Initiative champions disability inclusion in community emergency preparedness during Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week

Recognizing the vital role families and caregivers play during emergencies, Bell-Kenz Pharma brought its flagship Sagip CPR advocacy to Dasmariñas City on September 17, 2026, through Hands-Only CPR training for persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers as part of the 23rd Cerebral Palsy Awareness and Protection Week.

Held under the theme “One Heart, One Nation: Uniting the Country Thru CPR Training,” the initiative was conducted at the Kolehiyo ng Lungsod ng Dasmariñas in coordination with the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), Cerebral Palsied Association of the Philippines, Inc. (CPAP), and the City Government of Dasmariñas.

More than teaching a lifesaving skill, the training seeks to make emergency preparedness more inclusive and accessible, particularly for families caring for individuals with cerebral palsy. Caregivers are often among the first people present when an emergency happens at home or in the community, placing them in a crucial position to recognize a cardiac emergency, call for help, and provide immediate assistance while waiting for professional responders.

Participants were equipped with practical knowledge on heart health, Hands-Only CPR, and the proper use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) through lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on return demonstrations.

“ Sagip CPR is about making lifesaving knowledge accessible to more Filipinos, regardless of age or ability. By bringing Hands-Only CPR training to persons with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, we are reinforcing the idea that everyone has a role to play in building safer and more prepared communities,” said Patrick Larraga, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs Head of Bell-Kenz Pharma.

Making Emergency Preparedness Inclusive
For Jayme J. Mariano, Chief of the Information, Education and Communication Division (IECD) of the National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA), the partnership highlights the importance of ensuring that persons with disabilities are part of community emergency preparedness efforts.

“ The initiative emphasizes that disability does not prevent individuals from playing an important role during an emergency.  Providing them with Hands-Only CPR knowledge not only builds confidence, but also prepares them to respond quickly and effectively when an emergency happens,” Mariano said.

Depending on their abilities, participants can help by calling for assistance, alerting nearby responders, locating an AED, or guiding emergency personnel to the scene.

According to the Department of Health, cerebral palsy affects an estimated 1 to 2 percent of the Philippine population, or around one million Filipinos. For families and caregivers, bringing emergency preparedness education closer to the home and community can help ensure that lifesaving knowledge is within reach when it is needed most.
From Training Room to Community
The Dasmariñas training forms part of Bell-Kenz Pharma’s continuing Sagip CPR advocacy to promote a culture of CPR readiness and shared responsibility for community safety.

By involving persons with disabilities together with their families and caregivers, the program aims to extend the impact of CPR education beyond the training venue—into homes, workplaces, and communities.

“ Preparedness becomes more meaningful when it is shared. Through Sagip CPR, we hope that what participants learn today will not stay in the training room—it will be carried into their homes, workplaces, and communities, where it can potentially make a difference when every second counts,” Larraga added.

For more information about Bell-Kenz Sagip CPR, visit www.bell-kenz.net.