Bell-Kenz Brings Sagip CPR to the City of Smiles Amid Intensifying Climate Change

Bell-Kenz Pharma prepares Negrenses for the possible cardiovascular risks arising from the phenomenon.

As the country braces for severe droughts and elevated temperatures, the City Government of Bacolod is strengthening its efforts to minimize the impact of the effects of climate change, especially the “Super El Niño.”

Expected to persist from September to December 2026 and through the first half of 2027, the phenomenon is expected to increase the risk of severe agricultural dry spells and water supply stress, threaten food security, water resources, energy production, public health, and the broader economy.

These issues, the Department of Health stated, could increase the risk of heat-related illnesses and noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular problems.

In response to this, Bell-Kenz Pharma brought Sagip CPR to Bacolod last October 22, where it trained around 1,240 trainees in life-saving skills, more importantly, in recognizing someone who’s experiencing a cardiac emergency amid intensifying weather conditions.

Cardiologist Dr. Joel Yap led the Sagip CPR training, which focused on recognizing cardiac emergencies, performing Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), and properly using an automated external defibrillator (AED). 

To complement the training, Bell-Kenz also set up an EnPlus Gold sampling booth, providing around 2,000 senior citizens, persons with disabilities, government employees, and other individuals a taste of multi-nutrients that is easy to drink. Apart from EnPlus, the company has also distributed samples of Civaz and BioPro. 

Strengthening cardiac emergency preparedness in Bacolod

Heat conditions force the heart to work significantly harder, pumping two to four times more blood per minute to cool the body down. This can trigger heat exhaustion, arrhythmias, heart attacks, or stroke.

Meanwhile, according to the National Library of Medicine, each rise of 1 degrees Celsius in temperature is associated with a 2.1% increase in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease.

These health risks can pose a threat to people’s livelihood, and therefore hamper the community’s economic growth. 

Through Sagip CPR, Bell-Kenz is bringing the knowledge of life-saving skills to the City of Bacolod, especially as early dry conditions are already being felt in Northern Negros.

A Visayas powerhouse

Ranking third among the country’s highly urbanized cities with the fastest-growing economies in 2025, Bacolod City has proved its place as one of the propellers of Visayas’ growth.

Bacolod City posted an economic growth rate of 6.8 percent in 2025, improving to third rank from sixth rank in the previous year. Meanwhile, it recorded a 4.83 percent growth in tourist arrivals in the same year, generating tourism-related economic contributions exceeding Php 6.5 billion.

Ensuring safety through trained first responders within the city is thus crucial to sustaining the confidence of residents, travelers, and investors.

Preparing Negros Occidental for dry conditions

In preparation for the onslaught of a prolonged and intense dry spell, Negros Occidental has prepared a comprehensive action plan, with funds already in place to implement the measures.

Its key priorities include building water impounding and rainwater catchment systems, strengthening existing farm water facilities, and exploring cloud seeding operations to boost rainfall during critical agricultural stages.

SOURCES:

Negros Occidental’s Super El Niño plan finalized. (2026, October 10). The Manila Times. https://www.manilatimes.net/2026/10/10/regions/negros-occidentals-super-el-nio-plan-finalized/2442617