The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) looks forward to a partnership with the Philippine Heart Association (PHA). A partnership to integrate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) guidance and training into the national Unified 911 emergency response system. The initiative aims to empower emergency dispatchers and first responders with critical lifesaving skills. The initiative was announced during the World Restart A Heart Day (WRAHD) media conference. This collaboration seeks to transform the 911 system into a more robust lifeline. It ensures that victims of sudden cardiac arrest receive immediate and effective care from the moment a call is made.
The proposal was a key highlight of the PHA’s “Usapang Puso sa Puso” WRAHD Media Conference. It took place at Victorino’s Restaurant on 4 November 2025. The event brought together top officials to champion the vision of a “CPR-Ready and 911-Ready Philippines.” Emergency 911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo expressed strong support for the collaboration.
“I will suggest to the 911 Commission to include the Philippine Heart Association because I was surprised at how important CPR really is when we heard about it,” Fajardo stated. He emphasized that this partnership will help ensure that “no emergency is met with hesitation—only readiness.”
The move aligns with significant advancements in the country’s emergency services. The Unified 911 Program, launched on 11 September, consolidated over 30 hotlines into a single, accessible number. With regional call centers now handling calls in dialects like Ilocano, Cebuano, and Bicolano, the system has become more inclusive. This evolution has led to a dramatic leap in efficiency. A leap from a 48 percent success rate in 2024 to an impressive 96.56 percent in 2025, handling 1.7 million calls effectively.
A crucial component of creating a CPR-ready nation lies within the education sector. Leaders at the conference underscored the pivotal role of the Department of Education (DepEd). With a projected 27.6 million students and 875,514 teachers for the school year 2025-2026. DepEd has the potential to create a massive network of citizen first responders. If every student from Grade 5 onwards is trained in basic CPR, they will gain lifesaving skills. If every teacher is trained in basic CPR, they will gain lifesaving skills. The CPR Act or Samboy Lim Law mandates this training, providing them with the power to save a life.
The impact of this training was illustrated by JC Sumbad’s heroic act. He is a 16-year-old high school student from Baguio. Sumbad used his CPR knowledge to save an older person who had collapsed. This proves that young, trained individuals can make a critical difference during a medical emergency. His story serves as a powerful testament to the effectiveness of widespread CPR education in schools.
The conference reinforced a collective call to action. The call was to fully implement the CPR Act. Another aim was to pass the pending Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Bill. Continuing support for the Unified 911 system was also emphasized. The DILG, PHA, DOH, Philippine College of Emergency Medicine (PCEM), and Philippine Red Cross have collaborated. Their goal is clear. They aim to build a nation where every Filipino can be a lifesaver. This united front is backed by over 230,000 police personnel. It is also supported by 37,000 firefighters and EMS responders. Additionally, 400,000 Barangay Health Workers are involved. Together, they are taking a decisive step towards making every community CPR-, AED-, and 911-ready.
For more information about the CPR-ReadyPH initiative, please visit the official website of the Philippine Heart Association. Find out how to get involved. Together, we can save lives and ensure every call for help is answered. Every fading heartbeat will now have a chance to be revived.
DILG Eyes Partnership with PHA to Boost 911 Lifesaving Capabilities
