Through structured, competency-based skills training, the initiative strengthens human capital, enhances organizational preparedness systems, and reinforces risk-informed practices within the private sector.

Through structured demonstrations and supervised return demonstrations, the campaign enhances practical competencies while fostering a culture of prevention, readiness, and shared responsibility within the private sector. By integrating emergency response capacity into business environments and everyday public spaces, ARISE Philippines continues to align its work with ARISE global priorities on resilience, sustainability, and private sector leadership in DRR.

As implementation advances in 2026, ARISE Philippines calls on businesses, local governments, and sectoral stakeholders to collaborate in scaling preventive action and institutionalizing life-saving skills as part of broader resilience and sustainability strategies.

Through sustained partnerships and risk-informed action, ARISE Philippines remains committed to strengthening national disaster preparedness and advancing a safer, more resilient Philippines.

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