The Philippine Heart Association (PHA) has launched the “CPR-Ready Barangay” campaign. This initiative marks the 10th anniversary of the Samboy Lim Law, or Republic Act No. 10871.
The law honors the late PBA star Avelino “Samboy” Lim Jr. It aims to make CPR education a national priority. The measure requires schools to teach Hands-Only CPR to students starting in Grade 5.
Emergencies often happen without warning. They can occur at home, in schools, or on the streets. Survival rates from cardiac arrest drop rapidly without immediate help. The PHA wants ordinary citizens to act as first responders.
PHA Council on CPR Chair Dr. Don Robespierre Reyes emphasized the urgency of the situation.
“Mahalaga ang bawat segundo kapag humihinto ang pagtibok ng puso sa oras na mag-cardiac arrest ang isang tao,” Reyes said. “Kaya tinataguyod ng Philippine Heart Association o ng PHA ang CPR Ready Barangay. Ang CPR Ready Philippines movement upang hikayatin ang isang ordinaryong mamamayan maging isang bayani sa komunidad. Hindi makapagaantay ang isang biktima ng cardiac arrest ng isang ambulansya o ng isang doktor.”
Taguig City hosted the official launch on July 17. The event coincided with the 3rd National CPR Day. Activities took place at the Rizal Covered Court and across the country. PHA chapters and training centers joined the effort to spread lifesaving skills.
PHA President Dr. Aurora Muriel Gamponia stressed the importance of community training.
“When immediate CPR is provided, it gives the person a chance of survival and hopefully prevents irreversible systemic organ failure,” Gamponia said. “The sooner CPR is given, the less severe the damage and the better the chance that the person can survive and return to an active life.”
Former congressman and coach Joseller “Yeng” Guiao authored the original CPR Act. He spoke about the need to revitalize the law’s implementation.
“May isang buhay lang tayong maisalba, may isang buhay lang tayong masagip, worth it na itong batas na ito,” Guiao said. “Pero sigurado po ako, hindi lang isang buhay ang masasagip natin kapag marunong tayong mag-CPR.”
Guiao added, “May bago tayong misyon—buhayin ulit ang Samboy Lim Law. Kailangan natin itong i-CPR. Kailangan umpisahan ulit ang pagla-lobby para mapondohan na ito ng Department of Education.”
Barangay Rizal Captain Allan Jay Cruz welcomed the training initiative for his community.
“Bilang isang nurse, alam ko kung gaano kahalaga na may isang taong marunong tumulong at makapagsagip ng buhay sa oras ng emergency,” Cruz said. “Nang ilapit sa amin ang National CPR Day Training Seminar, hindi kami nagdalawang-isip na tanggapin ito dahil napakalaking biyaya para sa aming barangay. Sino pa naman ang tatanggi sa napakahalagang biyayang ito mula sa Panginoon at sa mga instrumentong ginagamit Niya para matuto tayo ng isang kasanayang makapagliligtas ng buhay.”
The PHA hopes to reach every household in the country. Dr. Jeannica Lerios-Dela Peña, Vice Chair of the PHA Council on CPR, shared this vision.
“Gusto natin lahat marunong mag-CPR. Ang pangarap natin, at least sa bawat bahay, may isang taong marunong mag-CPR,” she said. “Tayo, dito tayo sa unang bahagi ng chain of survival. Iyan ang maaari nating matutunan ngayon. Hindi kailangang maging medical personnel—lahat ay kayang matutong mag-CPR.”
PHA Secretary Dr. Luigi Pierre Segundo noted that public awareness remains a priority.
“Patuloy kaming nagkakampanya para maipaalam sa publiko ang mga bagong siyensya at tamang impormasyon tungkol sa CPR at sakit sa puso,” Segundo said. “Ang goal natin, lahat ng Pilipino marunong mag-CPR. Pero mas lalakas pa ang kampanyang ito kung maipapatupad nang buo ang Samboy Lim Law.”
Dr. Eric Oliver Sison, PHA Director III, reminded the public that saving lives is a shared responsibility. He urged all sectors to partner with the PHA to build a CPR-ready nation.
